* The only long-established American government text under 350 pages, Basics provides a brief, current, easily-understood introduction to American politics and government for beginning college and community college students.

* With simple, focused chapters of under 30 pages on the key political players, teachers gain confidence that their assignments using this accessible, inexpensive, long-time student favorite will be bought and read.

* A comprehensive yet compact set of features-including Spotlight On, A Closer Look, and Case Study boxes; chapter wrap-ups, Thought Questions, Learn the Terms glossary entries, and Suggested Readings-keep students engaged and offer professors easy launching pads into timely topics beyond the basic text.

New to the 17th Edition

• Discusses student activism in the context of climate change.
• Covers the personalities and actions of the new Biden administration, as well as wrapping up President Trump's tumultuous final year in office (two impeachments, COVID, the Capitol Insurrection).
• Updated to reflect the results of the 2022 midterm elections, and the impact of reapportionment and gerrymandering (based on the 2020 Census).
• Presents recent and ongoing developments on the Supreme Court including appointment of two new justices and major decisions including those pertaining to abortion, voting rights and access, and LGBT rights.
• Reflects changes in voting behavior in the 2020 and 2022 elections, as well as developments regarding both voting rights and voter suppression.
• Explores the ongoing crisis of misinformation and disinformation on the Internet and in social media in particular.
• Expands the discussion of tribal politics, threats to democracy, and economics.