A different democracy : American government in a thirty-one-country perspective / Steven L. Taylor, Matthew S. Shugart, Arend Lijphart, Bernard Grofman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Taylor, Steven L., 1948- author.

Shugart, Matthew Soberg, 1960- author.

Lijphart, Arend, author.

Grofman, Bernard, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Democracy--United States.

Democracy.

United States.

United States--Politics and government.

Politics and government.

Comparative government.

Political science.

Physical Description:

xiii, 378 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

New Haven [Connecticut] : Yale University Press, [2014]

Summary:

"Four distinguished scholars in political science analyze American democracy from a comparative point of view, exploring how the U.S. political system differs from that of thirty other democracies and what those differences ultimately mean for democratic performance. This essential text approaches the following institutions from a political engineering point of view: constitutions, electoral systems, and political parties, as well as legislative, executive, and judicial power. The text looks at democracies from around the world over a two-decade time frame. The result is not only a fresh view of the much-discussed theme of American exceptionalism but also an innovative approach to comparative politics that treats the United States as but one case among many. An ideal textbook for both American and comparative politics courses"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

1. Introduction

Political Engineering and the US Constitution

Constitutions

Federalism and Division of Power

Elections and Electoral Systems

Political Parties, Election Campaigns, and Interest Groups

Legislative Power

Executive Power

Judicial Power

Comparative Conclusions.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780300198089

0300198086

OCLC:

875999605