Steady encouragement

After each new topic is presented, students answer a few questions about the main ideas. This helps students stay focused, actively process the information, and construct new knowledge.

Presentation and exploration

Sixteen chapters offer concise presentation of key concepts. An additional 32 investigations guide students through the examination of real-world artifacts and case studies to put the concepts into context and test the limits of the ideas presented.

Study questions

More than 1,000 study questions encourage close reading and guide students to key information.

Everything you need

Central Ideas in American Government provides everything you need for an online course—including the text, interactive investigations, lecture slides, a test bank, and an analytics dashboard. And we can tailor the webtext to match your program’s emphasis, term length, student expectations, and assignment types.

1. The Founding and the Constitution
   1. Introduction
   2. The Constitution: A Product of Conflict and Compromise
   3. Declaring Independence
   4. The Articles of Confederation
   5. Negotiating the Constitution
   6. Constitutional Compromises
   7. A New Government
   8. Constitutional Principles
   9. The Constitution Defines and Limits the Government
   10. The Articles of the Constitution
   11. Amending the Constitution
   12. The 27 Amendments to the Constitution
   13. Investigation: Passing the 19th Amendment, Part 1
   14. Investigation: Passing the 19th Amendment, Part 2
   15. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Amendment Process
   16. The Constitution Leaves Room for Interpretation
   17. The Full Faith and Credit Clause vs. the Supremacy Clause
   18. Investigation: Comparing Constitutions, Part 1
   19. Investigation: Comparing Constitutions, Part 2
   20. Conclusion
2. Federalism
   1. Introduction
   2. The Constitution Establishes a Federal System
   3. The National and State Governments Compete for Power
   4. Investigation: Supreme Court Stories: McCulloch v. Maryland, Part 1
   5. Investigation: Supreme Court Stories: McCulloch v. Maryland, Part 2
   6. Dual Federalism
   7. Cooperative Federalism
   8. Coercive Federalism
   9. New Federalism
   10. Power Shifts Between National and State Governments
   11. Developments in Transportation
   12. Developments in Communications, Science, and Technology
   13. Differing Political Ideas
   14. Federalism Has Strengths and Weaknesses
   15. COVID-19 and Federalism
   16. Investigation: The Business of Weed, Part 1
   17. Investigation: The Business of Weed, Part 2
   18. Conclusion
3. Civil Liberties
   1. Introduction
   2. Civil Liberties Protect Individuals
   3. Core Protections and Limits
   4. Amendment I: Freedom of Religion—The Establishment Clause
   5. Amendment I: Freedom of Religion—The Free Exercise Clause
   6. Amendment I: Freedom of Speech
   7. Amendment I: Symbolic and Student Speech
   8. Investigation: Free Speech for Students, Part 1
   9. Investigation: Free Speech for Students, Part 2
   10. Amendment I: Limits to Free Speech
   11. Amendment I: Freedom of Assembly and the Press
   12. Amendment II: The Right to Bear Arms
   13. Amendment IV: Searches and Seizures
   14. Amendment V: Due Process
   15. Amendment VI: The Right to a Fair Trial
   16. Amendment VIII: Cruel and Unusual Punishment
   17. Extending Civil Liberties to the States
   18. Religious Freedom, Gun Rights, and Incorporation
   19. Selective Incorporation
   20. The Interpretation of Civil Liberties Evolves
   21. Privacy Rights and Abortion
   22. Privacy Rights and Sexuality
   23. Investigation: Older than the Bill of Rights, Part 1
   24. Investigation: Older than the Bill of Rights, Part 2
   25. The Right to Die
   26. Conclusion
4. Civil Rights
   1. Introduction
   2. Civil Rights Require Equal Protection
   3. Affirmative Action
   4. Slavery and the Fight for Abolition
   5. The Reconstruction Amendments
   6. Jim Crow Laws
   7. The First Feminists: Women Fight for the Vote
   8. Investigation: Till We Have Suffrage: The Movement, Part 1
   9. Investigation: Till We Have Suffrage: The Movement, Part 2
   10. Desegregating Public Higher Education
   11. Desegregating Elementary and Secondary Education
   12. Investigation: Supreme Court Stories: Brown v. Board, Part 1
   13. Investigation: Supreme Court Stories: Brown v. Board, Part 2
   14. Desegregating Transportation and Public Spaces
   15. The Civil Rights Act of 1964
   16. The Voting Rights Act of 1965
   17. Government Expands Women's Civil Rights
   18. Women's Rights Today
   19. Judicial Standards of Review in Civil Rights Cases
