6. Subnational nominations and elections
L. Sandy Maisel
in American Political Parties and Elections: A Very Short Introduction (2nd edn)
‘Subnational nominations and elections’ examines how candidates are selected to run for office below the level of the presidency, and how they run in general election campaigns. The ...
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4. On the floor
Donald A. Ritchie
in The U.S. Congress: A Very Short Introduction (2nd edn)
“On the floor” examines the differences in the practices of the House and Senate, which are critical for understanding the legislative process. Each day’s session begins with “morning ...
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2. Campaigns and constituents
Donald A. Ritchie
in The U.S. Congress: A Very Short Introduction (2nd edn)
Elected locally, candidates for Congress go to Washington to make national policy. “Campaigns and constituents” explores how voting on major legislation often means a choice between ...
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3. Congress and its bicameralism
Richard M. Valelly
in American Politics: A Very Short Introduction
‘Congress and its bicameralism’ explores an institution that defines how the Senate's party leaders bargain with each other: the filibuster. A senator or a group of senators “filibuster” ...
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10. Politics in the new Gilded Age
Richard M. Valelly
in American Politics: A Very Short Introduction
‘Politics in the new Gilded Age’ explores how the debate over unequal riches has migrated into party politics. Democratic politicians take stronger positions against income inequality than ...
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5. Checks and balances
Donald A. Ritchie
in The U.S. Congress: A Very Short Introduction (2nd edn)
Legislative results rank high in measuring the success of a president. But as “Checks and balances” makes clear, Congress is sensitive to its independent role as part of government. While ...
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3. Communist
Terrell Carver
in Engels: A Very Short Introduction
‘Communist’ looks at Engels' study of the working class in England and his development of communism. After being exposed to communist and socialist ideas in Berlin and Cologne, Engels ...
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1. Elements of American democracy
Richard M. Valelly
in American Politics: A Very Short Introduction
In all, the United States has a very large number of political and governmental players who are constantly busy with politicking, judging, and administering. ‘Elements of American ...
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The U.S. Congress: A Very Short Introduction (2nd edn)
Donald A. Ritchie
The U.S. Congress: A Very Short Introduction provides an analytical insight into the work of Congress. The framers of the Constitution intended Congress to be the preeminent branch of ...
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1. The great compromise
Donald A. Ritchie
in The U.S. Congress: A Very Short Introduction (2nd edn)
“The great compromise” examines how the constitutional convention shaped the nature of Congress. This resulted in a proportionally representative House of Representatives and an equality of ...
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6. The Capitol complex
Donald A. Ritchie
in The U.S. Congress: A Very Short Introduction (2nd edn)
“The Capitol complex” describes the multitude of office buildings linked by tunnels that have steadily expanded to accommodate the extended community of senators, representatives, staff, ...
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1. The context of American elections and political parties
L. Sandy Maisel
in American Political Parties and Elections: A Very Short Introduction (2nd edn)
‘The context of American elections and political parties’ explains the framework under which elections are run in the United States. This is laid out in the Constitution, which outlines the ...
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American Political Parties and Elections: A Very Short Introduction (2nd edn)
L. Sandy Maisel
American Political Parties and Elections: A Very Short Introduction examines the electoral process in the United States and explains why it is widely misunderstood. Why is participation in ...
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2. A brief history of American political parties
L. Sandy Maisel
in American Political Parties and Elections: A Very Short Introduction (2nd edn)
‘A brief history of American political parties’ traces the development of US politics from the initial emergence of parties as the Founders differed on policies they believed served the ...
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American Politics: A Very Short Introduction
Richard M. Valelly
American Politics: A Very Short Introduction introduces the vital elements of American politics. Using an historical-institutional approach, it explains how the American ...
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8. Political parties and democratic choice
Richard M. Valelly
in American Politics: A Very Short Introduction
‘Political parties and democratic choice’ explores the development of political parties and how they shaped citizenship. Several defining elements of party competition emerged between ...
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9. The partisan revival
Richard M. Valelly
in American Politics: A Very Short Introduction
Political historians devised the term “party period” for the nineteenth-century heyday of American political parties, from roughly 1840 to 1900. ‘The partisan revival’ argues that the ...
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The American Presidency: A Very Short Introduction (2nd edn)
Charles O. Jones
The Founding Fathers were dedicated to the project of creating an American government both functional and incapable of devolving into tyranny. To do this, they intentionally decentralized ...
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5. Connecting to and leading the government
Charles O. Jones
in The American Presidency: A Very Short Introduction (2nd edn)
Presidents face numerous challenges as they endeavor to meet expectations of leadership beyond given powers. “Connecting to and leading the government” shows how the presidency manages the ...
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1. Inventing the presidency
Charles O. Jones
in The American Presidency: A Very Short Introduction (2nd edn)
The creative work involved in writing the Constitution of the United States in Philadelphia in 1787 has been interpreted and invoked in political and policy debate ever since. “Inventing ...
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