High School Civics Textbooks: What We Know Versus What We Teach about American Politics and Public Policy

Scholars of American politics and public policy recognize the interdependence of governments and corporations in the United States. This article presents research findings that high school civics textbooks, where most Americans first encounter the research and theories of political science, have little to say about this interdependence. This challenges our civic education aspirations and leaves many Americans without means of understanding or effectively engaging important current public policy controversies. One possible remedy: include interdependence in textbook treatments of the separation of powers.