A Different Democracy: American Government in a 31-Country Perspective

by Steven L. Taylor, Matthew Soberg Shugart, Arend Lijphart, Bernard Grofman

Overview

Four distinguished scholars in political science analyze American democracy from a comparative point of view, exploring how the U.S. political system differs from that of thirty other democracies and what those differences ultimately mean for democratic performance. This essential text approaches the following institutions from a political engineering point of view: constitutions, electoral systems, and political parties, as well as legislative, executive, and judicial power. The text looks at democracies from around the world over a two-decade time frame. The result is not only a fresh view of the much-discussed theme of American exceptionalism but also an innovative approach to comparative politics that treats the United States as but one case among many. An ideal textbook for both American and comparative politics courses.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780300210705
Publisher:	Yale University Press
Publication date:	10/28/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	392
File size:	14 MB
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About the Author

Steven L. Taylor is professor and chair of political science, Troy University. Matthew S. Shugart is professor of political science, University of California, Davis. Arend Lijphart is research professor emeritus of political science, University of California, San Diego. Bernard Grofman is professor of political science, University of California, Irvine.

Editorial Reviews

"This unique book successfully blends two major but traditionally separate political science subfields, American government and comparative politics, by systematically analyzing American democratic institutions and comparing them with those of thirty other democracies. This topical and engaging book is highly recommended for university and public libraries as well as collections specializing in US studies and comparative politics."—Choice

"The scholarship here is impressive. This book is surely unique in the depth of its comparative description of the United States and the systematic nature of the comparative analysis."—G. Bingham Powell Jr., author of Elections as Instruments of Democracy

"A Different Democracy overcomes the traditional segmentation of political science into American and comparative politics, choosing a sensible analytical focus instead: democratic political institutions. The book will be the premier introduction to this subject for undergraduate and graduate students for years to come."—Herbert Kitschelt, Duke University, author of The Transformation of European Social Democracy

From the Publisher