American Government and Politics explains both how the US governmental system works and why it works this way. American Government and Politics is a comprehensive introduction to the structure and dynamics of government and politics in the United States of America. It combines contemporary examples with a rich historical context supported by authoritative and engaging multimedia recommendations to help students explore the topic further. An integrated data-driven approach fosters critical thinking, evidence-based debate, and analytical skills. Expert authors adopt a data-driven approach to explain clearly how the US governmental system works, and why it works this way. By combining historical context with contemporary examples, this text helps students develop a deeper understanding of US politics and engage critically with the forces shaping it. The 'Exploring Further' feature provides engaging multimedia recommendations to broaden students' understanding, and to support students' exploration of information and perspectives from trustworthy and reputable sources. By being exposed to robust data in the Digging Deeper with Data feature, and pivotal moments in US politics in the Key Debate and Key Event features, students are equipped with a broader understanding of the evolution of US government and politics, painting a research-driven, comprehensive understanding of US politics today.