Bardes/Shelley/Schmidt's AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS TODAY, THE ESSENTIALS, 20th Edition, inspires and equips students to become active, informed citizens. Making politics personal, it focuses on how government impacts readers -- now and in the future. Unbiased, concisely organized and updated with 2020 election analysis, it delivers thorough coverage in a streamlined, easy-to-read format. It emphasizes critical thinking about political issues while encouraging students to become involved in the political process. Current, compelling and thought-provoking examples truly engage students. MindTap -- Cengage's online learning solution -- is available and fully integrated with this text. In a time of enhanced distance learning necessitated by the COVID-19 global pandemic, these tools for student engagement are essential components of a successful course on U.S. government and politics.