The Study of American Government

This book is called American Government: Institutions & Policies by James Q. Wilson. This book was published by D.C Heath and Company. This book is geared towards the student who wants to study American Government pre-9-11.
The author, James Q. Wilson was a teacher at Harvard University and the University of California. He also worked in many advisory posts within the Federal government.

I wrote this text in the conviction that students want to know not only who governs but also what difference it makes who governs.

This is an introductory book into political science in America. To understand the policies in America you have to understand who makes the policies that are passed and how they go about getting the policies together. The politics in America are shaped by past events. We are studying the American Government pre 9-11 where needed I will show the changes in the American Government.
The Constitution of America is still one of the most powerful works that drive the politics of the nation. In the review of such information we will connect it to common day policies and laws. This will be in such a case of compare and contrast lessons.

There are over 642 pages in this book. There are 22 chapters in this book and they are split up between 5 units.

Part I- The American System

Chapter 1- The Study of American Government

If you are an American working class person you can see the effect that the American government have on your life. Look at how much you pay for Federal taxes. The federal government have made cultural changes in the day-to-day lifestyle of American citizens.

Formal authority is the power exercise by a governmental office. In America, everyone holds political power if they can get their issues in front of the Supreme Court and/or passed through the House and Senate.
When a private issue becomes a government agenda that is power at work.

People who exercises political power may or may not have the authority to do so. By authority we mean the right to use power.

The constitution is a source of legitimate authority in the U.S.A

Much of American political history has been a struggle over what constitutes legitimate authority.

All governmental organizations must be somewhat democratic to be considered legitimate.
Democracy should serve the real interests of its citizens. Democracy should also serve “the many” rather than “the few”. Democracy should allow its people to arrive at political decisions by the vote.
Competition in government seats and roles are signs of a representative government. Elective offices are a way for citizens, labor unions, industry and private organizations to pick leadership.

Source Code

Work Cited

Wilson Q, James

International Standard Book Number: 0-669-07679-1

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 85-60972

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