Dynamics of American Political Parties

by Mark D. Brewer , Jeffrey M. Stonecash

• ISBN13: 9780521708876
• ISBN10: 0521708877
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-07-27
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

The New Dynamics of American Political Parties examines the process of gradual change that inexorably shapes and reshapes American politics. Parties and the politicians that comprise them seek control of government in order to implement their visions of proper public policy. To gain control parties need to win elections, and winning elections requires assembling an electoral coalition that is larger than that crafted by the opposition. Uncertainty rules and intra-party conflict rages as different factions and groups within the parties debate the proper course(s) of action and battle it out for control of the party. Parties can never be sure how their strategic maneuvers will play out, and, even when it appears that a certain strategy has been successful, party leaders are unclear about how long apparent success will last. Change unfolds slowly, in fits and starts.

Author Biography

Mark D. Brewer is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Maine. His research focuses on partisanship and electoral behavior, the linkages between public opinion and public policy, and the interactions between religion and politics in the United States. Jeffrey M. Stonecash is Maxwell Professor in the Department of Political Science, The Maxwell School, Syracuse University. He researches political Science, The Maxwell School, Syracuse University. He researches political parties, changes in their electoral bases, and how these changes affect political polarization and public policy debates.

Table of Contents

Figures and Tables	p. viii
Preface	p. xi
Democracy, Representation, and Parties	p. 1
Overview: Social Change and Shifting Party Bases	p. 16
Taking Shape: Party Coalitions in the Post-Bellum Nineteenth Century	p. 33
Republican Ascendancy and Democratic Efforts To Respond, 1896-1928	p. 48
Tables Turn: The New Deal Era and Democratic Dominance, 1932-1948	p. 66
The Democratic Drive to the Great Society	p. 81
Republicans: Reasserting Conservative Principles and Seeking A Majority	p. 104
The Struggle of Democrats to Interpret Change and Respond	p. 145
George Bush and Further Polarization	p. 166
The 2008 Election and its Interpretation	p. 184
Parties and the Pursuit of Majorities	p. 200
Bibliography	p. 211
Index	p. 233
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