Discover what makes American democracy unique and how its government impacts your life

American Democracy in Context provides a combined comparative and historical approach to inspire students to better understand, care, and become active citizens. Bestselling authors Maltese, Pika, and Shively explain the distinctive features of how Americans practice democracy--how they vote, translate election results into representation of interests, make policy decisions, enforce laws and maintain justice--and how those practices differ from other democracies in the world. The emphasis is always on the American political system, but the search for understanding requires students to examine how the American system has developed over time (historical context) and how it compares with similar practices in other democracies (comparative context). This combined approach motivates students to understand why politics is relevant to their everyday lives and how they can affect changes to make their lives better.

Also available as a digital option (courseware). Learn more about American Democracy in Context-Vantage Digital Option [ISBN: 978-1-0718-0352-3]

John Anthony Maltese is the Albert B. Saye professor of political science and associate

dean of the University of Georgia's School of Public and International Affairs and was

named a University professor in 2023 in recognition of significant impact on the university

beyond normal academic responsibilities. He holds a PhD from Johns Hopkins

University. He is the author of The Selling of Supreme Court Nominees and Spin Control:

The White House Office of Communications and the Management of Presidential News,

and coauthor with Joseph A. Pika and H. Phillips Shively of American Democracy in

Context. He is a Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor and was named the

2004 Georgia Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation and the Council for

Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Professor Maltese also writes about

classical music, for which he won a Grammy Award from the National Academy of

Recording Arts and Sciences.