Elections and referenda / suffrage Books
Chicago Review Press All This Marvelous Potential: Robert Kennedy's
Book Synopsis"A powerful story, skillfully told." —Booklist A new portrait of Robert Kennedy, a politician who, for all his faults, had the uncommon courage to stand up to a president from his own party and shine a light on America's shortcomings In early 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy ventured deep into the heart of Appalachia to gauge the progress of President Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty. Kennedy viewed his two days in Kentucky as an opportunity to test his antiwar and antipoverty message with hardscrabble white voters. Among the strip mines, one-room schoolhouses, and dilapidated homes, however, Kennedy encountered a strong mistrust and intense resentment of establishment politicians. In All This Marvelous Potential, author Matthew Algeo meticulously retraces RFK's tour of eastern Kentucky, visiting the places he visited and meeting with the people he met. Algeo explains how and why the region has changed since 1968, and why it matters for the rest of the country. The similarities between then and now are astonishing: divisive politics, racial strife, economic uncertainty, and environmental alarm. Trade Review"A powerful story, skillfully told." -- BooklistTable of ContentsRobert F. Kennedy’s ItineraryIntroductionPart I: Before the Trip Night Dysgenics Replace Their Despair Tom Fletcher An Article in Life Poverty Obsessed A Pioneer in Opposition ResearchPart II: Tuesday, February 13, 1968 1:00 pm—Vortex Swango Fugate Black and Proud Reverend Connie Just Pee in This Jug Sedition 2:30 pm—Barwick Three Licks and a Smile 3:30 pm—Hazard 5:00 pm—Yellow Creek, A Guy Who Wears Horns Hell, I’ll Handle This A Prairie in the Mountains 7:00 pm—Pippa Passes, The Globe Woman Reverend Baldridge The Deepening Swamp “Ulysses” Campaign ’68 LurleenPart III: Wednesday, February 14, 1968 8:00 am—Whitesburg A Winter Tan To Cure Poverty 10:00 am—Neon, Waiting for Kennedy Nell Make Yourselves Comfortable A Worm in a Miniskirt The A.V.s The Cloverfork Newsletter The Average Homosexual Paper Bags The War on Welfare Queens Dave Zegeer The Zegeer Files All the Girls 3:00 pm—Prestonsburg From the Kentucky Coal Mines . . . . . . to the California SunPart IV: After the Trip Another Thing I Wish to Comment on Is Your Long Hair I Knew Something Was Wrong Cote’s CemeteryAcknowledgmentsSourcesBibliography Index
£15.15
Haymarket Books Breaking the Impasse: Electoral Politics, Mass
Book SynopsisIn his latest book, veteran socialist writer Kim Moody provides a masterful analysis of the political impasse which has shaped the rise of a new socialist movement in the United States: recurring economic and political crises, sharp inequality, state violence, and climate catastrophe proceed apace as the right ascends across the world, while the US political scene remains defined and dominated by two capitalist political parties. Moody situates the historic electoral campaigns of Democratic Socialists such as Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as well as the growth of organizations like the Democratic Socialists of America, in this context, and incisively assesses the revived movement's focus on electoral strategies. Offering an important account of left attempts to intervene in the American two-party electoral system, Moody provides both a sobering historical corrective and an alternative orientation for the future, arguing that the socialist movement should turn its attention toward a politics of mass action, anti-racism, and independent, working-class organizing.Trade Review“Kim Moody’s latest book promises to be a major contribution to the renewed debates on socialist strategy in the US. Moody expertly demolishes the analytic and historical arguments for strategies to either transform the Democratic Party into a social-democratic party or use its ‘ballot-line’ to prepare for an independent working class party in an undefined future. He demonstrates that it has always been mass, disruptive working class movements, in workplaces and in the streets, that are the source of popular power and radicalism—the key to winning concessions from capital and the state and creating the conditions for working class political independence and power.” —Charles Post, editor, Spectre “Kim Moody breaks new ground in his brilliant, readable, breathtakingly comprehensive analysis that upends conventional thinking about this fraught moment in history. He draws on encyclopedic knowledge of labor, movements for social justice, politics, electoral activity, and debates about the Democratic Party, making an inspiring, persuasive case about how to build a mass social upsurge to break the stranglehold of billionaires over our daily existence.” —Lois Weiner, author of The Future of Our Schools: Teachers Unions and Social Justice “Essential reading for those interested in understanding and joining the mass upsurge of workers and others oppressed by the predatory, global, capitalist system. In addition to his usual detailed, empirically rich, and wide-ranging documentation of labor struggles and the changing structure of capitalist employment, Kim Moody's analysis of the constraining structure of the Democratic Party, and its role as a graveyard for democratic and radical politics, is nuanced, detailed, and breaks new ground.” —Michael Goldfield, author of The Southern Key: Class, Race, and Radicalism in the 1930s and 1940sTable of ContentsIntroduction 1. The Impasse 2. “Upward“ and Rightward 3. The History and Future of the 2020 Elections 4. The New Social Democratic Nostalgia: Class, Race, and “Coalition Politics” 5. The Politics of Winning: How Mass Action Brought Victory 6. Reversing the “Model”: How Will the Millions Get Organized? 7. A Season of Inflammable Materials, Economic Dislocation, and Political Instability
£14.39
University of South Carolina Press First in the South: Why South Carolina's
Book SynopsisEvery four years presidential hopefuls and the national media travel the primary election circuit through Iowa and New Hampshire. Once the dust Settles in these states, the nation's focus turns to South Carolina, the first primary in the delegate-rich South. Historically Iowa and New Hampshire have dominated the news because they are first, not because of their predictive ability or representativeness. In First in the South, H. Gibbs Knotts and Jordan M. Ragusa make the case for shifting the national focus to South Carolina because of its clarifying and often-predictive role in selecting presidential nominees for both the Republican and Democratic Parties. To establish the foundation for their claim, Knotts and Ragusa begin with an introduction to the fundamentals of South Carolina's primary. They then detail how South Carolina achieved its coveted "First in the South" status and examine the increasing importance of this primary since the first contest in 1980. Throughout the book they answer key questions about the Palmetto State's process, using both qualitative information--press reports, primary sources, archival documents, and oral histories--and quantitative data--election results, census data, and exit polls. Through their research Knotts and Ragusa argue that a key factor that makes the South Carolina primary so important is the unique demographic makeup of the state's Democratic and Republican electorates. Knotts and Ragusa also identify major factors that have bolstered candidates' campaigns and propelled them to victory in South Carolina. While the evidence confirms the conventional wisdom about endorsements, race, and being from a southern state, their analysis offers hope to political newcomers and candidates who have not mastered the art of fundraising. Succinct and accessible, First in the South is a glimpse behind the curtain of the often-mysterious presidential primary process.
