L. Sandy Maisel is the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Government at Colby College. From 2003 to 2012, he was Director of the Goldfarb Center of Public Affairs and Civic Engagement at Colby College. A former candidate for Congress, Maisel is the author or editor of 15 books on political parties and elections, including including Parties and Elections in America: The Electoral Process, Two Parties or More? and The Parties Respond: Changes in American Parties and Campaigns. He is also a frequent commentator on contemporary politics.

• 1 The context of American elections and political parties2 A brief history of American political parties3 Party organizations: What do they look like? What do they do?4 Who are Republicans? Who are Democrats? Who are the "others"?5 Presidential elections: Nominating campaigns and general elections6 Subnational nominations and elections7 Far from the perfect democracyReferencesFurther readingIndex

It concentrates on the electoral system, presidential nominations, elections, criticisms of the system, and proposals for reform. It is a well-written, thorough synopsis of what is known about these topics and includes a useful list of sources for additional reading.

L. Sandy Maisel is the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Government at Colby College. From 2003 to 2012, he was Director of the Goldfarb Center of Public Affairs and Civic Engagement at Colby College. A former candidate for Congress, Maisel is the author or editor of 15 books on political parties and elections, including including Parties and Elections in America: The Electoral Process, Two Parties or More? and The Parties Respond: Changes in American Parties and Campaigns. He is also a frequent commentator on contemporary politics.

• 1 The context of American elections and political parties2 A brief history of American political parties3 Party organizations: What do they look like? What do they do?4 Who are Republicans? Who are Democrats? Who are the "others"?5 Presidential elections: Nominating campaigns and general elections6 Subnational nominations and elections7 Far from the perfect democracyReferencesFurther readingIndex

It concentrates on the electoral system, presidential nominations, elections, criticisms of the system, and proposals for reform. It is a well-written, thorough synopsis of what is known about these topics and includes a useful list of sources for additional reading.

L. Sandy Maisel is the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Government at Colby College. From 2003 to 2012, he was Director of the Goldfarb Center of Public Affairs and Civic Engagement at Colby College. A former candidate for Congress, Maisel is the author or editor of 15 books on political parties and elections, including including Parties and Elections in America: The Electoral Process, Two Parties or More? and The Parties Respond: Changes in American Parties and Campaigns. He is also a frequent commentator on contemporary politics.

• 1 The context of American elections and political parties2 A brief history of American political parties3 Party organizations: What do they look like? What do they do?4 Who are Republicans? Who are Democrats? Who are the "others"?5 Presidential elections: Nominating campaigns and general elections6 Subnational nominations and elections7 Far from the perfect democracyReferencesFurther readingIndex

It concentrates on the electoral system, presidential nominations, elections, criticisms of the system, and proposals for reform. It is a well-written, thorough synopsis of what is known about these topics and includes a useful list of sources for additional reading.