   20. Rights for Different Groups
   21. LGBTQ+ Rights
   22. Conclusion
5. Congress
   1. Introduction
   2. Congress According to the Constitution
   3. Apportionment and Redistricting
   4. Investigation: Drawing Political Lines, Part 1
   5. Investigation: Drawing Political Lines, Part 2
   6. The Process of Making Laws
   7. Parties in the House and Senate
   8. Party Influence and Control
   9. Unified vs. Divided Government
   10. Types of Congressional Committees
   11. Investigation: Setting the Legislative Agenda, Part 1
   12. Investigation: Setting the Legislative Agenda, Part 2
   13. Committees Help Make Congress More Productive
   14. Congress Members Consider Multiple Influences
   15. Influences on Legislators
   16. Descriptive Representation
   17. Delegate vs. Trustee Models of Representation
   18. Conclusion
6. The Presidency
   1. Introduction
   2. The President Has Many Roles
   3. Executive Powers
   4. Executive Orders and Privilege
   5. Legislative Powers
   6. Judicial Powers
   7. Diplomatic Powers
   8. Military Powers
   9. Presidential Power Has Grown
   10. Policies and Programs
   11. The President and Parties
   12. The President and Mass Media
   13. Implied and Delegated Power
   14. Investigation: The Broken Presidency, Part 1
   15. Investigation: The Broken Presidency, Part 2
   16. Executive Power Is Limited
   17. Impeachment
   18. Presidential Performance Matters
   19. Assessing Performance
   20. Investigation: Eavesdropping on the Oval Office: LBJ's First Days, Part 1
   21. Investigation: Eavesdropping on the Oval Office: LBJ's First Days, Part 2
   22. Conclusion
7. Bureaucracy
   1. Introduction
   2. The Federal Bureaucracy Implements Laws
   3. Executive Branch Organization
   4. Presidential Power
   5. Legislative Oversight
   6. Issue Networks and Iron Triangles
   7. Investigation: The USDA: An Agency for Farmers, Part 1
   8. Investigation: The USDA: An Agency for Farmers, Part 2
   9. The Federal Bureaucracy Has Grown
   10. The Progressive Era
   11. The Great Depression and the New Deal
   12. The Great Society
   13. The Reagan Revolution
   14. The Bureaucracy Today
   15. The Federal Bureaucracy Has Considerable Power
   16. Investigation: Implementing the ACA, Part 1
   17. Investigation: Implementing the ACA, Part 2
   18. Limitations on Bureaucratic Power
   19. Americans Seek to Reform the Bureaucracy
   20. Devolution and Privatization
   21. Conclusion
8. The Judiciary
   1. Introduction
   2. Article III Establishes the Supreme Court
   3. Jurisdiction
   4. The Court Has Expanded Its Influence
   5. Judicial Review
   6. The Impact of Judicial Review
   7. Investigation: Supreme Court Stories: Marbury v. Madison, Part 1
   8. Investigation: Supreme Court Stories: Marbury v. Madison, Part 2
   9. The Supreme Court Chooses Cases
   10. Access to the Supreme Court
   11. The Supreme Court's Decision-Making Process
   12. Appointments Influence the Judiciary
   13. The Supreme Court Undergoes a Political Shift
   14. Many Factors Influence Judicial Decisions
   15. Judicial Philosophy
   16. Political Ideology
   17. Political Context
   18. Investigation: The Path to Marriage Equality, Part 1
   19. Investigation: The Path to Marriage Equality, Part 2
   20. Conclusion
9. Public Opinion
   1. Introduction
   2. Many Factors Influence Public Opinion
   3. Investigation: Am I Blue, Purple, or Red? Part 1
   4. Investigation: Am I Blue, Purple, or Red? Part 2
   5. Political Socialization
   6. Additional Factors of Socialization
   7. Properly Conducted Polls Express Public Opinion
   8. Investigation: The Ins and Outs of Exit Polls, Part 1
   9. Investigation: The Ins and Outs of Exit Polls, Part 2
   10. The Basics of Scientific Polling
   11. Should Elected Leaders Listen to Public Opinion?
   12. Paying Attention to the Public
   13. Trends in Presidential Approval Ratings
   14. Trends in Congressional Approval Ratings
   15. Conclusion
10. The Media
    1. Introduction
    2. Content and Journalistic Standards Have Evolved
    3. The Partisan Press and Sensationalism
    4. The Evolution of Journalistic Ethics
    5. The Decline of Traditional Media
    6. Agenda Setting and Priming
    7. Framing
    8. Persuasion
    9. Investigation: Making the News, Part 1
    10. Investigation: Making the News, Part 2
    11. Online Media Presents Challenges
    12. Ethical Standards in Journalism
    13. Selective Exposure
    14. Civil Discourse
    15. Investigation: #Divide, Part 1
    16. Investigation: #Divide, Part 2
    17. Conclusion
11. Voting and Political Participation
    1. Introduction
