American Government

Praise for American Government, Twelfth Edition

What sets Jillson’s text apart from other American government books, is how it connects the compromises that shaped the creation of American institutions to their historical evolution and how they confront twenty-first century challenges. The text helps students understand and critically engage important debates, from the proliferation of fake news to mass protests fighting discrimination, potential government reforms, and the historic nature of a national election amid a global pandemic.

Stephen C. Phillips, Clemson University

The textbook,American Government: Political Development and Institutional Change, by Cal Jillson, provides students with a comprehensive study of the origins, politics, and institutions of the American political system. The first chapter opens with the relationship between classical ideas and writings and American political principles establishing a framework for learning how these principles are applied through our political systems and institutions. The 12th edition contains relevant updates that give greater insight into current events and political processes. The inclusion of questions embedded in the chapter, definitions in text boxes, and thoughtful exercises are instructional tools help guide students through each of the chapters. I highly recommend this textbook because it gives a nuanced and unbiased look at government allowing students to develop their own ideas, views, and opinions.

Michelle Belco, University of Houston

Praise for Previous Editions

A book that connects the political challenges of today to the political conflicts of the past.

Jonathan Chausovsky, SUNY Fredonia

This text is accessible and well-written with a nice amount of historical/institutional background. It does a very good job of offering students a sense of why we do things one way rather than another in historical terms. I think the author’s clear writing is one of the text’s most attractive features.

Thomas Hoffman, Spring Hill College

This book truly stands apart from the vast crowd of introductory American politics textbooks.

Shamira M. Gelbman, Illinois State University

Most of my students are non-majors. They walk into the course expecting to be bored. Jillson’s text helps them get over that. I've considered many textbooks over the years and this is clearly the right one for me.

Keith Dougherty, University of Georgia

Clear, comprehensive, and concise, this is no doubt the best American government text on the market today.

Christopher Malone, Lehman College

Praise for American Government, Twelfth Edition

What sets Jillson’s text apart from other American government books, is how it connects the compromises that shaped the creation of American institutions to their historical evolution and how they confront twenty-first century challenges. The text helps students understand and critically engage important debates, from the proliferation of fake news to mass protests fighting discrimination, potential government reforms, and the historic nature of a national election amid a global pandemic.
Stephen C. Phillips, Clemson University

The textbook, American Government: Political Development and Institutional Change, by Cal Jillson, provides students with a comprehensive study of the origins, politics, and institutions of the American political system. The first chapter opens with the relationship between classical ideas and writings and American political principles, establishing a framework for learning how these principles are applied through our political systems and institutions. The twelfth edition contains relevant updates that give greater insight into current events and political processes. The inclusion of questions embedded in the chapter, definitions in text boxes, and thoughtful exercises are instructional tools to help guide students through each of the chapters. I highly recommend this textbook because it gives a nuanced and unbiased look at government allowing students to develop their own ideas, views, and opinions.
Michelle Belco, University of Houston

Praise for Previous Editions

A book that connects the political challenges of today to the political conflicts of the past.
Jonathan Chausovsky, SUNY Fredonia

This text is accessible and well-written with a nice amount of historical/institutional background. It does a very good job of offering students a sense of why we do things one way rather than another in historical terms. I think the author’s clear writing is one of the text’s most attractive features.
Thomas Hoffman, Spring Hill College

This book truly stands apart from the vast crowd of introductory American politics textbooks.
Shamira M. Gelbman, Illinois State University

Most of my students are non-majors. They walk into the course expecting to be bored. Jillson’s text helps them get over that. I've considered many textbooks over the years and this is clearly the right one for me.
Keith Dougherty, University of Georgia

Clear, comprehensive, and concise, this is no doubt the best American government text on the market today.
Christopher Malone, Lehman College