In a nation built by immigrants and bedeviled by the history and legacy of slavery and discrimination, issues of liberty, equality, and community continue to challenge Americans. In the sixth edition of this widely acclaimed text, Paula D. McClain and Joseph Stewart Jr. combine traditional elements of political science analysis—history, Constitutional theory, institutions, political behavior, and policy actors—with a fully updated survey of the political status of four major groups: African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and American Indians. The authors show similarities and differences in these groups’ political action and experience, and point the way toward coalition, competition, and consensus building in the face of ongoing conflict. Two dilemmas shape the book: How do we as a nation reconcile a commitment to equality with persistent inequality and discrimination? And what can we do about it—from the perspective of ethnic and racial minorities as well as within the dominant culture?

The sixth edition is thoroughly updated following the 2012 presidential election and provides new coverage of President Obama’s first term including discussions of judicial appointments, the Affordable Care Act, and other policy changes. With increased coverage of native Hawaiians and all new chapter openers, "Can We All Get Along?" continues to provide the most extensive comparative coverage of minority politics in the United States.