£19.90
Seven Stories Press,U.S. Cómo Trump se Robó 2020
Book SynopsisEl robo de votos es el asunto clave para la elección del 2020 y Palast es el experto que puede explicar el porqué.Vote theft is the key issue to the 2020 Election and Palast is the expert to explain why.Trump ya se habrá robado el 2020? El robo de votos se consideraba un asunto marginal del cual nadie quería hablar, pero los índices han subido y los hechos han salido a la luz--en gran parte gracias al autor--y ahora se reconoce como uno de los temas decisivos de nuestras elecciones presidenciales. El alcance es abrumador. En la elección de la mitad del mandato del 2018 en Georgia--el campo de pruebas--los funcionarios Republicanos calladamente eliminaron a medio millón de votantes registrados del padrón electoral--incluyendo a Christine Jordan, la prima de 92 años de Martin Luther King. Cómo Trump se robó el 2020 cuenta la historia de los planes racista para robarse la elección del 2020, los operativos políticos detrás del engaño--y los billonarios de ultraderecha que lo financian todo, escrito por el periodista investigativo que cubrió esta historia desde el principio. Has Trump already stolen the 2020 election? Vote theft was once considered to be a marginal issue that no one wanted to talk about, but as the stakes have risen and the facts have become known--in large part thanks to this author--it is now recognized as one of the central issues deciding our presidential elections. The scope is staggering. In the Georgia 2018 midterm election alone--the testing ground--Republican voting officials quietly removed half a million voters from the voter rolls--including Martin Luther King''s ninety-two-year-old cousin Christine Jordan. How Trump Stole 2020 is the story of the racially poisonous schemes to steal the 2020 election, the political operatives behind the trickery---and the hard right billionaires funding it all, written by the investigative reporter who has been covering this story from the outset.
£14.41
Koehler Books Journeys with Jimmy Carter and other Adventures
Book Synopsis
£11.01
Arcade Publishing What You Should Know about Politics . . . But
Book Synopsis
£17.09
The New York Review of Books, Inc Blackballed: The Black Vote and US Democracy:
Book SynopsisAn incisive reflection on black electoral politics, disenfranchisement, and the lasting legacy of the civil rights movement—now with a brand-new essay on the Covid-19 pandemic, reparations, and the 2020 George Floyd protests.Blackballed is Darryl Pinckney’s meditation on a century and a half of participation by blacks in US electoral politics. In this combination of memoir, historical narrative, and contemporary political and social analysis, he investigates the struggle for black voting rights from Reconstruction through the civil rights movement to Barack Obama’s two presidential campaigns. Drawing on the work of scholars, the memoirs of civil rights workers, and the speeches and writings of black leaders like Martin Luther King and Stokely Carmichael, Andrew Young and John Lewis, Pinckney traces the disagreements among blacks about the best strategies for achieving equality in American society as well as the ways in which they gradually came to create the Democratic voting bloc that contributed to the election of the first black president.Interspersed through the narrative are Pinckney’s own memories of growing up during the civil rights era and the reactions of his parents to the changes taking place in American society. He concludes with an examination of ongoing efforts by Republicans to suppress the black vote, with particular attention to the Supreme Court’s recent decision striking down part of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Also included here is Pinckney’s essay “What Black Means Now,” on the history of the black middle class, stereotypes about blacks and crime, and contemporary debates about “post-blackness,” as well as a new essay, “Buck Moon in Harlem,” which reflects on Juneteenth and the ongoing fight for racial justice, and offers a glimpse of New York City amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the protests following the killing of George Floyd.
