For undergraduate courses at colleges and universities in California for American and California Government Courses.

Approaching Democracy is the American Government book with a clear and compelling central theme, designed to elevate student interest. 

Now in a California Edition!  More than most states, California embodies the essence of American democratic and federal systems.  The unique relationship between the federal government and California demonstrates how pervasive the idea of democracy has been as a founding principle of American politics.  Approaching Democracy now includes 7 chapters on California politics and government.

Approaching Democracy addresses the evolving nature of the American experiment in democratic government.  It teaches students the theory and the basics of American political science, the political history of this nation, and provides the critical thinking skills needed to analyze these evolving relationships.  This new Teaching and Learning Classroom (TLC) California edition introduces features that incorporates more “student empowerment” tools to reinforce how American Government is relevant to students’ lives today.

Larry Berman and Bruce Allen Murphy, long-time teachers of the introductory American Political science course in both large and small public and private universities, set out to write a book that offers a clear theme — one that is even more relevant now than it was when it was first presented — in a highly readable, easy-to-understand format.  Both authors enjoy teaching and are actively engaged in new methods of engaging students and empowering them to participate in political discourse