{"product_id":"how-washington-actually-works-for-dummies-isbn-9781118312957","title":"How Washington Actually Works For Dummies","description":"\u003cb\u003eGet the inside scoop on the most powerful city on Earth\u003c\/b\u003e  \u003cp\u003eWashington, D.C.: Capital of the Free World; the most powerful city on Earth. No other country, company, or international organization can compare with the reach and wealth of the federal government. Policymaking — the art of deciding what programs to support, what laws to pass, or what regulations to write — is at the core of what Washington does and is what everyone, from the President on down, wants to influence.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eHow Washington Actually Works For Dummies\u003c\/i\u003e isn't a dry explanation of the American system of government but a playbook for how Washington really works: who has a seat at the table, how the policymaking process works, and how one survives. It takes you inside the political process in Washington, discusses changes in recent decades, and explains how the parts fit together. You find out:\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eWho really runs Washington\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eWhy the President’s power is limited\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eHow Congress (and its committee structure) works\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eWhat the bureaucrats — the men and women behind the curtain — do to earn your tax dollars\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eHow lobbyists, activists, and other players influence policy\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn a presidential election year when economic issues are center stage and the candidates will go head to head in policy debates, there’s no better time to discover the ins and outs of how policy is actually made.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIntroduction 1\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbout This Book 2\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConventions Used in This Book 2\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFoolish Assumptions 2\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIcons Used in This Book 3\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhere to Go from Here 3\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 1: A Brief History of Washington 5\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBecoming the National Capital 5\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePutting D.C on the map 6\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBuilding Georgetown and Alexandria 6\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSitting far from the early seats of power 7\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMeeting in Mount Vernon and Annapolis 8\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWheeling and dealing 9\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDesigning the national capital 11\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWatching the City Develop 12\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrowing the Government in the 20th Century 14\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Roosevelt Years: The New Deal and World War II 14\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrom the Cold War to the new millennium 15\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEyeing D.C Today 16\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCharting a changing demographic 16\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTouting a recession-proof economy 17\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRespecting D.C.’s rankings 18\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentifying the Washington Establishment 19\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePutting the President and Congress in their place 20\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFocusing on federal bureaucrats 20\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpotting the lobbyists 21\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecognizing other voices in the debate 21\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrying to figure out who really runs the show 21\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIgnoring the establishment at your own peril 22\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 2: The People behind the Curtain: Federal Bureaucrats 23\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEmbracing the Bureaucracy 24\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFilling Plum Positions: Career Officials versus Appointees 25\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAppreciating the Power of the Executive Office of the President 26\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRunning the Nation’s Business in the Cabinet and Departments 30\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFilling in the Gaps with Agencies from A–Z 31\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat to Wear, or How to Spot Federal Workers 32\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 3: Professional Persuaders: Lobbyists 35\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExercising the Right to Petition 36\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentifying Interest Groups 37\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLarge corporations 37\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrade associations 39\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLabor unions 41\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIssue-oriented organizations 41\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOther interest groups 42\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRealizing the Role Played by Lobbying and Consulting Firms 42\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBringing Legal Firms into the Lobbying Mix 43\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegulating the Lobbying Industry 44\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDefining a lobbyist 44\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConsidering the case of foreign agents 46\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFollowing the gifting rules 48\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLobbying via Social Media 50\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 4: Other Voices in the Debate: Outsiders, Gatecrashers, and Wallflowers 51\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFiguring Out What Think Tanks Do 52\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrying to influence policy debates 52\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRepresenting a cause or agenda 53\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEmploying former public servants 54\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInforming the public 54\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnalyzing the Efforts of Activists and NGOs 55\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFeeling the Influence of Foreign Governments 57\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInteracting with International Organizations 59\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll Press Is Good Press: The Media 61\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpotting the many players 61\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNational, local, and foreign media outlets 61\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpecialist media outlets 62\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e24-hour outlets: Cable news and social media 63\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBreaking news in a cutthroat environment 63\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInfluencing policy (for better or worse) 65\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 5: Congress 67\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBrowsing the Basic Responsibilities of Congress 67\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWielding the power of the purse 68\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOverseeing the executive branch 68\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCarrying out other constitutional duties 69\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStudying the Structure of Congress 70\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpotlighting the Senate 70\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHoming in on the House 70\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpotting the legislative leaders 71\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAppreciating the Committee Process 73\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHelping legislators gain expertise 73\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eServing as a source of power 74\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBringing a Bill — and Possibly a Law — to Life 76\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInvestigating the Importance of Money 78\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFocusing on campaign fundraising 78\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlaying with PACs and special interests 79\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBecoming beholden to financial supporters 79\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat do you get for your money? 