American Politics and Society

Now in its ninth edition, American Politics and Society has established itself as the leading text on the subject written from a non–US perspective. Students are guided through the intricacies of the American political system placing the most recent developments in international context. 

Acclaimed author David McKay incorporates numerous updates and revisions to reflect recent trends in American Politics developments characterized by the deepest ideological divisions in recent memory. Reflecting on these historic changes McKay focuses on the divisive ideological climate that now dominates American politics that were exemplified by the bitter and polarized 2016 presidential election campaign. Particular attention is paid to the performance of the Obama presidency and to the reasons why, at all levels, American politics has become so polarized over recent years. The book is written in a student–friendly style and is supplemented with numerous illustrations and helpful pedagogical features, including chronologies, biographies and definition boxes highlighting key concepts and controversial issues. It provides thought–provoking insights into the social background to contemporary American politics, while fully embracing the latest developments in the most turbulent political context in the modern era.

David McKay is Professor of Government at the University of Essex. He is the author of numerous books and articles on American and comparative politics, including Designing Europe: Comparative Lessons from the Federal Experience (2001), which won the Political Studies Association W. J. M. MacKenzie prize, 2001. He is also co–author of The New British Politics (2007).