Books in Inside American Politics series

Lobbyists have a lot of political power, and they're often in the news. However, the role of lobbyists is not a focus of many social studies or civics classes, so students don't often get a full picture of who these people are and how they influence policies that affect Americans' daily lives. Readers are invited to learn more about lobbyists as they explore informative text on this important political topic. Full-color photographs and sidebars enhance the reading experience, and discussion questions help readers sharpen their critical-thinking skills as they closely examine different points of view about lobbyists.

Americans are not invulnerable to factual information. They do not 'backfire'; facts do not make them less accurate. Instead, they become more accurate, even when corrections target co-partisans. Corrections of fake news yield similar results. Among Republicans, Trump's misstatements are less susceptible to corrections than identical misstatements attributed to other Republicans. While we do not observe facts affecting attitudes, multiple instances of misinformation can increase approval of the responsible politician - but corrections can reduce approval by similar amounts. While corrections do not eliminate false beliefs, they reduce the share of inaccurate beliefs among subjects in this study nearly in half.

Political action committees, campaign finance reform, and Super PACs are often discussed on the news, but the reasons why they are important are often difficult to understand. Through accessible language and relevant examples and photographs, readers discover the history of political action committees and how they continue to influence American politics. Discussion questions are included to strengthen critical-thinking skills, and sidebars encourage readers to see how individual citizens can continue to play a part in the political process even though they don't have the financial influence of political action committees.

Filibusters are often covered by the news media, but what is their purpose? How long can they last, and what are the rules that must be followed during a filibuster? Readers discover the answers to these and other common questions about this unique part of American politics as they explore some of the most famous filibusters in U.S. history, including recent filibusters by Wendy Davis and Nancy Pelosi. Sidebars encourage readers to become more active citizens, and discussion questions allow young people to examine their own opinions about the American political process.

The Supreme Court is tasked with interpreting the Constitution. How do they do this, and how do the decisions they make impact the lives of ordinary American citizens? The answers to these and other important questions about the role of the Supreme Court are found through accessible text supplemented by detailed sidebars, full-color photographs, and discussion questions designed to strengthen critical-thinking skills. Supreme Court decisions have impacted marriage laws, civil rights, and many other parts of American life throughout the country's history, and understanding these decisions helps readers become more informed citizens.

Although the U.S. Constitution set up a system of checks and balances, the president can sometimes act without the approval of Congress. When the president issues an executive order, they act on their own to manage the federal government, and this can affect many parts of life in the United States-from immigration policies to the military. How much power does the president actually have? Readers explore the answer to this question as they learn about the history of executive orders. Sidebars and discussion questions are included to encourage readers to think critically about this essential current events topic.

Political action committees, campaign finance reform, and Super PACs are often discussed on the news, but the reasons why they are important are often difficult to understand. Through accessible language and relevant examples and photographs, readers discover the history of political action committees and how they continue to influence American politics. Discussion questions are included to strengthen critical-thinking skills, and sidebars encourage readers to see how individual citizens can continue to play a part in the political process even though they don't have the financial influence of political action committees.

Filibusters are often covered by the news media, but what is their purpose? How long can they last, and what are the rules that must be followed during a filibuster? Readers discover the answers to these and other common questions about this unique part of American politics as they explore some of the most famous filibusters in U.S. history, including recent filibusters by Wendy Davis and Nancy Pelosi. Sidebars encourage readers to become more active citizens, and discussion questions allow young people to examine their own opinions about the American political process.

Lobbyists have a lot of political power, and they're often in the news. However, the role of lobbyists is not a focus of many social studies or civics classes, so students don't often get a full picture of who these people are and how they influence policies that affect Americans' daily lives. Readers are invited to learn more about lobbyists as they explore informative text on this important political topic. Full-color photographs and sidebars enhance the reading experience, and discussion questions help readers sharpen their critical-thinking skills as they closely examine different points of view about lobbyists.

Although the U.S. Constitution set up a system of checks and balances, the president can sometimes act without the approval of Congress. When the president issues an executive order, they act on their own to manage the federal government, and this can affect many parts of life in the United States-from immigration policies to the military. How much power does the president actually have? Readers explore the answer to this question as they learn about the history of executive orders. Sidebars and discussion questions are included to encourage readers to think critically about this essential current events topic.

The Supreme Court is tasked with interpreting the Constitution. How do they do this, and how do the decisions they make impact the lives of ordinary American citizens? The answers to these and other important questions about the role of the Supreme Court are found through accessible text supplemented by detailed sidebars, full-color photographs, and discussion questions designed to strengthen critical-thinking skills. Supreme Court decisions have impacted marriage laws, civil rights, and many other parts of American life throughout the country's history, and understanding these decisions helps readers become more informed citizens.