£12.59
OR Books Power Concedes Nothing: How Grassroots Organizing
Book SynopsisThe November 2020 US election was arguably the most consequential since the 1860 election of Abraham Lincoln—and grassroots leaders and organizers played crucial roles in the contention for the presidency and control of both houses of Congress. Power Concedes Nothing tells the stories behind a victory that won both the White House and the Senate and powered progressive candidates to new levels of influence. It describes the on-the-ground efforts that mobilized a record-breaking turnout by registering new voters and motivating an electorate both old and new. In doing so it charts a viable path to victory for the vital contests upcoming in 2022 and 2024. Contributors include: Cliff Albright, Yong Jung Cho, Larry Cohen, Sendolo Diaminah, Neidi Dominguez, David Duhalde, Alicia Garza, Ryan Greenwood, Arisha Michelle Hatch , Jon Liss, Thenjiwe McHarris, Andrea Cristina Mercado, Maurice Mitchell, Rafael Návar, Deepak Pateriya, Ai-jen Poo, W. Mondale Robinson, Art Reyes III, Nsé Ufot and Mario YedidiaTrade Review"Thanks to the contributors and editors of this immensely valuable collection, the lessons gleaned from an array of successful organizing strategies will not be lost to the historical amnesia that often claims such local but transformative work.” — Angela Y. Davis, Distinguished Professor Emerita, UC Santa Cruz “Fierce contributors offer us battle-tested wisdom for the struggle ahead.” — Bonnie Castillo, Executive Director, National Nurses United “The broad center–left coalition to defeat Trump in 2020 was an artful display of strategic unity and tireless mass mobilization. These writers give invaluable insights into how that victory was won...” — Barbara Ransby, author of Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement “An antidote to the sort of superficial gloss that often passes for political analysis.” — Manuel Pastor, director, USC Equity Research Institute“An important, wise, and accessible book and a positive assessment of the role that electoral work can play in social change movements. It’s also a reminder that we need to… use every possible avenue, including voting, to create the world in which we wish to live” — The Progressive
£14.39
Trope Publishing Co. In the Arena: A History of American Presidential
Book SynopsisIn the Arena profiles 34 American leaders who captured their party’s nomination for the presidency, but never reached the Oval Office. Author Peter Shea tells of the rise, early career, campaign and later achievements of historical giants like Aaron Burr and Henry Clay, up through modern candidates Mitt Romney and Hillary Clinton. A foreword by 1988 candidate Michael Dukakis gives readers more personal insight into what it’s like to run for one of the most powerful positions in the world – and come up short. Photos of monuments and other memorials accompany each subject, along with campaign memorabilia, illustrating the legacy many of these candidates left behind after relinquishing their dreams of serving as President of the United States. In a speech that gave the book its name, President Theodore Roosevelt gave ultimate credit “to the man who is actually in the arena…who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” In the Arena honors, in words and pictures, their courage and sacrifices.Trade Review"Who knew losers could be so interesting? Fans of American history will find hours of engaging reading in this book." — Booklist"If you are a student of history, especially American History, you will love this book." — Kevin Eikenberry on Leadership & Learning
£23.99
NewSouth Publishing Everything you Need to Know About the Referendum to Recognise Indigenous Australians
Book SynopsisThe definitive, clear-cut guide to the vote on recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution.This book explains everything Australians need to know about the proposal to recognise Indigenous peoples in the Constitution. With clarity and authority, it shows the symbolic and legal power of such a change and how we might get there. It explains what the 1967 referendum – in which over 90 per cent of Australians voted to delete discriminatory references to Aboriginal people from theConstitution – achieved, and why the Constitution still permits people to be discriminated against on the basis of their race. Concise and clear, and written by two of the country’s foremost legal experts, it is essential reading on what will be a landmark moment for the nation.
£11.35
UNSW Press Everything You Need to Know about the Voice
Book SynopsisThis is the remarkable war story of six ordinary Australian soldiers: the Chipilly Six. On 9 August 1918, on high ground overlooking the Somme River, an entire British Army Corps is held up by German machine gunners. The battle has raged for 30 hours and more than 2000 Englishmen have fallen, for no gain. Meanwhile, two Australian sergeants, Jack Hayes and Harold Andrews, go absent without leave and cross the Somme ahead of the British lines. Gathering weapons and four of their best mates, Hayes and Andrews return to take on the Germans. The extraordinary feats of the Chipilly Six have been overlooked and the personal stories of these diggers never before celebrated. Yet this story doesn't end when the war does. Historian Lucas Jordan weaves a compelling tale of the lives of these soldiers, chronicling their return home and years after service, through a pandemic, the Great Depression, another world war and the very first Anzac Day dawn service.
£16.16
Anu Press Watershed: The 2022 Australian Federal Election
Book Synopsis
£29.69
University of Calgary Press Orange Chinook: Politics in the New Alberta
Book SynopsisIn 2015, the New Democratic Party won an unprecedented victory in Alberta. Unseating the Progressive Conservatives-who had won every provincial election since 1971-they formed an NDP government for the first time in the history of the province.Orange Chinook is the first scholarly analysis of this election. It examines the legacy of the Progressive Conservative dynasty, the PC and NDP campaigns, polling, and online politics, providing context and setting the stage. It highlights the importance of Alberta's energy sector and how it relates to provincial politics with focus on the oil sands, the carbon tax, and pipelines.Examining the NDP in power, Orange Chinook draws on Indigenous, urban, and rural perspectives to explore the transition process and government finances and politics. It explores the governing style of premier Rachel Notley, paying special attention to her response to the 2016 For McMurray wildfire and to the role of women in politics.Orange Chinook brings together Alberta's top political watchers in this fascinating, multifaceted analysis.Trade Review"A useful baseline for considering the future of Alberta politics." -- Trevor Harrison, AlbertaViewsTable of Contents Preface I. Setting the Scene Introduction: Out of an Orange coloured Sky Richard Sutherland II. The Tory Fall and the NDP Victory Politics, Alberta Style: The Rise and Fall of the Progressive Conservatives, 1971-2015 David Taras Death of a Dynasty: The Tories and the 2015 Election Duane Bratt Ready for Rachel: The Alberta NDP's 2015 Campaign Melanee Thomas Marginally Better: Polling in the 2015 Alberta Election Janet Brown and John B. Santos Alberta Politics Online: Digital Retail Politics and Grassroots Growth, 2006-16 Peter Malachy Ryan III. Oil Sands, Carbon Tax, and Pipelines Betting on Bitumen: Lougheed, Klein, and Notley Gillian Steward The Politics of Alberta's Carbon Tax Kevin Taft Notley: The Accidental Pipeline Advocate Deborah Yedlin IV. The NDP in Power After Forty-Four Years: The Alberta New Democrats and the Transition to Government Keith Brownsey Fiscal Constraints on the Orange Chinook Ron Kneebone and Jennifer Zwicker Beyond the ""Lovey-Dovey Talk"": The Orange Chinook and Indigenous Activism Brad Clark Alberta's Cities under the NDP James Wilt The End of Exceptionalism: Post-rural Politics in Alberta Roger Epp V. Notley's Governing Style A League of Their Own: Alberta's Women Party Leaders Lori Williams Notley and the Beast: An Analysis of the Crisis Communication of Rachel Notley During the 2016 Wildfire Chaseten Remillard and Sheridan McVean VI. Alberta's Future Political System What's Past is Prologue: Ontario 1990 and Alberta 2015 Graham White Out of the Blue: Goodbye Tories, Hello Jason Kenney Anthony M. Sayers and David K Steward Appendices Index
£23.96
University of Calgary Press Blue Storm: The Rise and Fall of Jason Kenney
Book SynopsisIn 2019, the United Conservative Party, under the leadership of Jason Kenney, unseated the New Democratic Party to form the provincial government of Alberta. A restoration of conservative power in a province that had seen the Progressive Conservatives win every election from 1971-2015, UCP quickly began to make political waves.This is the first scholarly analysis of the 2019 election and the first years of the UCP government, with special focus on the path of Jason Kenney's rise to, and fall from, provincial political power. It opens with an examination of the election from a number of vantage points, including the campaign, polling, and online politics. It provides fascinating insight into internal UCP politics with chapters on the divisions within the party, gender and the UCP, and the symbolism of Kenney's famous blue pickup truck. Explorations of oil and gas policy, the Energy War Room, Alberta's budgets, health care, education, the public sector, Alberta's cultural industries, and more provide unprecedented insight into the actions, motivations, and impacts of Kenney's UCP Government in power. Contributions from top political watchers, journalists, and academics provide a wide range of methods and perspectives.Concluding with a survey of the impacts of COVID-19 in Alberta and a comparison between Jason Kenney and Doug Ford, Blue Storm is essential reading for everyone interested in Alberta politics and the tumultuous first years of the UCP government. Providing key insights from perspectives across the political spectrum, this book is a captivating deep-dive into an unprecedented party, its often controversial politics, and its unforgettable leader.
