American Government: Political Change and Institutional Development

This text stresses the importance of historical context in understanding the American political institutions of today. Balanced, concise, and completely up-to-date, this new edition provides an easily understood introduction to the complexities of American government.

Calvin C. Jillson received his B.S. in Political Science from Oregon State University and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland. He taught at Louisiana State University and University of Colorado before joining the faculty of Southern Methodist University in July of 1995 as Professor and Chair in the Department of Political Science. Dr. Jillson was also the Director of the John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies. Teaching and writing in the areas of American political thought and the development of American political institutions, Dr. Jillson has written several books, including CONGRESSIONAL DYNAMICS (Stanford University Press, 1994), NEW PERSPECTIVES ON AMERICAN POLITICS, (CQ Press, 1994), and THE DYNAMICS OF AMERICAN POLITICS (Westview Press, 1994). His latest book, PURSUING THE AMERICAN DREAM: OPPORTUNITY AND EXCLUSION OVER FOUR CENTURIES, was published by the University of Kansas Press in 2004.