"explores the events, policies, people, ideas, institutions, groups, and movements that have created and shaped political life in the United States. With contributions from scholars in the fields of history and political science, this encyclopedia provides students, researchers, and scholars the opportunity to examine the political evolution of the United States from the colonial period to the present day. It identifies and illuminates patterns and interrelations in American political institutions, culture, and behavior. The encyclopedia is organized around seven time periods that correspond to key eras in American history. This chronological organization enables users to trace themes over time or delve deeply into the interconnected elements of a particular era."

v. 1. Colonial beginnings through Revolution, 1500 to 1783 / editor, Andrew W. Robertson -- v. 2. The early republic, 1784 to 1840 / editor, Michael A. Morrison -- v. 3. Expansion, division, and Reconstruction, 1841 to 1877 / editor, William G. Shade -- v. 4. From the gilded age through age of reform, 1878 to 1920 / editor, Robert D. Johnston -- v. 5. Prosperity, Depression, and war, 1921 to 1945 / editor, Robert H. Zieger -- v. 6. Postwar consensus to social unrest, 1946 to 1975 / editor, Thomas S. Langston -- v. 7. The clash of conservatism and liberalism, 1976 to present / editor, Richard M. Valelly.