£28.76
Gibson Square Books Ltd Protest Vote: How the Mainstream Parties Lost the
Book SynopsisThrough riveting inside accounts how Britain's maverick politicians exploit the behind-the-scenes struggles in the major parties, Newark takes us through the rise of protest voting in Britain. With entertaining portraits of the main players he exposes the astonishing feuds and raging rows that are happening behind the scenes.Trade Review'An entertaining romp.' Ian Birrell (David Cameron's speech writer), Observer; '[An] excellent and timely history of the decline of the old party system.' Nick Cohen, Spectator; 'Newark's pacey, racy gossip about political murky doings frequently made me chortle and also cleared up a few mysteries... This book is a treat: a political book which is the antidote to politics, You'll love it.' The Northern Echo; 'Charts the success of protest parties in modern times.' Grimsby Telegraph; 'Amusing, behind-the-scenes insight into why voters are fed up with the main political parties.' Ann Mallalieu Countryside Alliance; 'Brilliant and witty.' Andrew RobertsTable of Contents1 Funeral of a Maverick 2 The Ugly Voter 3 Nigel Farage 4 A Golden Touch 5 The Rabble Army 6 Green Trouble 7 When Labour Fell for Europe 8 Oops, We Let in a Million! 9 Marching on the Streets 10 Toxic Tories 11 Chasing Celebrity 12 White Riot 13 Boris-mania 14 Shattering the Mould 15 Bloom Gloom
£10.52
Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd Handbook of Social Choice and Voting
Book SynopsisThis Handbook provides an overview of interdisciplinary research related to social choice and voting that is intended for a broad audience. Expert contributors from various fields present critical summaries of the existing literature, including intuitive explanations of technical terminology and well-known theorems, suggesting new directions for research.Each chapter presents an expository primer on a particular topic or theme within social choice, with the aim of making the material fully accessible to students and scholars in economics, political science, mathematics, philosophy, law and other fields of study. Topics covered include preference aggregation, voting rules, spatial models, methodology and empirical applications.Scholars, graduate students and even advanced undergraduates in a variety of disciplines will find this introductory and relatively non-technical book an indispensable addition to the field. Contributors: J.F. Adams, W.T. Bianco, A. Blais, P.J. Coughlin, K.L. Dougherty, D.S. Felsenthal, T.H. Hammond, C. Hare, J.C. Heckelman, R.G. Holcombe, C. Kam, M.M. Kaminski, M. Machover, B.C. McCannon, I. McLean, N.R. Miller, S. Moser, E.M. Penn, K.T. Poole, R. Ragan, D.G. Saari, I. Sened, R.A. Smyth, N. TidemanTrade Review'Social choice theory is a branch of economics and political science that examines how individual preferences can be aggregated into social choices. Heckelman and Miller have designed and edited a superb overview of the field. . . . readers who see an up-to-date, thorough, and nuanced understanding of the field will find the book invaluable.' --R.E. O'Connor, Choice'This Handbook is a timely addition to the public/social choice literature. The editors have assembled an impressive list of authors who have contributed chapters covering a wide expanse of the literature starting with Iain McLean's chapter, which traces the public choice literature from Aristotle to the present, followed by surveys of recent developments like Keith L. Dougherty's excellent chapter on voting rules, and the equally fine chapter by Christopher Hare and Keith T. Poole on measuring ideology in Congress. Indeed, all contributions are of uniformly high quality. This Handbook is a welcome addition to my bookshelf.' --Dennis Mueller, University of Vienna, Austria'This book gives a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the rapidly expanding field of social choice and voting. Written in a non-technical style by a group of leading experts in the field, it makes a perfect reference book for scholars and students. The authors and editors are to be congratulated for making relatively complex ideas accessible even to readers with no background in the theory of voting. This makes the volume suitable not only for classroom use, but also for independent study.' --Hannu Nurmi, University of Turku, FinlandTable of ContentsContents: 1. Introduction: Issues in Social Choice and Voting Jac C. Heckelman and Nicholas R. Miller PART I PERSPECTIVES ON SOCIAL CHOICE 2. The Strange History of Social Choice Iain McLean 3. Unanimous Consent and Constitutional Economics Randall G. Holcombe 4. Rational Choice and the Calculus of Voting André Blais 5. Computational Social Choice Robi Ragan PART II PAIRWISE SOCIAL CHOICE 6. Majority Rule and Tournament Solutions Scott Moser 7. Supermajority Rules Keith L. Dougherty 8. The Measurement of a Priori Voting Power Dan S. Felsenthal and Moshé Machover 9. Condorcet Jury Theorems Bryan C. McCannon PART III SPATIAL MODELS OF SOCIAL CHOICE 10. The Spatial Model of Social Choice and Voting Nicholas R. Miller 11. A Unified Spatial Model of American Political Institutions Thomas H. Hammond 12. Competing for Votes James F. Adams 13. Probabilistic Voting in Models of Electoral Competition Peter J. Coughlin PART IV SOCIAL CHOICE FROM MULTIPLE ALTERNATIVES 14. Arrow’s Theorem and Its Descendants Elizabeth Maggie Penn 15. Properties and Paradoxes of Common Voting Rules Jac C. Heckelman 16. Voting Mysteries: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words Donald G. Saari 17. Multiple-Winner Voting Rules Nicolaus Tideman PART V EMPIRICAL SOCIAL CHOICE 18. Measuring Ideology in Congress Christopher Hare and Keith T. Poole 19. The Uncovered Set and its Applications William T. Bianco, Christopher Kam, Itai Sened and Regina A. Smyth 19. Empirical Examples of Voting Paradoxes Marek M. Kaminski Index
£165.00
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Cornerstone’s Electoral Legislation 2016
Book SynopsisCornerstone's Electoral Legislation covers the five principal kinds of UK elections: Parliamentary; European; Local Government; Parish; and Referendums. The legislation governing the conduct of elections is necessarily technical and highly prescriptive with electoral officers expected to absolutely adhere to the rules. As legislation is amended every year this title enables electoral officers ready access to up-to-date legislation. This is a new title in the ‘Cornerstone’ series which is published with the highly respected chambers. This title is included in Bloomsbury Professional's Local Government Law online service.Trade ReviewA useful single volume to carry into conferences or court... -- Daniel Greenberg * Statute Law Review *...an impressive and useful publication and one whose greatest asset is its ambitious and comprehensive coverage of election legislation in a small portable hard copy format...I will certainly be taking it with me to our next election count... -- David M G Lawson * Local Government Lawyer *Table of ContentsForeword Legislation Tables and Index
