Title: First to the party : the group origins of party transformation /
Authors: Baylor, Christopher,
Year: 2018
Subjects: Democratic Party (U.S.) Membership.; Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- ) Membership.; Democratic Party (U.S.); Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- ); Political parties United States History; Political parties United States History; Political participation United States History; Political participation United States History; Membership requirements.; Political participation; Political parties; Politics and government.; United States Politics and government; United States Politics and government; United States
Abstract: What determines the interests, ideologies, and alliances that make up political parties? In its entire history, the United States has had only a handful of party transformations. First to the Party concludes that groups like unions and churches, not voters or politicians, are the most consistent influences on party transformation.
Contents: Building blocs: groups and contested party transformations -- Overcoming a troubled history: civil rights groups seek a coalition with labor -- Labor's interest in a civil rights coalition -- Twisting the donkey's tail: how groups changed a reluctant party -- Maintaining the democratic trajectory on civil rights -- Conservative Christians before the Christian right -- A Christian right takes shape -- The first wave of cultural conservative politics -- Eating the elephant, one bite at a time: influencing a national party through state politics -- Conversions: Republican nominations after Reagan -- Other evidence: populism and gay rights.