Table Of ContentA Letter from the Author Preface Acknowledgments CHAPTER 1 Critical Thinking and Political Culture: Becoming a Responsible Citizen CHAPTER 2 Constitutional Democracy: Promoting Liberty and Self-Government CHAPTER 3 Federalism: Forging a Nation CHAPTER 4 Civil Liberties: Protecting Individual Rights CHAPTER 5 Equal Rights: Struggling Toward Fairness CHAPTER 6 Public Opinion and Political Socialization: Shaping the People's Voice CHAPTER 7 Political Participation: Activating the Popular Will CHAPTER 8 Political Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns: Defining the Voters' Choice CHAPTER 9 Interest Groups: Organizing for Influence CHAPTER 10 The News Media and the Internet: Communicating Politics CHAPTER 11 Congress: Balancing National Goals and Local Interests CHAPTER 12 The Presidency: Leading the Nation CHAPTER 13 The Federal Bureaucracy: Administering the Government CHAPTER 14 The Federal Judicial System: Interpreting the Law CHAPTER 15 Economic and Environmental Policy: Contributing to Prosperity CHAPTER 16 Income, Welfare, and Education Policy: Providing for Personal Security CHAPTER 17 Foreign Policy: Protecting the National Interest APPENDICES GLOSSARY NOTES INDEX
SynopsisTom Patterson's We the People is a concise approach to American government, emphasizing critical thinking through questions and examples relevant to today's students. This exceptionally readable text provides opportunities to engage with the political process through tools that help students learn how to think about politics, utilizing digital resources that connect learners with the material in a personalized way. Each chapter features provocative boxes that ask students to think critically about contemporary questions, including How the U.S. Differs and How the 50 States Differ and Fake or Fact? , all of which provide tools for students to assess data and claims for themselves. Finally, each chapter includes suggestions on how the student can participate as a citizen of our democracy. The suggestions are categorized by the founding principle they embody--liberty, equality, or self-government--reinforcing the relevance of these principles today.