High-Tech Grass Roots The Professionalization of Local Elections

by Strachan, Cherie J.

• ISBN13: 9780742517660
• ISBN10: 0742517667
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-12-24
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Summary

Election campaigns in small and mid-sized electoral districts have been run from the grass roots from the beginning of the republic. Yard signs, door-to-door canvassing, and soap-box oratory have characterized state and local elections for years, and many predict their persistence into the 21st century. This book looks at new trends in small-town politics, tracking the infiltration of sophisticated communications technology, the use of political consultants, and the increase in fundraising and campaign expenditures. Original surveys, interviews, and in-depth case studies lead the author to conclude that the new tactics are with us to stay, but that their potentially negative effects--rising campaign budgets and diminished citizen participation--may be mitigated by creative approaches to reform. Visit our website for sample chapters!

Author Biography

J. Cherie Strachan is assistant professor of communication at the University of Albany in Albany, New York.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
The Latest Trends in U.S. Political Campaigns	1	(20)
How Are Local Candidates Campaigning for Office?	21	(16)
Why Are Local Candidates Adopting New-Style Campaign Strategies?	37	(32)
How Will Encroaching Campaign Sophistication Affect the Health of Democracy?	69	(36)
Electoral Reform from the Grass Roots	105	(18)
Appendix A A Detailed Account of Data Collection	123	(6)
Appendix B Summarizing Campaign Sophistication	129	(4)
References	133	(6)
Index	139	(4)
About the Author	143