Author: Samuel Kernell Publisher: SAGE ISBN: 1452226288 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 753
Book Description
This collection examines the strategic behavior of key players in American politics from the Founding Fathers to the Super PACs, by showing that political actors, though motivated by their own interests, are governed by the Constitution, the law, and institutional rules, as well as influenced by the strategies of others.
Author: Samuel Kernell Publisher: C Q Press College ISBN: Category : Political Science Languages : en Pages : 708
Book Description
Conveying how the American political system is both extraordinary and complex, the authors explain in a simple and straightforward way that there is a rationale embedded in the U.S. political system. This underlying logic helps students see why political institutions are structured the way they are, and why the politicians who occupy them, and the citizens who monitor and respond to their actions, behave as they do. Kernell and Jacobson analyze political institutions and practices as imperfect solutions to problems facing people who need to act collectively. Throughout the text, the authors highlight these collective action problems, including the conflict over values and interests and the costs associated with finding and agreeing on a course of action. They describe how the choices made to resolve problems at one moment affect politics in the future, long after the original issues have faded. They emphasize the strategic nature of political action, from the Framers' careful drafting of the Constitution to contemporary politicians' strategic efforts to shape policy according to their own preferences.
Author: Samuel Kernell Publisher: CQ Press ISBN: 1506358632 Category : Political Science Languages : en Pages : 1438
Book Description
This new edition of the bestselling The Logic of American Politics is thoroughly updated and covers the dramatic 2016 election results with a thorough analysis of those results. It arms students with a revised introduction to institutional design that makes concepts such as command, veto, agenda control, voting rules, and delegation easier for students to master and apply, so they clearly see how the American political system was devised and why it works the way it does. Authors Samuel Kernell, Gary C. Jacobson, Thad Kousser, and Lynn Vavreck build students' critical thinking through a simple yet powerful idea: politics is about solving collective action problems. This new edition continues to delve into partisan differences among voters and in government and highlight the increasingly partisan nature of campaigns. By exploring issues such as the Affordable Care Act’s troubled implementation, the increasing legalization of marijuana and same-sex marriage in the states, and the debate over immigration, the book illustrates how the institutional structures of government, federalism, and even campaigns can help voters make sense of their choices. The concluding chapter on policymaking examines the noticeable logic that guides American policy, as shown through issues like health care reform, global climate change, and the federal budget. Students glean insights into the sources of policy problems, identify possible solutions, and realize why agreement on those solutions is often so hard to achieve.
Author: Samuel Kernell Publisher: CQ Press ISBN: 9781933116723 Category : Political Science Languages : en Pages : 692
Book Description
Without ever losing sight of the classics, Kernell and Smith take a fresh look at the implications of political science for our understanding of recent events and trends. This balance of the classic with the contemporary-along with careful editing to retain the flow of original pieces-distinguishes this highly regarded reader. Drawing from a variety of sources and perspectives, readings examine the strategic behavior of key players in American politics. These 44 selections show that political actors, though motivated by their own interests, are governed by the Constitution, the law, and institutional rules, as well as influenced by the strategies of others. Thanks to feedback from adopters, 26 readings are back by popular demand, while 17 new or revised selections offer readable and current analyses, 5 of which have been written specifically for this volume. Kernell and Smith supply helpful headnotes for each reading, establishing important context and rationale for selections
Author: Samuel Kernell Publisher: ISBN: 9781608718221 Category : Political Science Languages : en Pages :
Book Description
Logic now with a free supplement analyzing the midterm elections. Coming in December, this valuable supplement will provide an insider's guide to the 2010 midterm elections. When placing your order, be sure to use the ISBN on this page to ensure that your students receive the supplement packaged FREE with their textbook. The Logic of American Politics, 4th Edition The logic of American politics? Are those snickers from your students as they deride the phrase an oxymoron? By helping them see that political institutions and practices are imperfect solutions to collective action problems, distinguished scholars Samuel Kernell and Gary C. Jacobson-and new coauthor Thad Kousser-reveal a rationale to the U.S. political system and give students a window through which they can not only view American politics but also come to understand it. Known for its engaging narrative, the book's new edition continues to weave historical context, current politics, and analytic concepts into a text that gently strengthens students' theoretical understanding while hooking them with great storytelling. In order to make the argument fully accessible to a student audience, the new edition highlights passages that apply the collective action and institutional design themes presented in the introduction. The fourth edition has been revised and updated throughout, and will include full coverage of the 2008 elections. Two major developments in the new edition deserve special note: a new section in the first chapter introduces students to a "toolkit" of institutional design concepts-command, veto, agenda control, voting rules, delegation-and examples of how they work.With this toolkit, students learn the concepts for exploring America's governmental system in later chapters. with a fully revised final chapter, Logic looks forward to assess the implications of its argument for widely promoted reforms of policy and institutions. Tables, figures, photographs, cartoons, bolded key terms, a glossary, annotated reading lists, review questions, and exercises help illustrate core ideas and aid in review and study. A series of thematic boxes further the book's analytic framework: Logic of Politics examines the design of various political institutions in light of the objectives they were intended to achieve. Strategy and Choice shows how officeholders and those seeking to influence them employ institutions to advance their goals. Politics to Policy highlights how public policies reflect the institutions that produce them and evaluate institutional capacity to solve the nation's problems. For more information about The Logic of American Politics, 4th Edition, click here. Principles and Practice of American Politics: Classic and Contemporary Readings, 4th Edition Combining timeless readings with cutting-edge, current selections, Kernell and Smith bring judicious editing and important context for students learning the ropes of American government. This collection effectively examines the strategic behavior of key players in American politics, showing that political actors, though motivated by their own interests, are governed by the Constitution, the law, and institutional rules, as well as influenced by the strategies of others. For more information about Principles and Practice of American Politics, click here.