Keeping the Republic, Eleventh Edition gives students the power to examine the narrative of what′s going on in American politics, distinguish fact from fiction and balance from bias, and influence the message through informed citizenship. Christine Barbour and Gerald C. Wright draw students into the study of American politics, showing them how to think critically about "who gets what, and how" while exploring the twin themes of power and citizenship.

With students living through one of the most challenging periods in American life, this text is a much-needed resource to help them make sense of politics in America today and become savvy consumers of political information.



Table of Contents:
Preface To the Student Acknowledgments About the Authors Chapter 1: Politics: Who Gets What, and How? Not Your Usual Textbook Introduction What Is Politics? Political Systems and the Concept of Citizenship The Classical Liberal Roots of American Democracy The Evolution of American Citizenship Thinking Critically About American Politics Chapter 2: American Citizens and Political Culture What’s at Stake . . . in Our Immigration Policy? Who Is an American? The Ideas That Unite Us The Ideas That Divide Us Chapter 3: Politics of the American Founding What’s at Stake . . . in Challenging the Legitimacy of the U.S. Government? Politics in the English Colonies The Split From England The Articles of Confederation The Constitutional Convention Ratification The Citizens and the Founding Chapter 4: Federalism and the U.S. Constitution What’s at Stake . . . When a State Takes Marijuana Laws Into Its Own Hands? The Three Branches of Government Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances Federalism Amending the Constitution The Citizens and the Constitution Chapter 5: Fundamental American Liberties What’s at Stake . . . in a Constitutionally Guaranteed Right to Privacy? Rights in a Democracy The Bill of Rights and Incorporation Freedom of Religion Freedom of Expression The Right to Bear Arms The Rights of Criminal Defendants The Right to Privacy The Citizens and Civil Liberties Chapter 6: The Struggle for Equal Rights What’s at Stake . . . When a Racial Majority Becomes a Minority? The Meaning of Political Inequality Rights Denied on the Basis of Race—African Americans Rights Denied on the Basis of Other Racial and Ethnic Identities Rights Denied on the Basis of Gender Rights Denied on Other Bases The Citizens and Civil Rights Chapter 7: Congress What’s at Stake . . . in the Senate’s Obligation to Give Advice and Consent to the President? Understanding Congress Congressional Powers and Responsibilities Congressional Elections Congressional Organization How Congress Works Chapter 8: The Presidency What’s at Stake . . . in Donald Trump’s Presidency? The Presidential Job Description The Evolution of the American Presidency Presidential Politics Managing the Presidential Establishment The Presidential Personality Chapter 9: The Bureaucracy What’s at Stake . . . in Rolling Back Regulations? What Is Bureaucracy? The American Federal Bureaucracy Politics Inside the Bureaucracy External Bureaucratic Politics The Citizens and the Bureaucracy Chapter 10: The American Legal System and the Courts What’s at Stake . . . When the Supreme Court Gets Involved in Partisan Politics? Law and the American Legal System The Development of Judicial Review Federalism and the American Courts The Supreme Court The Citizens and the Courts Chapter 11: Public Opinion What’s at Stake . . . When We Move to More Direct Democracy? The Role of Public Opinion in a Democracy Citizen Values What Influences Our Opinions About Politics? Measuring and Tracking Public Opinion The Citizens and Public Opinion Chapter 12: Political Parties What’s at Stake . . . When “Outsiders” Challenge Establishment Party Candidates? Why Political Parties? Do American Parties Offer Voters a Choice? The History of Parties in America What Do Parties Do? Characteristics of the American Party System Chapter 13: Interest Groups What’s at Stake . . . When Business Groups Face Off Against Public Interest Groups? The Formation and Role of Interest Groups Types of Interest Groups Interest Group Politics Interest Group Resources Chapter 14: Voting, Campaigns, and Elections What’s at Stake . . . in the Peaceful Transfer of Power? Voting in a Democratic Society Exercising the Right to Vote in America How America Decides Presidential Campaigns The Citizens and Elections Chapter 15: Media, Power, and Political Communication What’s at Stake . . . in Living in an Information Bubble? The Mass Media Today How Does Media Ownership Affect Control of the Narrative? Spinning Political Narratives Politics as Public Relations The Citizens and the Media Chapter 16: Social and Environmental Policy What’s at Stake . . . When a President Sets Out to Reverse the Executive Actions of a Predecessor? Making Public Policy The Case of Social Policy The Case of Environmental Policy Chapter 17: Economic Policy What’s at Stake . . . in a Shrinking Middle Class? A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding the Economy Fiscal Policy and Monetary Policy Economic Regulatory Policy Chapter 18: Foreign Policy What’s at Stake . . . With NATO expansion? Understanding Foreign Policy Who Makes American Foreign Policy? How Do We Define a Foreign Policy Problem? How Do We Solve Foreign Policy Problems? American Foreign Policy Today Appendix Material Appendix 1: Articles of Confederation Appendix 2: Declaration of Independence Appendix 3: Constitution of the United States Notes Glossary Index