Title: Political parties matter : realignment and the return of partisan voting /
Authors: Stonecash, Jeffrey M.
Publisher: Lynne Rienner Publishers,
Year: 2006
Subjects: Party affiliation United States.; Party affiliation United States History.; Political parties United States; Political parties United States History; Voting United States; Voting United States History.
Abstract: "After years of decline, why has party attachment become a strong force once again in U.S. politics? Jeffrey Stonecash argues that the recent resurgence of partisanship is but the latest chapter in a larger story of party realignment - a story that reaffirms the centrality of political parties." "Stonecash marshals rich data from more than a century of elections to highlight unexpected patterns of voting behavior with key significance today. As party constituencies continue to reorganize, he contends convincingly, the United States will face the strengthening of party attachments and growing political polarization."--Jacket.
Contents: The puzzling reemergence of partisanship -- The great transition -- The consequences of change -- Changing party compositions and voter response -- Split outcomes in House districts -- The rise and decline of split-ticket voting and party defections -- Changes in party identification -- The future of partisanship -- Appendix A: The role of closeness of elections -- Appendix B: Data by House districts -- Appendix C: Measurement error and partisanship.