An assessment of current changes in the American political system in recent decades. The author discusses such issues as the character of the contemporary congress, the Supreme Court as a part of the government, the development of a candidate-centred as opposed to a partisan electorate. The stability of political parties is examined and the degree of party centralization is assessed. The development of interest groups in Washington has resulted in a plethora of groups which appear to have less power. The book also examines the importance of federalism in the modern USA.