American Difference
A Guide to American Politics in Comparative Perspective
The fully updated Second Edition has been expanded to include several new chapters and discussion on civil liberties and civil rights, constitutional arrangements, elections and electoral institutions, and electoral behavior. This edition also includes data around the 2016 general election and 2018 midterm election.
“Most of my students assume that all democracies maintain a two-party system, a separation of powers, a federal system, and a strong tradition of freedom of speech. What they need is in [this] excellent book. It gives students a comparative perspective on what is exceptional in the American democratic design, what leads democracies to differ from and resemble one another, and how these differences and similarities affect students' lives. I strongly recommend the authors’ approach and their book.”
“This book follows the Tocquevillian logic that the best way to understand American politics is to compare to other nations. American Difference offers a very readable and engaging introduction to what is distinct about American political institutions, culture, interest groups, and party politics—and the implications of these differences. A strong addition to any American politics course.”
Sample Materials & Chapters
Chapter 1: American Politics from a Comparative Perspective
Chapter 3: American Exceptionalism