The underdog in American politics
Subtitle: the democratic party and liberal values
By: Karl G. Trautman.
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Published: 2009
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 265
ISBN-13: 9780230102743
Subjects: Democratic Party (U.S.) -- History; Liberalism -- United States -- History; United States -- Politics and government
Description: The Underdog in American Politics is an original analysis of how the underdog concept applies to the Democratic Party and American politics and culture. In particular, it analyzes how the power of the underdog has shaped, and reflected, the politics of Democrats running for president. From Thomas Jefferson to Barack Obama, the author uses biography, ideology, campaign strategy and public policies to depict the many different points of contact between Democrats and underdogs. The core values of equality, fairness and non-discrimination are analyzed. The role of sympathy and empathy towards underdogs is also examined.
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: Culture and underdogs : the Endearing appeal; title: The political culture and core ideals of democrats; title: The founders and the great commoner : Jefferson, Jackson and Bryan; title: The glory days : FDR to Humphrey; title: The 1970s and 1980s : Mcgovern, Carter, Hart and Jackson; title: The 1990s to 2004 : Bill Clinton, Al Gore and Howard Dean; title: Barack Obama and the future of the democratic party.