Product Description

Whether you understand politics or not, it still affects your life in very real ways. But American politics can be confusing. What’s a caucus? How do primaries work? How can you sift through all the babble to get to the truth?

Politics For Dummies offers all these answers and more. And it’s not just for political novices; even those with a firm understanding of politics can use this book to fill out their knowledge of the little complexities – from how the Electoral College works to campaign contribution limits. If you have little or no knowledge of politics, don’t worry. Most people need answers just like you do, that’s why this book helps you:

• Pick the candidate who best represents your views
• Donate time or money to a campaign
• Let your representatives know how you feel
• Run for office yourself

This simple, friendly guide offers the kind of straight talk on politics you won’t get from a politician. It covers the nuts and bolts of the political process so you’ll have a working knowledge of the system. It shows you how to get involved at the grass-roots level and explains the rationale behind the two-party system. It helps you parse the propaganda to get at the truth and offers a complete explanation of presidential politics. Politics For Dummies covers these topics and many more:

• How public opinion polls work
• How money influences policy
• Why your opinion really does count
• How to donate to political campaigns and causes
• Contacting your representatives
• Politics on the Internet
• Choosing parties and candidates
• Lobbyists and special interest groups
•  How candidates sell themselves
• How negative campaigning works
• What happened in the 2000 presidential election

You’ll also find fun and helpful extras like famous political quotes, the ten things you should teach your children about politics, and voting requirements for every state. Democracy won’t work for if you don’t participate in it. So pick up Politics For Dummies, get informed, and get involved. Your country will thank you!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15583 in Books
• Published on: 2002-05-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 360 pages

From the Back Cover
"Provides useful insights into the often mysterious world of politics."
—The Honorable Evan Bayh, United States Senator from Indiana

Discover how just one vote can make a difference

Politics made simple–from choosing candidates to lobbying for legislation

Confused by caucuses, primaries, and pollsters? Puzzled by the various parties and special interest groups? This fun and easy guide cuts through the political jargon and provides clear up-to-date details about everything from legislation to polls to presidential elections–and explains how you can become a political player yourself.

About the Author
Ann DeLaney is the first woman to be nominated by a major party as a candidate for lieutenant governor of Indiana. She has also served as commissioner of the Marion Superior Court.

Customer Reviews

A really bad read
I'm really disappointed in this book and would not recommend it to anyone interested in understanding the basics of politics.

There seemed to be many gaps of elementary information missing from this book. Such as, there was no discussion of term limits for elected officials (federal). How long the terms were for was discussed but not a word on the limits.

Also, I understand this book was written by a woman but this author's over use of the pronouns 'her' and 'she' drove me nuts. Okay, we get it females play a part in politics but the conventional way would have been to use 'his' or 'he'.

I'll be returning this book.

Great Political Tool
Right now Sarah Palin is using this most adequate political tool preparing for her debate against Joe Biden. After tomorrow evening (10/02/2008) we'll see how it worked.

Is was fine
I thought this book was informative and easy to read. I was happy with the purchase and the shipping time especially for the price.