Parties and Elections in America

List of Figures and Tables

About the Authors

Preface

Acknowledgments

Chapter One: Elections and Political Parties

An Examination of Elections in the United States

The Role of Elections in Democratic Theory

Modes of Elections

Implications for Representation

Definitions of “Political Party” and “Party Systems”

Conclusion

Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Two: American Political Parties and Party Organization

The Development of American Political Parties

The First Party System

The Second Party System

The Third Party System

The Fourth Party System

The Fifth Party System

A Sixth Party System—Yes, But Defined How?

The Modern Party Organization

Local and County Organizations

State Party Organizations

Party Organization at the National Level

Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Three: Voting and Other Forms of Political Participation

Who Votes; Who Doesn’t

Expansion of the Franchise

Decline in Voter Participation

Voters in Presidential Elections

Models of Voting Behavior: The American Voter

Critics of the American Voter Model

Presidential Voting Reviewed

Voters in Congressional, Senatorial, and State and Local Elections

Voting Behavior Theory Revisited

Voting in the Real World

Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Four: Organized Groups in the Political Process

Organized Groups in American Politics

Political and Nonpolitical Associations

Politically Active Groups

Electoral Activities of Organized Groups

Working within the Party

Group Ratings

Political Action Committees

Interest Groups’ Influence on their Members

Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Five: Campaign Finance

The Long History of Campaign Finance Reform

The Climate for Reform

The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 and Efforts at Amendment

Buckley v. Valeo, 424 U.S. 1 (1976) and Its Impact

The Seven-Year Battle for McCain-Feingold and Its Demise

The Costs of Democracy and Who Pays for It

The Costs

Sources of Campaign Funds

Campaign Finance in a Post–Citizens United and Post-McCutcheon World

Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Six: State and Local Nominations

Political Context and Politicians’ Decisions to Run

Development of the Direct Primary System

Primaries as a Response to One-Party Domination

Primaries as an Item on the Progressive Agenda

Varieties of Primaries

Who May Run

Who May Vote

Who Wins

The Politics of Nominations

Uncontested Nominations

Contested Nominations

Conclusion

Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Seven: State and Local Elections

The Conventional Wisdom: Old versus New Politics

The New Politics: Campaigning in a Media Age

Redistricting and Reapportionment

The Role of Political Parties

The Role of Organized Groups

Media Politics

The Candidate’s Personal Organization

The Structure of a Modern Campaign

Old-Style Politics: A More Prominent Role for Parties

Reexamination of the Role of Political Parties

Local Campaigns in the Absence of Party

Do Campaigns Determine Who Wins Elections?

Lack of Competition in American Elections

Incumbent Advantage in US House and State Legislative Races

Competition in US Senate and Gubernatorial Races

Credible Competition in American Elections

Third Parties in State and Local Elections

Conclusion

Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Eight: Presidential Nominations

The Post-1968 Reforms

The McGovern-Fraser Commission

The 1972 Nomination

The Reform Movement: An Assessment

Twenty-First-Century Presidential Nominations

Strategic Considerations in the Contests for Nominations

The Political Calendar

The Rules of the Game

Strategic Use of Campaign Resources

Evaluating Nominating Campaigns

The Conventions

Credentials Challenges

Rules Disputes

Party Platforms

Vice Presidential Nominations

An Evaluation of the Conventions

The Presidential Nominating Process as It Stands

Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Nine: Presidential Elections

From the Convention to the General Election

Organizing for the General Election

Structuring the Campaign Organization

Functions of a Presidential Campaign Organization

Setting a Campaign Strategy

Strategies for the General Election

Geographic Determinations

Coalition Strategies

Issue Strategies

The Strategic Use of Incumbency

Tactics for the General Election

Tactical Considerations of Where to Go

Tactical Considerations of Media Use

Tactical Considerations of Image Establishment

The Tactics of Presidential Debates

Third-Party Candidates in Presidential Elections

The All-Consuming Nature of a Presidential Campaign

Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Ten: The Media and the Electoral Process

The Media in the Contemporary Context

Free or Earned Media: Journalists’ Presentations of Candidates and Campaigns

The Varieties of Free Media

The Role of the Free/Earned Media

The Actual Role That the Media Play

An Assessment of the Role of Free Media

Paid Media: The Candidate Provides the Message

Types of Paid Media

Controversies Caused by the Use of Paid Media

Impact of Paid Media on Election Campaigns

An Uneasy yet Necessary Relationship in Transition

Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Eleven: Party in Government

Theoretical and Historical Context: Is Strong Party Government Possible in the United States?

Measuring Party Strength in Congress

Party Organization in Congress: The Leadership Hierarchy in the House and Senate

House Leadership

Senate Leadership

The President as Leader of Party in Government

Critical Thinking Questions | Key Terms

Chapter Twelve: The Role of Political Parties

The Role of Elections

The Context of Federalism

Voters, Parties, and Elections

The Electronic Revolution: Television and Digital Media

The Parties in the Modern Election

Parties’ Appeal to the Electorate

The Tone of Twenty-First-Century Politics

Concluding Remarks

Critical Thinking Questions

Glossary

References

Credits

Index