Introduction to American Government

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.

Tom Paine (International revolutionary, 1737-1809)

The government is us; we are the government, you and I.

Theodore Roosevelt (U.S. President, 1858–1919)

This course is an introductory exploration of how the American system of politics works and our place in it. We will examine different understandings of democracy, the workings of the American Constitution, the structure of lawmaking, patterns of political influence, civil rights, civil liberties, public opinion, the role of the press, issues of political and economic equality, and the dynamics of American elections.