The Constitution has governed the United States since 1789, but many Americans are not aware of the structural rules that govern the oldest democracy in the world. Important public policy challenges require a knowledgeable, interested citizenry able to address the issues that represent the rich pageantry of American society. Issues such as climate change, national debt, poverty, pandemics, income inequality, and more can be addressed sufficiently if citizens play an active role in their own republic. Collectively, citizens are vulnerable to exploitation and manipulation if we place limits on our individual political knowledge. A more informed, engaged citizenry can best rise to the great policy challenges of contemporary society and beyond. Brian L. Fife provides readers with essential information on all aspects of American politics, showing them how to use political knowledge to shape the future of the republic. Activist citizens are the key to making the United States a more vibrant democracy. Fife equips citizens and would-be citizens with the tools and understanding they need to engage fully in the political process. At the end of each chapter, he analyzes why citizenship matters and how citizens can use that chapter’s material in their own lives. Fife also provides readers with a citizen homework section that presents web links to further explore issues raised in each chapter.

In the Preamble of our Constitution, our Founding Fathers stated one of its purposes as being to "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity." Have you felt lately that the "Blessings of Liberty" are slipping away from "ourselves and our Posterity?" This book was written as a primer to help the reader discover the "Seeds of Birth" of our Constitutional Republic. It briefly outlines how we became a Constitutional Republic and the elements of "Liberty" placed in our Constitution by our Founding Fathers. It then helps the reader discover the "Seeds of Destruction" that have and are conspiring to deny those "Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity." If you have a love for our Republic and would like to have a fundamental understanding of these topics, this is the book for you. As the reader becomes familiar with the basic knowledge within these pages, they will be able to recognize the perils that confront "We the People" as a nation. With this knowledge the reader will then be able to join in the effort to preserve the American Dream for succeeding generations. May God Bless and Save the United States of America!

Written in a lively, narrative style and presenting a provocative point-of-view, this book gets to the heart of Americans' frustrations with our government. Acknowledging that cynicism tends to make people withdraw from civic life, this book examines why our government can seem so unsatisfactory, identifying the heart of the American political system: strong democratic aspirations among our citizens clashing with the republican constitutional foundations on which the country is based.DEMOCRATIC ASPIRATIONS, REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATIONS; POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS: A HELP OR HINDRANCE TO DEMOCRACY?; GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS; WHAT GOVERNMENT DOES: PUBLIC POLICIES.Anyone interested in understanding our government and why Americans are cynical about government.

Reading between the lines: America's implicit Constitution -- Heeding the deed: America's enacted Constitution -- Hearing the people: America's lived Constitution -- Confronting modern case law: America's "warrented" Constitution -- Putting precedent in its place: America's doctrinal Constitution -- Honoring the icons: America's symbolic Constitution -- "Remembering the ladies" : America's feminist Constitution -- Following Washington's lead: America's "Georgian" Constitution -- Interpreting government practices: America's institutional Constitution -- Joining the party: America's partisan Constitution -- Doing the right thing: America's conscientious Constitution -- Envisioning the future: America's unfinished Constitution -- Afterward -- Appendix: America's written Constitution.

Classic Books Library presents this brand new edition of “The Federalist Papers”, a collection of separate essays and articles compiled in 1788 by Alexander Hamilton. Following the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776, the governing doctrines and policies of the States lacked cohesion. “The Federalist”, as it was previously known, was constructed by American statesman Alexander Hamilton, and was intended to catalyse the ratification of the United States Constitution. Hamilton recruited fellow statesmen James Madison Jr., and John Jay to write papers for the compendium, and the three are known as some of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Alexander Hamilton (c. 1755–1804) was an American lawyer, journalist and highly influential government official. He also served as a Senior Officer in the Army between 1799-1800 and founded the Federalist Party, the system that governed the nation’s finances. His contributions to the Constitution and leadership made a significant and lasting impact on the early development of the nation of the United States.

"Learn About the United States" is intended to help permanent residents gain a deeper understanding of U.S. history and government as they prepare to become citizens. The product presents 96 short lessons, based on the sample questions from which the civics portion of the naturalization test is drawn. An audio CD that allows students to listen to the questions, answers, and civics lessons read aloud is also included. For immigrants preparing to naturalize, the chance to learn more about the history and government of the United States will make their journey toward citizenship a more meaningful one.