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Gateways to Democracy: An Introduction to American Government, 6th Edition

John G. Geer, Richard Herrera, Wendy J. Schiller, Jeffrey A. Segal

  • Copyright 2026
  • {{checkPublicationMessage('Published', '2025-01-01T00:00:00+0000')}}
Starting At $79.95 See pricing and ISBN options
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Gateways to Democracy: An Introduction to American Government 6th Edition by John G. Geer/Richard Herrera/Wendy J. Schiller/Jeffrey A. Segal
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Overview

Geer/Herrera/Schiller/Segal's GATEWAYS TO DEMOCRACY: AN INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT, 6th Edition, introduces students to the U.S. political system through the "gateways" framework, including examples of groups and movements that have overcome obstacles to influence government and public policy. Students improve data analysis skills with discussions on election politics and their aftermath. A focus on diversity shows how the changing demographics of American voting public influence have shifted party positions on key policy issues. Important issues are tackled like the reconfigured Supreme Court, gun control, the reach of the executive branch in policymaking and the contestation over abortion. Students learn to open the "gates" in their lives and become informed voters who are active in their local, state and national governments. MindTap and Cengage Infuse are also available.

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Meet the Authors

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John G. Geer

John G. Geer is the Ginny and Conner Searcy Dean of the College of Arts and Science at Vanderbilt University, a professor of political science and co-director of the Vanderbilt Poll. He teaches Introduction to American Politics, as well as specialty courses on elections and campaigns, and has been honored with numerous teaching awards at both Arizona State University and Vanderbilt University. In addition, he has been a visiting scholar at Harvard University and Princeton University. Dr. Geer has published widely, including IN DEFENSE OF NEGATIVITY, which won the Goldsmith Prize from the Shorenstein Center at Harvard University. A frequent commentator in the press, he has made appearances on all the major networks (Fox News, CBS Evening News, CNN) and has been quoted in THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE WASHINGTON POST and the LOS ANGELES TIMES. He also has done interviews for major international outlets, such as BBC and Al Jazeera. He received his Ph.D. from Princeton University.

Richard Herrera

Richard Herrera is Professor Emeritus of Political Science in the School of Politics and Global Studies at Arizona State University, where he taught for 30 years, including courses in American politics, American political parties and American politics and film. He also directed the ASU Capital Scholars Washington, D.C., Summer Internship program and received the Faculty Teaching Achievement Award at ASU in 2020. Dr. Herrera has contributed articles to the AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE REVIEW, JOURNAL OF POLITICS, LEGISLATIVE STUDIES QUARTERLY and STATE POLITICS AND POLICY QUARTERLY. Currently, his research interests are focused on U.S. governors, their ideology, policy agendas and representative functions. He received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Wendy J. Schiller

Wendy Schiller is the Royce Family Professor of Teaching Excellence in Political Science and professor of public and international affairs at Brown University, where she teaches courses on a wide range of American politics topics, including Introduction to the American Political Process, The American Presidency, Congress and Public Policy, Parties and Interest Groups, and The Philosophy of the American Founding. She also is a political analyst for local and national media outlets. Dr. Schiller's published works include ELECTING THE SENATE: INDIRECT DEMOCRACY BEFORE THE SEVENTEENTH AMENDMENT with Charles Stewart III, THE CONTEMPORARY CONGRESS with Burdett Loomis and PARTNERS AND RIVALS: REPRESENTATION IN U.S. SENATE DELEGATIONS. In her prior roles, she was legislative assistant for Sen. Daniel P. Moynihan, a federal lobbyist for Gov. Mario M. Cuomo, a guest scholar and Ph.D. fellow at the Brookings Institution and a postdoctoral fellow at Princeton University. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Rochester. She can be found on Twitter at profwschiller.

Jeffrey A. Segal

Jeffrey A. Segal is SUNY Distinguished Professor and chair of the political science department at Stony Brook University. He has served as Senior Visiting Research Scholar at Princeton University and held a Guggenheim Fellowship. Dr. Segal is best known, with Harold Spaeth, as the leading proponent of the attitudinal model of Supreme Court decision-making. Dr. Segal twice won the Wadsworth Award for a book (with Spaeth) or article 10 years or older with lasting influence on law and courts. He also won the C. Herman Pritchett Award (again with Spaeth) for best book on law and courts. His work on the influence of strategic factors on Supreme Court decision-making won the Franklin Burdette Award from APSA. With Lee Epstein, Kevin Quinn and Andrew Martin, he won Green Bag's award for exemplary legal writing. In addition, he won a national award sponsored by the American Bar Association for innovative teaching and instructional methods and materials in law and courts. He received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University.

