Vital Statistics on American Politics

Vital Statistics on American Politics (VSAP) is a comprehensive source of historical and statistical information on American politics, covering various aspects such as political parties, voter turnout, public opinion, campaign finance, media perspective, congressional membership, the presidency, executive branch, military policy, Supreme Court, and federal court make-up. It offers over 230 tables and figures and includes new data literacy lessons to help students and researchers navigate and interpret the data.

Format: Hardback
Length: 544 pages
Publication date: 21 April 2022
Publisher: SAGE Publications Inc

No other source offers the comprehensive and in-depth analysis of American politics that is found in the Vital Statistics on American Politics (VSAP), which has been published since 1988. VSAP provides historical and statistical information on a wide range of topics related to American politics, including:
Political parties: VSAP offers detailed information on political parties in the United States, including their history, organization, and influence on American politics.
Voter turnout: VSAP provides data on voter turnout in presidential elections, congressional elections, and other political contests. This information can help researchers understand the level of political participation in the United States.
Public opinion: VSAP includes surveys and polls that provide insights into public opinion on a wide range of political issues, including the president, Congress, the Supreme Court, and other political figures.
Campaign finance: VSAP provides information on campaign finance in the United States, including contributions from individuals, corporations, and political action committees. This information can help researchers understand the role of money in politics.
Media perspective and influence: VSAP examines the role of the media in shaping public opinion and political outcomes. It includes information on media coverage of political events, media bias, and media influence on public opinion.
Congressional membership and voting patterns: VSAP provides data on congressional membership, including party affiliation, voting patterns, and committee assignments. This information can help researchers understand the dynamics of Congress and its role in shaping policy.
The presidency and executive branch: VSAP provides information on the presidency, including the election process, the powers and responsibilities of the president, and the executive branch. It also includes information on the cabinet and other senior executive officials.
Military policy and spending: VSAP provides data on military policy and spending in the United States, including defense spending, foreign policy, and military operations. This information can help researchers understand the role of the military in American politics and society.
Supreme Court and federal court make-up and caseloads: VSAP provides information on the Supreme Court and federal courts in the United States, including the composition of the courts, the number of cases filed, and the outcomes of cases. This information can help researchers understand the role of the courts in shaping American law and policy.
Foreign, social, and economic policy: VSAP includes information on foreign, social, and economic policy in the United States, including trade policy, immigration policy, and social welfare programs. This information can help researchers understand the complex interplay of these policies in American society.
In over 230 tables and figures, students and professional researchers will find chapters devoted to key subject areas such as elections and political parties, public opinion and voting, the media, the three branches of U.S. government, foreign, military, social and economic policy, and much more. This book provides a vivid and multifaceted portrait of the broad spectrum of United States politics and policies.

Along with updated and new data content, this edition offers brand new data literacy lessons that take a guided approach to teach data researchers how to navigate the sea of data and do the difficult work of grappling for the meaning of the data on their own. Lessons include understanding descriptive representation data, comparing data over time, noticing gaps in data, unpacking dichotomies of public opinion, and more.

In conclusion, the Vital Statistics on American Politics (VSAP) is a indispensable resource for students and professional researchers interested in understanding American politics and policies. With its comprehensive and in-depth analysis, updated and new data content, and data literacy lessons, VSAP provides a valuable guide to the complex and ever-changing world of American politics.

Weight: 890g
Dimension: 228 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781071836866
Edition number: 2017-2020