£118.75
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Let's Stay Together: Why Yes to Europe
Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of BREXIT comes a personal and passionate plea for voting 'Remain' on 23rd June. Denis MacShane, former Minister for Europe, is alarmed that the referendum debate so far has been too polite, too restrained. Now is the time for the gloves to come off, he insists. The result is a small book with a hugely important message.
£15.24
Ebury Publishing Alice in Brexitland
Book SynopsisLying on a riverbank on a lazy summer’s afternoon – 23rd June 2016, to be precise – Alice spots a flustered-looking white rabbit called Dave calling for a referendum. Following him down a rabbit-hole, she emerges into a strange new land, where up is down, black is white, experts are fools and fools are experts...She meets such characters as the Corbynpillar, who sits on a toadstool smoking his hookah and being no help to anyone; Humpty Trumpty, perched on a wall he wants the Mexicans to pay for; the Cheshire Twat, who likes to disappear leaving only his grin, a pint, and the smell of scotch eggs remaining; and the terrifying Queen of Heartlessness, who’ll take off your head if you dare question her plan for Brexit. Will Alice ever be able to find anyone who speaks sense?
£8.54
Biteback Publishing Project Fear: How an Unlikely Alliance Kept a
Book SynopsisWhen Scotland voted no to independence, it was hailed as a victory for the unique Better Together alliance, a triumph of cross-party collaboration, a coup for Westminster.But the unionist relief proved to be premature.Despite bitter referendum defeat, the Scottish National Party went on to conjure stunning general election success, almost eviscerating their rivals with an overwhelming surge of public support.In this compelling insider account, Joe Pike goes behind the battle lines to uncover the secrets of the much-maligned No campaign, dubbed 'Project Fear'. Drawing on exclusive interviews with over sixty sources at the heart of the action, he reveals the tears, the tantrums and the tactical failings that saw a double-digit poll lead reduced to a nail-biting finale, with victory eventually coming at a catastrophic cost to the Labour Party.Now, as the future of the union looks as uncertain as ever, this new, updated edition explores the striking parallels between the Scottish and EU referendums, and asks: where now for Scotland in the wake of a political landslide?Trade Review'A great read...' Nicola Sturgeon; 'Shocking, riveting and hilarious. The Scottish Thick of It.' Owen Jones; 'Fascinating.' Fraser Nelson, The Spectator; 'Remarkably revealing and often amusing.' The Guardian; '[An] adrenaline-fuelled, blood and guts account.' Prospect; 'Explosive.' Daily Mail;
£9.49
Biteback Publishing More Sex, Lies and the Ballot Box: Another Fifty
Book SynopsisWith a foreword by Isabel Hardman HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED...how people feel about sleeping with the political enemy? ...whether gambling markets are best at predicting political outcomes? ...who Santa Claus would vote for? Then look no further. More Sex, Lies and the Ballot Box brings us another collection of concise chapters penned by leading political experts and delving into the fascinating field of electoral politics. Following on from the success of its bestselling predecessor, this illuminating book shines a light on how we vote in Britain and around the world. You'll learn about the shifting landscape of party politics and the perceptions and misconceptions that shape our opinions of our politicians and of each other. You'll learn about the factors informing voter habits - from class, race and gender to the internet and the weather. You'll also learn which political party has the most sexually satisfied supporters. Forget mind-numbing numbers and difficult demographics. This sharp and frequently hilarious volume is fizzing with accessible facts and figures that are more than just conversation starters - they're unexpected insights into the human condition.Trade Review"Shrewd, witty, bravura de-bunking. The essential accessory for every political anorak. Each chapter is a cruel and forensic expose of the ill-informed cliches of political reporting. This book must be banned. The country's top political academics do their party pieces: bite-sized brilliant distillations of learning, like conjurers' table magic." - Gary Gibbon, Political Editor, Channel 4 News; "It's like Sgt Pepper but for political geeks." - Stephen Bush, New Statesman Special Correspondent; "A refreshingly accessible book of nuanced, witty insights that will be a welcome salve for those grappling with the current state of British politics." - LSE Review of Books
£13.49
Biteback Publishing The Brexit Club: The Inside Story of the Leave
Book SynopsisFrom Boris Johnson to Nigel Farage, George Galloway to Michael Gove, the campaign to get Britain out of the EU brought together some of the most colourful characters in British politics. This once-in-a-generation opportunity to free the UK from the grip of Brussels saw egos put to one side and rivalries put on hold to push for a Leave vote in the EU referendum ...Or did it?As D-Day drew near, political reporter Owen Bennett went deep into Leave territory to reveal the inside story of the battle for Brexit. Behind a campaign promising hope and glory - but seemingly mired in blood, sweat and tears - Bennett discovered a plethora of Leave groups, all riven with feuds: the Tory 'posh boys' against the 'toxic' hardliners; UKIP's only MP against the rest of the party; Michael Gove's former lieutenant Dominic Cummings against almost everyone else.Charting the crusade from the massing of the UKIP foot soldiers after the general election to the arrival of the Cabinet cavalry after Cameron's Brussels deal and the dramatic final weeks' fighting on battle buses, The Brexit Club reveals the truth behind the campaign that divided friends, families and, ultimately, the country.
