Demographic Gaps in American Political Behavior

Patrick Fisher is associate professor of political science at Seton Hall University. His teaching and research interests include Congress, the presidency, the budget process, public policy, and American political behaviour. He is the author of two books: The Politics of Taxing and Spending and Congressional Budgeting: A Representational Perspective. Dr. Fisher is also the author of numerous journal articles, including those in the Social Science Journal, Society, Publius, Party Politics, American Review of Politics, White House Studies, Politics and Policy and The Review of Policy Research.

• Demographic Gaps in American Political Behavior examines the political behavior of various groups in the United States in an effort to demonstrate how demographic backgrounds and socialization affect political behavior. Media coverage has disproportionately focused on the red state versus blue state divide, leaving the impression that American political behavior is determined solely by place of residence. This, however, ignores the numerous other political divides that exist in the United States today.

"Patrick Fisher's excellent adventure into political demography reveals to student and professional readers what highly-paid consultants have long understood: group differences drive voting behavior. Fisher expands on the standard focus of income, race/ethnicity, and gender with chapters on religion, region and, especially, age. Generational voting differences, Fisher points out, were decisive in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, and this growing gap could shape politics and policy in coming decades." -Frederick R. Lynch, author of One Nation Under AARP "Demographic Gaps in American Political Behavior presents the major cleavages in contemporary American politics, explains why they are there, how they have evolved over time, and why they are important. It is an excellent piece of scholarship that appeals to students at all levels of sophistication." -John E. McNulty, SUNY Cortland and Binghamton University "Demographic Gaps in American Political Behavior provides a fresh approach to studying American politics. Demography is a fundamental feature of the American political universe and this text stands out for focusing specifically on the major characteristics that distinguish American voters, and the effect voters have on public opinion, electoral preferences, and party positioning." -Seth McKee, Texas Tech University