Parties and Elections in America

Mark D. Brewer is professor of political science at the University of Maine. His research interests focus generally on political behavior, with specific research areas including partisanship and electoral behavior at the mass and elite levels, the linkages between public opinion and public policy, and the interactions that exist between religion and politics in the United States. L. Sandy Maisel is Distinguished Professor of American Government at Colby College.

• List of Figures and TablesAbout the AuthorsPreface 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 OrganizationThe 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 OrganizationLocal and County OrganizationsState Party OrganizationsParty Organization at the National LevelCritical Thinking Questions | Key TermsChapter Three: Voting and Other Forms of Political Participation Who Votes; Who Doesn’t Expansion of the FranchiseDecline in Voter ParticipationVoters in Presidential ElectionsModels 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 ProcessOrganized Groups in American PoliticsPolitical and Nonpolitical AssociationsPolitically Active GroupsElectoral Activities of Organized GroupsWorking 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 AmendmentBuckley v. Valeo, 424 U.S. 1 (1976) and Its ImpactThe Seven-Year Battle for McCain-Feingold and Its DemiseThe Costs of Democracy and Who Pays for ItThe CostsSources 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 RunDevelopment of the Direct Primary SystemPrimaries as a Response to One-Party DominationPrimaries as an Item on the Progressive AgendaVarieties of PrimariesWho May RunWho May VoteWho WinsThe Politics of Nominations Uncontested NominationsContested Nominations Conclusion Critical Thinking Questions | Key TermsChapter Seven: State and Local Elections The Conventional Wisdom: Old versus New Politics The New Politics: Campaigning in a Media AgeRedistricting and ReapportionmentThe 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 PartiesReexamination 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 RacesCredible Competition in American Elections Third Parties in State and Local Elections Conclusion Critical Thinking Questions | Key TermsChapter 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 ChallengesRules 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 CampaignsThe Varieties of Free MediaThe Role of the Free/Earned MediaThe Actual Role That the Media Play An Assessment of the Role of Free MediaPaid 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 GovernmentTheoretical 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