American Difference

"Most of my students assume that all democracies maintain a two-party system, a separation of powers, a federal system, and a strong tradition of freedom of speech. What they need is in [this] excellent book. It gives students a comparative perspective on what is exceptional in the American democratic design, what leads democracies to differ from and resemble one another, and how these differences and similarities affect students′ lives. I strongly recommend the authors’ approach and their book." -- Marjorie R. Hershey
"This book follows the Tocquevillian logic that the best way to understand American politics is to compare to other nations. American Difference offers a very readable and engaging introduction to what is distinct about American political institutions, culture, interest groups, and party politics—and the implications of these differences. A strong addition to any American politics course." -- Russell Dalton