This best-selling, mainstream American government text is both a comprehensive introduction and a complete program, with the print text and ancillaries carefully crafted to work together to benefit both instructor and student. The Ninth Edition maintains its highly acclaimed, non-ideological framework, exploring three themes: freedom, order, and equality as political values; the majoritarianism vs. pluralism debate; and globalization' s effect on American politics. Extensively updated, this edition includes new examples, figures, and data and current discussions on such topics as the 2006 Congressional election, the Bush administration, campaign finance reform, Hurricane Katrina and FEMA, immigration policy, MEDICARE, and more. Continuing to offer leading-edge technology for teaching and learning, the program now offers course content in Eduspace, Blackboard, and WebCT formats and "In Our Own Words"# downloadable chapter overviews in MP3 format narrated by the authors. Additional proven media tools include "Talking Politics" audio clips and marginal references to the award-winning site, IDEAlog.org."New!" Eduspace/Blackboard/WebCT online course content includes an interactive eBook, customizable graded homework and quizzes, primary source documents, Associated Press Interactive animations, simulations, writing assignments and tutorials, discussion assignments, a threaded message board, and video clips of election ads."New!" Revised and updated Chapter 5, " Public Opinion and Political Socialization, " features updated information on religion, the role gender played in the 2004 presidential election, and the death penalty."New!" Reorganized Chapter 9, " Nominations, Elections, and Campaigns, " offers revised coverage of campaign finance to include information on campaign spending during the 2004 and 2006 elections."New!" Revised and updated material in Chapter 10, " Interest Groups, " presents new material on 527s, recent lobbyist scandals, and interest groups with n