£11.69
Biteback Publishing How to Lose a Referendum: The Definitive Story of
Book SynopsisIn this definitive account of the momentous In/Out referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union, Sky News Senior Political Correspondent Jason Farrell teams up with blogger and Economics and Politics teacher Paul Goldsmith to provide the definitive explanation of what led to one of the biggest shocks in political history - Brexit. The product of extensive and refreshingly frank interviews with the key players in both campaigns, coupled with a thorough exploration of the historical decisions that led to Britain's departure, How to Lose a Referendum takes us from the creation of the European Union after the Second World War to David Cameron's renegotiation in 2016 and its astonishing aftermath. It looks at what went wrong with the EU brand, the treaties and the changes and consequences that came with them, and asks why a project designed to promote peace and prosperity was ultimately so hard to defend. Along the way, Farrell and Goldsmith identify eighteen key reasons why the UK chose to leave.In each case whether it be an individual like Nigel Farage, social change such as the rise of a disaffected electorate, or the failure of the remainers' message to hit home - the authors dig deep to get to the root of the issue.Trade Review"If you want an easy explanation for why we voted for Brexit, then look elsewhere. Yes, this book is pacy and punchy. But it's also a subtle and sophisticated take on how history, chance and a cast of key players all combined to create the perfect storm that hit the UK on 23 June 2016." - Professor Tim Bale, Queen Mary University of London; "This compelling and thoughtful book tells us how and, more importantly, why Brexit happened. The drama is all there and so is the historic context of Britain's troubles with Europe. A must-read." - Adam Boulton; "I can't read enough about this topic, the absolute turning point of modern politics. This book is a very valuable volume. Well researched, well written, challenging and important." - Daniel Finkelstein; “To understand the volatility of Britain’s present political predicament, it is vital to understand the revolution that took us here. Jason Farrell and Paul Goldsmith’s How to Lose a Referendum explains, with a seventy-year historical sweep and detailed cultural context, why Britain will never be the same again, in a first-class and highly readable Brexit book like no other.” - Sam Coates, The Times
£17.00
Biteback Publishing The Bad Boys of Brexit: Tales of Mischief, Mayhem
Book SynopsisFULLY UPDATED Arron Banks enjoyed a life of happy anonymity flogging car insurance in Bristol until he dipped his toes into the sharkinfested waters of politics and decided to plunge right in. Charging into battle for Brexit, he tore up the political rule book, sinking £8 million of his personal fortune into a mad-cap campaign targeting ordinary voters up and down the country. His anti-establishment crusade upset everyone from Victoria Beckham to NASA and left MPs open-mouthed. Lurching from comedy to crisis (often several times a day), he found himself in the glare of the media spotlight, fending off daily bollockings from Nigel Farage and po-faced MPs. From talking Brexit with Trump and trying not to embarrass the Queen, to courting communists and wasting a fortune on a pop concert that descended into farce, this is his honest, uncensored and highly entertaining diary of the campaign that changed the course of history.Trade Review'Every Remainer should steel themselves to read it, because the mindset that it captures - one they don't like or understand - is driving change on both sides of the Atlantic.' - Gaby Hinsliff, The Guardian
£9.49
Biteback Publishing The Politicos Guide to the New House of Commons:
Book SynopsisFollowing Theresa May's shock general election announcement, the UK political landscape looks set to change dramatically. Will predictions of a Tory landslide come to pass, or will the pollsters be surprised again? Whatever the result, the latest edition of the bestselling Politicos Guide to the New House of Commons will have all the info.Public affairs consultant Tim Carr and political experts Iain Dale and Robert Waller are rolling up their sleeves to put together a complete guide to the new personalities occupying the House of Commons benches in 2017.Who are they, what's their background and where will they lead the country?
£22.50
Biteback Publishing How the Right Lost its Mind
Book SynopsisOnce at the centre of the American conservative movement, bestselling author and radio host Charles Sykes is a fierce opponent of Donald Trump and the right-wing media that enabled his rise. Sykes presents an impassioned, regretful and deeply thoughtful account of how the American conservative movement came to lose its values. How did a movement that was defined by its belief in limited government, individual liberty, free markets, traditional values and civility find itself embracing bigotry, political intransigence, demagoguery and outright falsehood? How the Right Lost its Mind addresses key issues that face American conservatives under a Trump presidency. It asks why so many voters are apparently credulous and immune to factual information reported by responsible media. And why did conservatives decide to overlook, even embrace, so many of Trump's outrages, gaffes, conspiracy theories, falsehoods and smears? Can conservatives govern, or are they content merely to rage? And central to Sykes's discourse is the question of how can the right recover its traditional values and persuade a new generation of their worth.
