The Logic of American Politics - Softcover

“The Logic of American Politics is an ideal text for students new to the processes of the American government to learn about how the institutions of government and how the political system work. It is the best textbook on American government and political process on the market!”

“The Logic of American Politics is fantastic. In addition to covering American government thoroughly, it is unabashedly a political science textbook that gives students insight into the discipline and what it does. It doesn’t seek to tell students what to believe, instead giving them the tools to be educated citizens and consumers of political information.”

“I like The Logic of American Politics’ focus on politics as solutions to collective action problems. The analytical framework is very effectively developed and integrated throughout. My students are often surprised to find that all of those concepts I introduce at the start of the semester hold relevance to such a wide range of political phenomena.” 

“I chose The Logic of American Politics because it’s accessible and interesting. It provides a good base for students to gain core knowledge and then dig deeper into specific elements of U.S. politics.”

Consistently praised for its engaging narrative, Logic hooks students with great storytelling while arming them with a “toolkit” of institutional design concepts—command, veto, agenda control, voting rules, and delegation. Students are exposed to real political science in the introductory course and learn to recognize a rationale for how the American political system was designed and why it works the way it does.

More than 100 tables, figures, and maps offer visual context to an array of political data and analysis, while over 200 carefully chosen photographs enhance the book’s examples and insights. Bolded key terms, a glossary, annotated reading lists, review questions, and a companion website help students read, think, and study.