In emphasizing how the political system works, and how individuals and groups have opened gates to influence public policy, the text helps students see the relevance of government in their own lives. Completely up to date, the ENHANCED edition includes updates--and impacts--from the 2018 elections as well as expanded discussion of diversity and participation that reflects America's changing demographic infrastructure. In every chapter, Supreme Court cases illustrate the constitutional and legal context in which U.S. democracy has evolved, while a Political Analytics feature helps students evaluate the vast amounts of data present in today's political discourse.