Students are often hesitant to become involved in the political process, but American Government and Politics Today 2009-2010 Edition, 14e inspires readers to take action. The book uses intriguing examples and hands-on exercises to engage readers in the fascinating intricacies of American government -- including details from the recent presidential election. As it introduces concepts, it illustrates that active participation can be as simple as calling a local politician to share an opinion, registering to vote, or viewing a town council meeting on local access cable -- demonstrating how small steps can make a big difference.