Click here to preview the Introduction. Most would agree that American democracy thrives when citizens are informed and responsive. So how best to teach today's students not only how government works, but also why it works-and maybe, more importantly, why it doesn't always work? Hudson provides the perfect supplement for those who want to elicit a more critical look at the functioning of our political system. He outlines eight major challenges facing America as a new president takes office, ranging from the strength of the judiciary to the trade-offs between national security and personal pr.