American Political History: A Very Short Introduction

Very Short Introductions #420

by Donald T. Critchlow

The Founding Fathers who drafted the United States Constitution in 1787 distrusted political parties, popular democracy, centralized government, and a strong executive office. Yet the country's national politics have historically included all those features. In American Political A Very Short Introduction, Donald Critchlow takes on this contradiction between original theory and actual practice. This brief, accessible book explores the nature of the two-party system, key turning points in American political history, representative presidential and congressional elections, struggles to expand the electorate, and critical social protest and third-party movements. The volume emphasizes the continuity of a liberal tradition challenged by partisan divide, war, and periodic economic turmoil.American Political A Very Short Introduction explores the emergence of a democratic political culture within a republican form of government, showing the mobilization and extension of the mass electorate over the lifespan of the country. In a nation characterized by great racial, ethnic, and religious diversity, American democracy has proven extraordinarily durable. Individual parties have risen and fallen, but the dominance of the two-party system persists. Fierce debates over the meaning of the U.S. Constitution have created profound divisions within the parties and among voters, but a belief in the importance of constitutional order persists among political leaders and voters. Americans have been deeply divided about the extent of federal power, slavery, the meaning of citizenship, immigration policy, civil rights, and a range of economic, financial, and social policies. New immigrants, racial minorities, and women have joined the electorate and the debates. But American political history, with its deep social divisions, bellicose rhetoric, and antagonistic partisanship provides valuable lessons about the meaning and viability of democracy in the early 21st century.ABOUT THE The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction, American History, American, The United States Of America, United States

163 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 20, 2014

Reviews

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I continue to be amazed at just how far American Politics has diverged from anything the Founding Fathers envisaged. I also keep forgetting that it was the Republicans who pushed the anti-slavery and later anti-segregation legislation, and the Democrats who had the power base in the South, until relatively recently. I always think of the Democrats as the more liberal party, and the GOP as the fundamental conservatives.

[Aaqib · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly good account but it is very linear. Although that is to be expected, its non-descriptive nature means that it simply reads as an extended chronology rather than a focused discussion about not only what happened in America's history but also why it happened as it did.

[Arne Gevaert]

Goed wi

[Blair Hodges · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid overview, but more chronological than interpretive. Mostly traces presidential elections rather than broader American political history, but still, a fine primer.

[Alix · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty decent brief history, focused mainly on formal politics.

[Letitia Todd Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re seeking a quick review of the history and evolution of the American federal political system, you could do a lot worse. Starting from the birth of the nation through the Obama presidency, the book fairly covers virtually every presidential and Congressional election (with primary emphasis on the executive), the major achievements and missteps of each administration, the development of the major political parties, and the public sentiment driving it all. Because the book is intended as a review that can be read in a matter of hours, each administration is necessarily covered in just a few pages and analysis is likewise limited. However, the author is equally and fairly critical of all and takes care not to inject his own political biases. Though it comes at the expense of analysis, the wide-lens approach of this book better enables to reader to see a larger and more holistic picture of the evolution (and possible future) of the US political system.

[M Pereira · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a topic that could have thousands of books. this is a nice primer. I'm a little bit disappointed at how 'year zero' is basically the colonisation of the first nation people. Yes there was acknowledgement of the pre-colonial period of the united states but its barely an afterthought.

I read this book on the day leading up to the first 2020 presidential debate. It makes perfect sense to see a history of conceit, of colonisation, of undermining enemies and internal dissenters. It was interesting at the end that the tea party gets a small mention. Perhaps reflecting the beginning of how influential that group would eventually become.

[Stephen Newell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect book if you ever say, “Hey, why is American politics the way it is?” But you don’t want to spend a ton of time finding out or sifting through 500 page biographies of presidents who the author thinks is either Jesus or Satan, (depending on political affiliation, of course). Straight facts, simply stated, and grounded in history. Also, I read this for school AND gave it 5 stars. That’s how good it is......

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. In nice chronological order. Breaking down piece by piece one of the biggest fraud narratives of our lives; that "the parties flipped" sometime in the last century.

A few key takeaways I had: the emergence of the two parties came much quicker after the Civil War. Almost like the war continued, this time bureaucratically vs on the battlefield.

Also, the founders were very clear in their disgust of major political parties. And alas, here we are.

[T.B. Caine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously a introductory text on US politics but it does a really good job hitting the major movements in just slightly over 150 pages.

Wish there was more focus on later regimes (1980s-Present is all one chapter when it should’ve been spaced out more imo) but overall really solid for what it offers

[Dennis Seese · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mid, conservatively slanted historical survey. Was far below the standards of the previous books I'd read in the series.
Guy publishes at Regnery alongside other powerhouse thinkers like Ann Coulter, Sebastian Gorka and Michelle Malkin.
Sad
Do not want

[Rowena Ivanhoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview/introduction to the history of American politics. Clear and easy to understand. I enjoyed the read.

[Richard George · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good short read. They don't quite seem to do a British equivalent which seems a shame.

[Ronnie Sievers]

Well, that was depressing.
We need an updated edition like NOW.

[Yassir Radil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm surprised that the Republicans were more supportive to the Black community than did the Democrats over American History