All the tools students need to understand American politics—in a briefer text. American Politics Today helps students understand the debates and controversies that they encounter in the news by emphasizing conflict and compromise as natural parts of politics. The Essentials Edition includes all the learning tools from the full book—including highly visual “How It Works” infographics and an approach organized around Chapter Goals—in a text that is 30% shorter.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS TODAY: THE ESSENTIALS 2011-2012, International Edition inspires students to join the exciting process of being active, informed citizens. Bardes, Shelley, and Schmidt provide an unbiased and concisely organized overview of this essential subject, updated with complete Election 2010 coverage and the latest on the economic downturn and recovery policy. The text's fundamental theme continues to be the importance of participating in active citizenship, emphasizing continual critical thinking about political issues, and encouraging students to become involved in the political process. With a keen understanding of the needs and interests of today's students, the authors incorporate abundant current examples, including increased coverage of the impact of the Internet and other media, to stimulate learning and excitement. The text is redesigned for even greater reader appeal.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS TODAY is known nationwide for its balanced, unbiased, and up-to-date coverage of constitutional, governmental, political, social, and economic structures and their processes. AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS TODAY encourages students to experience the excitement that comes with being an engaged and informed citizen and provides them with the tools they need to get involved. In this new edition, the authors offer even more examples of students who have made a difference.

Show students how politics really works through a focus on conflict and compromise.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS TODAY: THE ESSENTIALS 2011-2012 EDITION inspires students to join the exciting process of being active, informed citizens. Bardes, Shelley, and Schmidt provide an unbiased and concisely organized overview of this essential subject, updated with complete Election 2010 coverage and the latest on the economic downturn and recovery policy. The text’s fundamental theme continues to be the importance of participating in active citizenship, emphasizing continual critical thinking about political issues, and encouraging students to become involved in the political process. With a keen understanding of the needs and interests of today’s students, the authors incorporate abundant current examples, including increased coverage of the impact of the Internet and other media, to stimulate learning and excitement. The text is redesigned for even greater reader appeal. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS TODAY: THE ESSENTIALS 2011-2012 EDITION inspires students to join the exciting process of being active, informed citizens. Bardes, Shelley, and Schmidt provide an unbiased and concisely organized overview of this essential subject, updated with complete Election 2010 coverage and the latest on the economic downturn and recovery policy. The text's fundamental theme continues to be the importance of participating in active citizenship, emphasizing continual critical thinking about political issues, and encouraging students to become involved in the political process. With a keen understanding of the needs and interests of today's students, the authors incorporate abundant current examples, including increased coverage of the impact of the Internet and other media, to stimulate learning and excitement. The text is redesigned for even greater reader appeal.