80\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 6: The Presidency 81\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Workings of the White House 81\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFulfilling the duties of office 82\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConstitutional duties 82\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelf-imposed duties 84\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKnowing his limitations: Can one man change Washington? 84\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsing the bully pulpit 85\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRelying on his support team 86\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGoverning from the bubble 87\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCampaigning and Policymaking 89\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDonating money and influencing policy 89\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConcentrating disproportionate power in swing states 90\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDealing with party politics 91\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA Day in the Life 92\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 7: Policymaking 95\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRealizing That Anyone Can Think Up New Policy 95\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGetting Ideas to the Policymakers 96\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecognizing the policy triangle 96\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePutting the idea on the decision-makers’ agenda 97\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEmploying Advocacy to Influence Policy Decisions 98\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDefining our terms: Advocacy and lobbying 98\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDistinguishing indirect and direct advocacy 100\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBuilding an advocacy message 101\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePracticing a powerful delivery 101\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGetting a reality check from Washington insiders 103\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTurning Bills into Laws 103\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWriting Regulations to Support the Laws 107\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWielding Influence beyond Laws and Regulations 108\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpotting Checks and Balances in Policy Implementation 108\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCongressional oversight: Keeping the executive branch in check 109\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe interagency process 110\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUntangling the Policy Web: The Power of Washington Insiders 112\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 8: Ten Ways to Participate in Washington Policymaking 113\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBe Informed 113\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRun for Congress (Or Join a Staff) 114\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJoin the Bureaucracy 115\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eContact Your Member of Congress 115\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJoin an Interest Group 117\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBe an Activist for a Day 117\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBe a Lobbyist for a Day 118\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSubmit Public Comments 119\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBe a Citizen Journalist 119\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJoin the Washington Establishment 120\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cb\u003eGreg Rushford\u003c\/b\u003e has been observing Washington's political scene since 1967 — first as a student, then as a congressional aide during the 1970s, and, in recent decades, as a journalist who specializes in the politics of international trade and diplomacy.  \u003cb\u003eGet the inside scoop on the most powerful city on Earth\u003c\/b\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eHow Washington Actually Works For Dummies\u003c\/i\u003e isn't a dry explanation of the American system of government but a playbook for how the policymaking process really works: who has a seat at the table, who is on the outside wielding influence, and who implements policy after it's approved. It takes you inside the political process in Washington, discusses how the government's power has grown through the years, and explains how the parts fit together.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eWashington's past and present — get a brief history of the city from its humble beginnings to its emergence as a seat of true power, and find out what life in D.C. is really like today\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eThe men and women behind the curtain — acquaint yourself with federal bureaucrats, from the Executive Office of the President to the Cabinet to the federal agency workers who keep the government running\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eProfessional persuaders — discover the ins and outs of what lobbyists do, what rights they have, and how they influence Washington\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eThe Oval Office — glimpse the day-to-day inner workings of the White House and how the president works with Congress, lobbyists, media, and constituents\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOpen the book and find:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eWho really wields power in Washington\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eWhy the president's influence is limited\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eHow a good policy idea can become a law\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eHow to spot a federal worker\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eTips for getting your foot in the door in D.C.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eWhat think tanks, activists, and other D.C. players do\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eTen ways to influence policymaking\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLearn to:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eGrasp what it's like behind the scenes in the most powerful city on Earth\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eExperience a day in the life of Congress\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eDiscover the workings of the White House\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eMake sense of how policy ideas are born\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"For Dummies","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47989386346725,"sku":"NP9781118312957","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781118312957.jpg?v=1761783908","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/how-washington-actually-works-for-dummies-isbn-9781118312957","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}