Includes bibliographical references and index.

Government and the people in a polarized society -- Beliefs, values and American society -- Constitutional government -- Federalism and intergovernmental relations -- American political parties and the politics of polarization -- Elections and political participation -- The media and American politics -- Congress I: the people's branch? -- Congress II : functions and powers : the broken branch? -- The presidency I : powers and selection -- The presidency II : the president as chief executive -- Bureaucratic power : federal departments and agencies -- The security state -- Organized interests : the real power? -- The supreme court and judicial politics -- Regulating morality : civil rights, liberties and the conscience issues -- Social policy in America : self-reliance and state dependence -- Managing economic change -- Environmental politics -- The American world role -- The American political system in an uncertain world.