Highlights political science research findings, viewed through rational choice, social-psychological, and bio-politics theories, introducing beginning level students to sophisticated scholarship in an accessible, understandable way.

Authors are highly regarded, active scholars, attractive to adopting professors. A new co-author adds cultural and gender diversity to the author team.

Features policy discussions throughout the book in every chapter, not just at the end of the book, thus countering the tendency of American government courses and teachers to omit policy coverage due to time constraints.