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American Political Systems: Government Databases and Websites

Web Links

If you're looking for government publications on a policy topic, spend some time poking around the relevant agency websites.  You can also try a more general portal like USA.gov, which can point you to information on a topic regardless of what agency produced it.

Government Statistics

Google Scholar

Google Scholar Search

CQ Encyclopedia of American Government

CQ's Encyclopedia of American Government  is a resource that provides answers to the full range of questions that students, government professionals, interested citizens, and other researchers have about the institutions of U.S. government. Based on the new editions of the CQ Press American Government A to Zseries, CQ Encyclopedia of American Government (EAG) offers thousands of concise, up-to-date explanations of the who, how, and why of American democracy.

CQ Electric Library

The CQ Electronic Library is made up of nine separate databases - CQ Researcher, a complete source for in-depth analysis reporting on the most current and controversial issues of the day, CQ Encyclopedia of American Government provides up-to-date explanations of the who, how, and why of American democracy, CQ Public Affairs Collection includes primary source documents, statistical overviews, contact information and in-depth reporting on current affairs, CQ Supreme Court Collection blends historical analysis with timely updates and expert commentary of Supreme Court decisions, biographies of Supreme Court justices, Supreme Court institutional history, and the U.S. Constitution, CQ Voting and Elections Collection integrates a wealth of data, authoritative analyses, concise explanations, and historical material to help researchers investigate and understand voting and elections in America, and CQ Historic Documents Series Online Edition collects more than 2,500 primary sources covering current events around the world from 1972 to present and provides a clear, logical organization and tools for exploring these rich resources.

Journals on Policy

Curriculum Resource Center

Facts on File Video Clips on Government Policy

Transparency in Government

 

Transparency in Government

Here is a list of various organizations promoting transparency in government as a basic tenet of democracy:

  • GovTrack.us  
    Provides easy to use information on the status of legislation and bills, voting records and information on members of Congress.
  • OpenCongress.org  
    Focuses on the daily activities of Congress to provide in-depth information to the public to ensure transparency in government and encourage civic engagement.
  • Sunlight Foundation      
    Fosters more openness and accountability in government through information projects and grants.
  • Obama Administration - Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government  
    The Obama Administration calls for increased transparency and openness in the Executive and Legislative branches of the US government.
  • OMB Watch  
    Focuses on the activities of the OMB and calls for greater transparency of the decisions and activities made within this important office.

St. Xavier Political Science & Government Ebooks

Google Government Search

Thomas (Library of Congress)

 

Thomas: [U.S.} Legislative Information on the Internet from the Library of Congress

Includes full text of Bills, the Congressional Record, Public laws, Comittee proceedings, hirstorical documents and treaties (beginning with the 94th Congress). Committee proceedings begin with the 104th Congress (1995-1996), but most other publications go back further

Policy Resources