£11.69
Biteback Publishing All Together Now: The Progressive Alliance and
Book SynopsisIn the crucible of the 2017 general election, a small group of progressive activists set about trying to change British political life for the better. Armed with the conviction that the old politics was irretrievably broken, the progressive alliance set itself the task of breaching the walls of Britain's tribal political culture. Over the seven weeks of the campaign, even as the struggle between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn built up to a stunning and utterly unexpected climax, the progressive alliance fought its own battle. Its aim was to bridge divides, start conversations and forge alliances on the ground between progressives - socialists, social democrats, liberals, Greens, Welsh and Scottish nationalists - working together against their common foe instead of competing self-destructively against one another. Based on first-hand testimony, All Together Now tells the dramatic story of how the progressive alliance helped shape the story of the 2017 election - and why its aims, its methods and above all its values will shape the future of 21st century politics.
£11.69
Biteback Publishing Betting the House: The Inside Story of the 2017
Book SynopsisOn 18th April 2017, Theresa May stunned Britain by announcing a snap election. With poll leads of more than 20 points over Jeremy Corbyn's divided Labour Party, the first Tory landslide since Margaret Thatcher's day seemed certain. Seven weeks later, Tory dreams had turned to dust. Instead of the 100-seat victory she'd been hoping for, May had lost her majority, leaving Parliament hung and her premiership hanging by a thread. Labour MPs, meanwhile, could scarcely believe their luck. Far from delivering the wipe-out that most predicted, Corbyn's popular, anti-austerity agenda won the party 30 seats, cementing his position as leader and denying May the right to govern alone. This timely and indispensable book gets to the bottom of why the Tories failed, and how Corbyn's Labour overcame impossible odds to emerge closer to power than at any election since the era of Tony Blair. Who was to blame for the Tories' mistakes? How could so many politicians and pollsters fail to see what was coming? And what was the secret of Corbyn's apparently unstoppable rise? Through new interviews and candid private accounts from key players, political journalists Tim Ross and Tom McTague set out to answer these questions and more, piecing together the inside story of this most dramatic and important of elections.
£13.49
Biteback Publishing The Lost Majority
Book SynopsisThe 2017 general election was supposed to be a walkover for the Conservative Party – but the voters had other ideas. In The Lost Majority, Lord Ashcroft draws on his unique research to explain why the thumping victory the Tories expected never happened. His findings reveal what real voters made of the campaign, why Britain refused Theresa May’s appeal for a clear mandate to negotiate Brexit and where the party now stands after more than a decade of `modernisation’ . And, critically, Ashcroft examines the challenges the Tories face in building a winning coalition when 13 million votes is no longer enough for outright victory. This is an indispensible guide that will provide food for thought to anyone wishing to examine in detail what really happened on 8 June, 2017, and how this will impact on future elections.
£9.50
Biteback Publishing Winning Here: My Campaigning Life: Memoirs Volume
Book SynopsisChris Rennard's long relationship with the Liberals, and later the Liberal Democrats, began when a compassionate Liberal candidate helped his disabled mother receive her widowed mother allowance. By his 20s Rennard was the most successful election campaigner his party has ever known. He helped the Liberal Party win power in Liverpool in the 1970s and campaigned for Shirley Williams and Roy Jenkins in famous by-elections which helped the Liberal SDP Alliance to compete for power before its acrimonious collapse in the late 80's. He was then responsible for a series of spectacular by-election victories that rescued his party's fortunes and he oversaw a huge increase in the party's number of MPs and elected representatives. Liberal leaders Paddy Ashdown, Charles Kennedy, Menzies Campbell and Nick Clegg would all rely on him as the party grew to the peak of its success. This volume of memoirs spans his first 30 years in politics (to 2006) and includes the highs and lows of his party during the leaderships of Paddy Ashdown (including his hopes for coalition with Tony Blair) and Charles Kennedy, (including the latter's enforced resignation after revealing publicly his problem with alcohol). There will never be a better inside account of a political party, or contemporary history of the Liberal Democrats. Winning Here is a record that shows how election campaigns are really fought and won and how party leaders change and parties develop. Similarly, there will never be a commentator better placed to tell this story.Trade Review“A valuable record of the sort of political activism and the specific methods of communications peculiar to an era in western democratic politics.”- Michael Steed, Journal of Liberal History
£21.25
Biteback Publishing Beyond the Red Wall: Why Labour Lost, How the
Book SynopsisHow do you start an electoral earthquake? Head to the Red Wall and you might just find out. Covering some sixty seats stretching from the Midlands up to the north of England and across to Wales, the wall is constructed of the old coal, steel and manufacturing constituencies that were the bedrock of Labour victories for years. Assumed to be a stuck-in-their-ways, loyal-to-a-fault foundation for Labour, the Red Wallers changed all that on 12 December 2019 when they elected Boris Johnson, turning their constituencies blue. Here, renowned pollster and commentator Deborah Mattinson takes the issue by the horns, asking why these proudly working-class voters were tempted by the ‘posh party’ and questioning if they will ever again make their way back to the Labour fold. With brand-new research, including expansive interviews with Red Wall constituents, Mattinson guides us through the lives of the left-behind, finally giving them the opportunity to speak for themselves. Written at one of the most turbulent periods in modern memory, this is a timely, far-reaching analysis of how we got to this point and where we can go next. One thing is certain: the Red Wallers have the power to change history.Trade Review"In this devastating new assessment of the fall of Labour's Red Wall, Deborah Mattinson unpicks our most recent history with deftness, clarity and piercing awareness. Matching engaging description with immense research and, above all, convincing argument, she finally gives voice to the 'long forgotten', definitively reporting how the Red Wall turned blue." - Ayesha Hazarika "Deborah Mattinson has long been a shrewd and sympathetic analyst of voters and their motivations. Rich with real voices, Beyond the Red Wall is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand what drove so many in Labour's heartlands to desert the party in 2019 - and what it might take to win them back." - Heather