The text that professors trust to get students thinking analytically about American government now includes new content on how race, gender, and group identity intersect with political behavior and institutions. And, leading scholars have contributed new "Analyzing the Evidence" features that engage students with the questions and methods that political students use themselves. The 2014 Election Update editions include results and analysis from the 2014 election results as well as updated discussions of other important political developments, such as Obama's executive orders on immigration and the new limits on the filibuster. In addition, many figures and tables have been updated with the latest data. In each chapter of Faultlines, two or more readings present opposing perspectives on contemporary political issues. About half of the readings are new, and most address current issues such as immigration policy and income inequality. Headnotes in every chapter put the readings into a broader political context, and each chapter concludes with discussion questions that encourage students to think critically about the readings and the issues they raise.