    2. Direct vs. Indirect Democracy and Conventional Political Participation
    3. Unconventional Participation
    4. Why People Participate in Politics
    5. Demographics Behind Participation
    6. Investigation: We the Protestors, Part 1
    7. Investigation: We the Protestors, Part 2
    8. Partisan Loyalty
    9. Policy Issues
    10. Candidate Characteristics
    11. The Economy Affects Voting
    12. Voter Turnout Remains Low
    13. Low Turnout Compared to Other Democratic Industrialized Nations
    14. The Mandatory Voting Debate
    15. Investigation: License to Vote, Part 1
    16. Investigation: License to Vote, Part 2
    17. Conclusion
12. Elections and Campaigns
    1. Introduction
    2. Elections Ensure Political Legitimacy
    3. Congressional Elections
    4. Congressional Incumbents vs. Challengers
    5. Investigation: The Year of the Woman, Part 1
    6. Investigation: The Year of the Woman, Part 2
    7. Presidential Elections
    8. The Primary Season
    9. National Conventions
    10. The Electoral College
    11. The Positives of the Electoral College
    12. The Negatives of the Electoral College
    13. Investigation: The Ins and Outs of the Electoral College, Part 1
    14. Investigation: The Ins and Outs of the Electoral College, Part 2
    15. Campaign Strategies Vary
    16. Campaign Tactics
    17. Campaign Finance
    18. Campaigns Have Evolved
    19. Candidate-Centered Campaigns
    20. Conclusion
13. Political Parties
    1. Introduction
    2. Parties Have Three Components
    3. The Party Organization
    4. The Party in Government
    5. The Party in the Electorate
    6. The Role of Parties in Democratic Governance
    7. The United States Has a Two-Party System
    8. Implications of the Two-Party System
    9. Investigation: What Can Third Parties Do?, Part 1
    10. Investigation: What Can Third Parties Do?, Part 2
    11. Origins of the American Two-Party System
    12. 1796–1859: The First Political Parties
    13. The Critical Election of 1860
    14. The Critical Election of 1896 and Republican Party Dominance
    15. The Critical Election of 1932 and Democratic Party Dominance
    16. The 1960s to Today: Partisan Realignments
    17. Investigation: Party Platforms, Part 1
    18. Investigation: Party Platforms, Part 2
    19. Conclusion
14. Interest Groups
    1. Introduction
    2. Interest Groups Seek to Influence Policy
    3. Types of Interest Groups
    4. The Politics of Healthcare Reform
    5. Lobbying
    6. Investigation: What Lobbyists Do, Part 1
    7. Investigation: What Lobbyists Do, Part 2
    8. Election Activity
    9. Other Forms of Influence
    10. Interest Groups Have Grown Over Time
    11. Joining Interest Groups
    12. Forming Interest Groups
    13. Investigation: The American Pizza Community, Part 1
    14. Investigation: The American Pizza Community, Part 2
    15. Americans Aren't Represented Equally
    16. The Value of Interest Groups
    17. Conclusion
15. Public Policy
    1. Introduction
    2. Each Branch of the Government Influences Public Policy
    3. Policymaking in a Separated System
    4. The Public Policy Cycle
    5. The Policymaking Process
    6. Agenda Setting
    7. Policy Formulation and Adoption
    8. Policy Implementation
    9. Investigation: Healthcare: Quality, Part 1
    10. Investigation: Healthcare: Quality, Part 2
    11. Policy Evaluation
    12. Public Policy Has General Categories
    13. Domestic Policy
    14. The Affordable Care Act
    15. Foreign Policy
    16. Diplomacy
    17. Trade
    18. National Security and the Evolution of American Foreign Policy
    19. Investigation: Foreign Policy in Two Conflicts, Part 1
    20. Investigation: Foreign Policy in Two Conflicts, Part 2
    21. Economic Policy
    22. The Federal Budget
    23. Monetary Policy
    24. Americans Are Divided over the Scope of Government
    25. Conclusion
16. State and Local Government
    1. Introduction
    2. Political Culture Varies Among the States
    3. Engagement and Public Policy Differ Depending on Political Culture
    4. Investigation: These Divided States, Part 1
    5. Investigation: These Divided States, Part 2
    6. Similarities and Differences Between State and U.S. Constitutions
    7. The Long and Short of It: State Constitutions
    8. Amending State Constitutions
    9. States Manage from the Middle
    10. Issues of Funding on Education Policy
    11. Investigation: Managing Guns in America, Part 1
    12. Investigation: Managing Guns in America, Part 2
    13. Government Interaction Occurs Locally
    14. State and Local Politics at Work
    15. Conclusion

