LibGuides: American National Government: Quick Reference

Search for General Overviews

Get an overview quickly and then use the the references at the end of the article to find more in-depth books or articles.

We the People by Thomas E. Patterson
Call Number: 320.473 P317W 2011
Publication Date: 2010-12-22
Broad look at the major elements of American national government: history, founding documents such as Constitution, Bill of Rights, etc; executive powers; legislative powers; roles of courts,etc.
A History of the U. S. Political System by Richard A. Harris (Editor); Daniel J. Tichenor (Editor)
Call Number: REF DESK 320.973 H673
Publication Date: 2008
3 v. on Reference Collection
Covers elements of American National Government from historic to present: Federalism, Religion and Politics, States, Branches of Government, Elections, etc. Includes essays and key primary documents.
[Online] Dictionary of American Government and Politics
Call Number: Online
ISBN: 9780748635016
Demystifies the key terms used in discussions of the political system. Good size articles explaining what you need to know.

[Online] Congress A to Z by Chuck McCutcheon(Editor); CQ Editors
Call Number: Online Ebook
Clear and concise articles on how Congress really works: parties; role of lobbyists; legislative powers; committees; filibuster, etc.
Guide to Congress by Congressional Quarterly, Inc. Staff (Editor)
Call Number: REF DESK 328.73
Publication Date: 2000
2 v. on Reference Collection
Introductory essays on key elements of American Federal Government: Constitution, House, Senate, Presidency, Committee system; Powers, Party Sytem, etc.
The Encyclopedia of the United States Congress by Donald C. Bacon (Editor); Roger H. Davidson (Editor); Morton Keller (Editor)
Call Number: REF DESK 328.73 E56
This four-volume study of the history, members, and structure of the US Congress includes more than 1000 signed, original articles and 900 photographs, maps, charts, and illustrations.
Elections A to Z by John L. Moore
Call Number: REF DESK 324.603 M822E 2003
ISBN: 1568028016
History of elections and the major concepts behind attaining political office in the US: campaign finance, electoral college, polling, party profiles,primaries, etc.
Guide to Interest Groups and Lobbying in the United States by Burdett A. Loomis; Peter L. Francia; Dara Z. Strolovitch
Call Number: 324.40973 G946
Explores how interest groups have organized and articulated their support for numerous issues, and have they grown - both in numbers and range of activities - to become an integral part of the U.S. political system.

[Online] The Presidency A to Z by Michael Nelson (Editor); CQ Editors
Call Number: Online Ebook
Quick reference articles on key concepts of the Presidency and Executive Branch: executive orders; law enforcement powers; veto; war powers; etc.