Patterson's The American Democracy has long been a best seller for AP US Government classes due to its insightful, readable, and balanced portrayal of the American political system. The 10th edition continues this tradition of excellence while introducing a new emphasis on political thinking at a time when hyper-partisanship is the order of the day and unbiased political information is often drowned out by other sources. This text aims to help you learn how to think about politics. By introducing you to the tools that political scientists use, you will work through the process of forming a knowledgeable view about a political issue. This text will help you learn how to think politically by providing you with analytical tools that can sharpen your understanding of American politics. The tools are derived from political science -- the systematic study of government and politics. - Publisher.