Introducing students to the American political system, Geer/Herrera/Schiller/Segal's GATEWAYS TO DEMOCRACY, 5th edition, spotlights the "gateways" that facilitate -- or block -- participation. Helping students see the relevance of government in their own lives, the text emphasizes how the political system works and how individuals and groups have opened gates and overcome participation barriers to influence public policy. Reflecting America's changing demographic infrastructure, the 5th edition offers expansive discussions of the 2020 elections, diversity with a focus on Black and Latino activism, and the advancement of LGBTQ rights. In every chapter, Supreme Court cases illustrate the constitutional and legal context in which U.S. democracy has evolved, while a Political Analytics feature helps students evaluate the vast amounts of data in today's political discourse. Also available: MindTap.