Americans: if you had to represent the USA with only three things, what would they be? [more inside]
posted by lapsangsouchong on Oct 22, 2009 - 95 answers

Where is that particular political map of America that shows a county by county breakdown of party and population via 3D extrusion? [more inside]
posted by Brandon Blatcher on Nov 5, 2008 - 6 answers

So Hunter S Thompson's dead and I don't really know which writers to turn to, as the American election year gets underway, who can bring the mad skills, the savage wit, and the dedication to cutting through the usual bullshit. Wanna-be gonzo schtick I'm not so excited by; clear, fearless, honest voices for the win! Drug references optional. [more inside]
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken on Jan 3, 2008 - 25 answers

What does it mean to you (yes, YOU there, reading this) to be an American? [more inside]
posted by bam on Aug 17, 2007 - 113 answers

Partly inspired by this question, what are some examples of Europe's subtler disdains of American culture in the 60s and 70s? To put it differently and more focused on my research purposes , where can I find commentary on France's/Italy's anti-American response to the information gathered in Servan-Schrieber's The American Challenge ? [more inside]
posted by time to put your air goggles on! on May 14, 2007 - 2 answers

How does one compare Max Weber's idea of American society with Alexis de Tocqueville's? I've read "Democracy in America" and the "Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capialism." [more inside]
posted by jne1813 on Nov 3, 2006 - 5 answers

To what extent do political organisations in the US use religious issues to manipulate the electorate? Ideas for political research -US perspective please! [more inside]
posted by Flamingoroad on Oct 3, 2006 - 17 answers

Where does Mexico end and the USA begin? [more inside]
posted by five fresh fish on Jun 26, 2006 - 29 answers

Are Americans really all that ignorant? [more inside]
posted by BigBrownBear on Nov 18, 2005 - 84 answers

Good books to read before wandering about Central and South America for a few months? [more inside]
posted by airguitar on Nov 11, 2005 - 19 answers

I really want to understand: Why did you vote for Bush? Not snark at all -- a sincere question. I voted for Kerry. 51% of the people in this country think differently than I do and I'd like to try to get past my usual filters and biases and hear your point of view. If you voted for Bush/Cheney I'd appreciate you taking the time to explain to me what issues, beliefs, hopes, and fears motivated you voted the way you did, if you're willing.
posted by papercake on Nov 6, 2004 - 62 answers

AskMefi provided some great answers a few weeks ago to my solicitation for book recommendations. Now for a similar but unrelated question. I have a friend at law school who is an exchange student from Europe. He has had none of the mandated high school U.S. history curriculum that had been drilled into the heads of the rest of us years ago. As such, he would like some background on American political history to supplement our constitutional law lectures and McCloskey and Levinson's The American Supreme Court, which has been assigned for the class. Any suggestions?
posted by PrinceValium on Feb 5, 2004 - 5 answers