American Political Parties and Elections: A Very Short IntroductionOxford University Press, 2007 M08 10 - 192 pages Few Americans and even fewer citizens of other nations understand the electoral process in the United States. Still fewer understand the role played by political parties in the electoral process or the ironies within the system. Participation in elections in the United States is much lower than in the vast majority of mature democracies. Perhaps this is because of the lack of competition in a country where only two parties have a true chance of winning, despite the fact that a large number of citizens claim allegiance to neither and think badly of both. Or perhaps it is because in the U.S. campaign contributions disproportionately favor incumbents in most legislative elections, or that largely unregulated groups such as the now notorious 527s have as much impact on the outcome of a campaign as do the parties or the candidates' campaign organizations. Studying these factors, you begin to get a very clear picture indeed of the problems that underlay our much trumpeted electoral system. This Very Short Introduction introduces the reader to these issues and more, providing an insider's view of how the system actually works while shining a light on some of its flaws. As we enter what is sure to be yet another highly contested election year, it is more important than ever that Americans take the time to learn the system that puts so many in power. About the Series: Oxford's Very Short Introductions series offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects--from Islam to Sociology, Politics to Classics, Literary Theory to History, and Archaeology to the Bible. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each volume in this series provides trenchant and provocative--yet always balanced and complete--discussions of the central issues in a given discipline or field. Every Very Short Introduction gives a readable evolution of the subject in question, demonstrating how the subject has developed and how it has influenced society. Eventually, the series will encompass every major academic discipline, offering all students an accessible and abundant reference library. Whatever the area of study that one deems important or appealing, whatever the topic that fascinates the general reader, the Very Short Introductions series has a handy and affordable guide that will likely prove indispensable. |
Contents
1 | |
2 A brief history of American political parties | 28 |
What do they look like? What do they do? | 56 |
4 Who are Republicans? Who are Democrats? Who are the others? | 77 |
Nominating campaigns and general elections | 91 |
6 Subnational nominations and elections | 117 |
7 Far from the perfect democracy | 135 |
Notes | 148 |
For further reading | 159 |
Index | 163 |
Other editions - View all
American Political Parties and Elections: A Very Short Introduction L. Sandy Maisel Limited preview - 2007 |
American Political Parties and Elections: A Very Short Introduction L. Sandy Maisel Limited preview - 2007 |
American Political Parties and Elections: A Very Short Introduction Louis Sandy Maisel Limited preview - 2016 |
Common terms and phrases
affiliation African Americans Al Gore American democracy American elections American political parties aql American political ballot Bush campaign finance candidacy cast caucus century chair challengers changed chosen citizens coalition competition Congress congressional contested convention Deal coalition defined delegates Democratic party difficult dominated Electoral College Electoral College system electoral process electoral votes favor federal field find first five flaws George H. W. Bush George W governor groups Hill committees House of Representatives Howard Dean identified important incumbents influence issues japq v American John legislators legislature major parties National Committee national parties nominating process office officeholders parties and elections partisan party leaders party organizations party’s percent polls presidential election presidential nomination presumptive nominee primary election races reflect reform Republican National Committee Republican party result role rules runoff seats seeking reelection significant significantly single-member districts specific statewide turnout U.S. senators United views voters