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Authors

Jocelyn Evans, PhD
University of West Florida

Kristy Michaud, PhD
California State University–Northridge

Investigation Contributors

Jennie Linder Cunningham, MA
Texas A&M University–Kingsville

Jocelyn Evans, PhD
University of West Florida

Lilly Goren, PhD
Carroll University

Jessica Hayden, PhD
Western Carolina University

Kristy Michaud, PhD
California State University–Northridge

Cynthia Newton, PhD
Wesley College

Tressa Tabares, PhD
American River College

Advisors

Philip Ardoin, PhD
Appalachian State University

Janet Box-Steffensmeier, PhD
Ohio State University

Asiya Daud, PhD
Pitzer College

Anna Fleming, PhD
Mercer University

Terry Gilmour, PhD
Midland College

Lilly Goren, PhD
Carroll University

Jessica Hayden, PhD
Western Carolina University

Erin Richards
Cascadia Community College

Cammy Shay, PhD
Houston Community College

Steven Tran, PhD
Houston Community College

Justin Vaughn, PhD
Coastal Carolina University

Sherri L. Wallace, PhD
University of Louisville

Sarah Young, PhD
University of South Carolina

Peer Reviewers

Jean-Marc Akakpo
Kennesaw State University

Scott Buchanan, PhD
The Citadel

Michelle Buehlmann, PhD
Northern Virginia Community College

Toney Carey, Jr., PhD
University of North Texas

Larry Carter, PhD
University of Texas-Arlington

Carl D. Cavalli, PhD
North Georgia College

Linda C. Davis, MA
Hillsborough Community College

Matthew DeSantis, PhD
Guilford Technical Community College

Gregory Domin, PhD
Columbus State University

Michael Evans, PhD
Georgia State University

Bailey R. Fairbanks
Georgia State University

Anna McCaghren Fleming
Georgia State University

David Hill, PhD
Stetson University

Parakh Hoon, PhD
South Puget Sound Community College

Gary Johnson, PhD
Weber State University

Joseph Jozwiak, PhD
Texas A&M University—Corpus Christi

William Kelly, PhD
Auburn University

Marvin King, PhD
University of Mississippi

Robert J. King, PhD
Georgia Perimeter College

Glen Krutz, PhD
University of Oklahoma

Julie Lester, PhD
Macon State College

Christie Maloyed, PhD
University of Nebraska–Kearney

Benjamin Melusky, MA
University of Pittsburgh

Sara Moats, PhD
West Virginia University

Dwight Mullen, PhD
University of North Carolina—Asheville (ret.)

Cynthia Newton, PhD
Wesley College

Sandra Popiden, PhD
Bridgewater State College

Amanda Rosen, PhD
Webster University

Mikhail Rybalko, PhD
Texas Tech University

Joanna Sabo, PhD
Monroe County Community College

Lauren R. Santoro, PhD
Ohio State University

Mayia Shulga, PhD
Lone Star College

Tressa Tabares, PhD
American River College

Christopher Witt, PhD
Augustana College

Shawn Williams, PhD
Campbellsville University

David Woodard, PhD
Clemson University

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Zara Elizabeth Crockett

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Note

Some multiple-choice questions were developed using ChatGPT; these questions were factchecked and edited for style and accuracy.