Party Politics in America

by Beck, Paul Allen; Hershey, Marjorie Randon

• ISBN13: 9780321052735
• ISBN10: 0321052730
• Edition: 9th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-10-01
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Summary

The definitive text on American party politics, this highly- respected best-seller has been thoroughly updated through 2000. With comprehensive coverage of our party system (including third parties and independents), the text examines three primary components of the partiesparty organization, party in the electorate, party in governmentand the interaction of these components, especially during election campaigns. The authors integrate academic research with contemporary and historical examples of party politics in the United States, to bring to life the fascinating story of how parties have helped to shape our political system.

Table of Contents

Contents in Detail	vii
Preface	xvii
Part One Parties and Party Systems	1	(50)
In Search of the Political Parties	5	(22)
The American Two-Party System	27	(24)
Part Two The Political Party as an Organization	51	(60)
The State and Local Party Organizations	55	(19)
National Organizations: A New Presence at the Summit	74	(18)
The Political Party of the Activists	92	(19)
Part Three The Political Party in the Electorate	111	(58)
The Loyal Electorates	115	(18)
The Party within the Voter	133	(15)
The Active Electorate	148	(21)
Part Four The Political Parties in the Electoral Process	169	(86)
The Naming of the Party Candidates	171	(16)
Choosing the Presidential Nominees	187	(22)
Parties and the Campaign for Election	209	(21)
Financing the Campaigns	230	(25)
Part Five The Party in Government	255	(78)
Party and Partisans in the Legislature	259	(21)
The Party in the Executive and Judiciary	280	(17)
The Quest for Party Government	297	(19)
The Place of Parties in American Politics	316	(17)
Party Politics on the Internet	333	(4)
End Notes	337	(52)
Index	389