What's New

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  • The text includes the most up-to-date data and literature available, giving students the latest insights into the U.S. political system.
  • Significantly revamped chapters on public opinion and social media reflect the ever-changing nature of these topics.
  • Additional coverage includes President Biden's full term, impact of major legislation, changes to the Democratic ticket in summer of 2024, congressional politics and more.
  • Additional coverage of political participation beyond voting, including protest politics on college campuses and January 6, 2021 protests in Washington, DC, has been added.

Features

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  • The author's emphasis on gates and gateways gives students a thorough understanding of the opportunities and challenges of American democracy.
  • A focus on inclusivity and diversity highlights important contributions of individuals and groups to public policy.
  • Expansive policy coverage includes a section in every chapter as well as a full stand-alone chapter, enabling instructors to focus on policy as much or as little as they want.
  • Each chapter spotlights a Supreme Court case that illustrates the constitutional and legal context in which American democracy has evolved.

Table of Contents

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Introduction.
1. Gateways to American Democracy.
Part I: BUILDING A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT.
2. The Constitution.
3. Federalism.
4. Civil Liberties.
5. Civil Rights.
Part II: CITIZEN GATEWAYS TO DEMOCRACY.
6. Public Opinion.
7. The News and Social Media.
8. Interest Groups.
9. Political Parties.
10. Elections and Campaigns.
11. Voting and Participation.
Part III: THE INSTITUTIONS OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT.
12. Congress.
13. The Presidency.
14. The Bureaucracy.
15. The Judiciary.
CONCLUSION.
16. Economic, Domestic, and Foreign Policy.
Appendix.
A. The Declaration of Independence.
B. The Constitution of the United States.
C. Federalist Papers 10 and 51.

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MindTap Options

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MindTap
Each MindTap product offers the full, mobile-ready textbook combined with superior and proven learning tools at one affordable price. Students who purchase digital access can add a print option at any time when a print option is available for their course.

This Cengage solution can be seamlessly integrated into most Learning Management Systems (Blackboard, Brightspace by D2L, Canvas, Moodle, and more) but does require a different ISBN for access codes. Please work with your Cengage Learning Consultant to ensure the proper course set up and ordering information. For additional information, please visit the LMS Integration site.

Standalone Digital Access — Ultimate Value

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  • ISBN-10: 8214145988
  • ISBN-13: 9798214145983
  • RETAIL $84.95
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Textbook Only Options

Traditional eBook and Print Options

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  • ISBN-10: 8214146054
  • ISBN-13: 9798214146058
  • RETAIL $79.95

  • ISBN-10: 8214145937
  • ISBN-13: 9798214145938
  • RETAIL $162.95
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Supplements

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Cengage provides a range of supplements that are updated in coordination with the main title selection. For more information about these supplements, contact your Learning Consultant.

FOR STUDENTS

MindTap for Geer/Herrera/Schiller/Segal's Gateways to Democracy: An Introduction to American Government, 1 term Instant Access

ISBN: 9798214145983
MindTap for Geer/Herrera/Schiller/Segal's GATEWAYS TO DEMOCRACY: AN INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT, 6th Edition, is the digital learning solution that powers students from memorization to mastery. It gives you complete control of your course to provide engaging content, challenge every individual and build their confidence. Empower students to accelerate their progress with MindTap. MindTap: Powered by You. MindTap helps your students see why these topics matter to them and develop their critical thinking and application skills. Why Does This Topic Matter to Me? activities at the beginning of each chapter help students see the connection between the upcoming chapter and their daily lives, while the Case Studies and Reconsider the Issue activities require students to think critically about analyzing issues, data and more to answer a series of auto-graded questions. MindTap gives you complete ownership of your content and learning experience. Customize the interactive syllabi, emphasize the most important topics and add your own material or notes in the eBook.