Dynamics of American political parties
By: Mark D. Brewer, Jeffrey M. Stonecash.
Contributors: Stonecash, Jeffrey M.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2009
Place of publication: Cambridge; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 256
ISBN-13: 9780521882309; 9780521708876
Subjects: Political parties -- United States -- History; United States -- Politics and government -- 1865-1933; United States -- Politics and government -- 20th century; United States -- Politics and government -- 2001-
Description: From the publisher. In Dynamics of American Political Parties, Mark D. Brewer and Jeffrey M. Stonecash examine the process of gradual change that inexorably shapes and reshapes American politics. Parties and the politicians that comprise them seek control of government in order to implement their visions of proper public policy. To gain control parties need to win elections, and winning elections requires assembling an electoral coalition that is larger than that crafted by the opposition. Parties are always looking for opportunities to build such winning coalitions, and opportunities are always there, but they are rarely, if ever, without risk. Uncertainty rules and intra-party conflict rages as different factions and groups within the parties debate the proper course(s) of action and battle it out for control of the party. Parties can never be sure how their strategic maneuvers will play out, and, even when it appears that a certain strategy has been successful, party leaders are unclear about how long apparent success will last. Change unfolds slowly, in fits and starts.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Democracy, representation, and parties; title: Overview : social change and shifting party bases; title: Taking shape : party coalitions in the post-bellum nineteenth century; title: Republican ascendancy and Democratic efforts to respond, 1896-1928; title: New Deal dominance and struggles with internal diversity; title: The Democratic drive to the great society; title: Republicans : reasserting conservative principles and seeking a majority; title: The Democratic struggle to respond; title: George Bush and further polarization; title: The 2008 election and its interpretation; title: Parties and the pursuit of majorities.