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Introduction to American politics and government, intended for students of political science. Provides a critical examination of both political institutions and political behavior.
Analyzing major political institutions such as Congress, the courts, the presidency, and the media, this book chronicles how the interests of affluent Americans-particularly business, professional, and corporate interests-dominate over those of "average" citizens. Anthony R. DiMaggio examines American political behavior, as it relates to lobbying, citizen activism, media consumption, and voting, to demonstrate how the public is often misinformed and manipulated regarding major political and economic matters. However, record public distrust of the government and the increasing popularity of mass protests suggest that most Americans are deeply unhappy with the political status quo, and many are willing to fight for change. Political Power in America details this interplay between a political system dominated by the affluent few and the rise of mass political distrust and protest. It offers information and tools needed to better understand the democratic deficit in American politics, while providing opportunities for discussing what we might do to address the mounting crisis of declining democracy.
"The book is polemical—but no less interesting for that. In one respect, the book can be read as an introductory text on US politics: it is focused, comprehensive, and—with more than 100 pages of notes—very well-researched. It is clearly the work of someone with a long-term interest in and knowledge of the topic. DiMaggio's book is also a well-argued and comprehensive polemical diatribe against the corporate elites who dictate political (and economic) outcomes in the USA." — Democratization
"An original and refreshing introductory text on the United States political system. The originality, coupled with an accessibility of critical concepts, makes this book truly one of a kind." — Mark Major, author of The Unilateral Presidency and the News Media: The Politics of Framing Executive Power
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Introduction: A Class Analysis of the American Political System
1. Theories of Government, Early American History, and the Politics of Class Conflict
2. A Constitution in Question: How Democratic is the Founding Document?
3. Federalism and the Struggle for Democracy
4. Interest Groups and the Upper-Class Perversion of Political Power
5. Congress: The Dysfunctional Branch
6. The Executive Branch: Political Power, the Imperial Presidency, and the Threat to
Democracy
7. The Bureaucracy and Rising Threats to the Common Good
8. The Courts and Judicial Process: Ideology, Conflict, and Class Elitism
9. Political Parties: A Crisis of Public Confidence
10. Elections and Voting: Electoral Capture by Elites
11. Politics and the Media: Bias in Pursuit of Elite Agendas
12. Public Opinion and Ideology: The Rise of Right-Wing Politics and Mass Resistance
13. Civil Liberties and the Quest for Corporate Personhood
14. Civil Rights and the Fight for Equality
15. Economic Policy: Growing Inequality and Business Power in Politics
16. Imperialism and U.S. Foreign Policy: Protecting Business Interests Abroad
Conclusion: Where Do We Go from Here?
Notes
Index