Andrew Wroe

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.

The presidency of Donald J. Trump is rather ordinary. Trump himself may be the most unusual, unorthodox and unconventional president the US has ever had. Yet, even with his extraordinary personality and approach to the job, his presidency is proving quite ordinary in its accomplishments and outcomes, both at home and abroad. Like most modern US presidents, the number and scope of Trump’s achievements are rather meager. Despite dramatic claims to a revolution in US politics, Trump simply has not achieved very much. Trump’s few policy achievements are also mostly mainstream Republican ones rather than the radical, anti-establishment, swamp-draining changes promised on the campaign trail. The populist insurgent who ran against Washington has followed a policy agenda largely in tune with conservative Republican traditions. The Ordinary Presidency of Donald J. Trump provides a detailed explanation for the discrepancy between Trump’s extraordinary approach and the relative mediocrity of his achievements. Ironically, it is precisely Trump’s extraordinariness as president that has helped render his presidency ordinary.