Stewart "While others theorise about why lifelong Labour voters in the Red Wall seats switched to the Tories in such vast numbers, Deborah Mattinson takes the radical approach of going to ask them. What they said is frank, forthright and fascinating. This calm, compelling account by someone who has seen Labour at its best and worst reveals the real people behind the polls. It will make for difficult reading for both parties, but after years of neglect they expect to be heard - and no party can expect to win without listening." - Matt Chorley "Politics is always personal. The conversations here bring to life the changing mood among the individuals who gradually lost faith in Labour and granted the Tories a thumping majority. The warning to all politicians - voters don't belong to you." - Laura Kuenssberg, political editor, BBC "A meticulously researched, frank and thoughtful guide to the United Kingdom's new swing voters, what drives them and what that means for our politics." - tephen Bush, political editor, New Statesman "Deborah Mattinson brilliantly deconstructs the Red Wall, brick by brick, using her own research and expertise, helping us to understand this overlooked group and what makes it tick. For our leaders, learning the lessons of Beyond the Red Wall will be key to whoever wins the next general election." - Christopher Hope, Daily Telegraph
£15.29
Biteback Publishing Inside Thatcher's Last Election: Diaries of the
Book SynopsisThe year is 1987. Having made history by becoming the UK's first female Prime Minister and then driving out the most left-wing manifesto the country has ever seen, Margaret Thatcher faces a climactic third election campaign. Her eight years in power have been pivotal in guiding the UK back onto the path towards prosperity, and as he surveys the scene, David Young, Secretary of State for Employment, can see the fragile seeds of Thatcher's government beginning to grow. But this third election threatens to destroy it all, plunging the nation back into the chaos of union militancy, the three-day week and the Winter of Discontent, when Britain ground to a halt and even the bodies lay unburied. Drafted in to run the campaign, Young knows one thing for certain: the country cannot afford to go back. Written in lucid, powerful prose, Young's remarkable diary of the election that set the UK on course for the next thirty years invites readers into the room with the key players, including the Prime Minister herself. Full of gut-wrenching claustrophobia, tension and paranoia, Inside Thatcher's Last Election reveals the personality clashes that threatened to derail the campaign from the beginning and presents a very different woman from the Thatcher we think we know. For those in the eye of the storm, there was little doubt about what was at stake: the future of Britain's enterprise.Trade Review'The exciting tale told in this book takes the reader into the eye of the storm.' - Charles Moore "I greatly enjoyed these diaries. It's not just a depiction of an important moment in political history; it's a brilliant description of what it is like working at the centre of a national election campaign. It brought it all back for me. If you haven't been there, this is the next best thing." - Daniel Finkelstein "A gripping fly-on-the-wall account of the Downing Street characters who drove enterprise to the centre of political thinking in Britain." - Sara Murray, founder of confused.com "Never before will you have read such an extraordinary, in-depth, unique insight into the intricate workings of Margaret Thatcher and her government. This day-by-day, moment-to-moment account of her third election victory comes not from a politician but from a leading entrepreneur and businessman who was instrumental in enabling Thatcher to transform Britain, the sick man of Europe, into one of the most pre-eminent enterprise nations in the world. British business owes a huge amount to David Young, and this book clearly demonstrates why. This is not a ringside view; this is being in the ring experiencing it blow by blow!" - Karan Bilimoria, president of the CBI
£17.00
Biteback Publishing 101 Ways to Win An Election: 2021
Book SynopsisIn politics, there are no prizes for second place. Luckily, seasoned campaign professionals Mark Pack and Edward Maxfield have distilled successful electoral tactics from around the globe into 101 bite-sized lessons to help steer you on the course to power. Learn how to pass the three-seconds test, why you should actually embrace online trolls, and why you must never, ever, forget the law of the left nostril. Packed with advice and practical tips, this new, fully updated third edition of the classic political guide reveals the insider secrets and skills you need to make sure you're in pole position on election day.Trade Review"This is a wonderful guide to the practical business of running and winning election campaigns - a series of short essays full of good sense and great sayings to inspire, motivate and make you think. Mark and Ed have produced an entertaining and useful handbook for anyone interested in how democracy works - and now they've produced a new, improved edition that is even better." - John Rentoul, The Independent "This indispensable how-to guide - crammed as it is with inspirational quotes, practical wisdom and plenty of evidence of what works in the real world - won't necessarily guarantee you victory, but it could significantly increase your chances! A must-read (as well as a fun read) for all campaigners." - Tim Bale, professor of politics, Queen Mary University of London "This book is a must-read for any campaigner or politico regardless of experience. It is full of interesting anecdotes as well as the latest research and best practice from around the world. I have used its wisdom at every step of my career. If you're interested in winning elections this is the book for you!" - Layla Moran MP
£7.99
Biteback Publishing Why Vote
Book SynopsisJo Phillips and David Seymour guide the reader through the workings of government and Parliament and make a passionate case for the power of democracy. Their argument is that young people should take back control of the future, hold politicians to account and get involved.
£13.49
Ebury Publishing If Only They Didn't Speak English: Notes From
Book Synopsis'You see, if only they didn’t speak English in America, then we’d treat it as a foreign country – and probably understand it a lot better’‘the sanest man in America’ – Bill Bryson‘Jon Sopel nails it’ – Emily Maitlis**With a brand new chapter, charting Trump's first year in power**As the BBC’s North America Editor, Jon Sopel has had a pretty busy time of it lately. In the time it’s taken for a reality star to go from laughing stock to leader of the free world, Jon has travelled the length and breadth of the United States, experiencing it from a perspective that most of us could only dream of: he has flown aboard Air Force One, interviewed President Obama and has even been described as ‘a beauty’ by none other than Donald Trump.Through music, film, literature, TV and even through the food we eat and the clothes that we wear we all have a highly developed sense of what America is and through our shared, tangled history we claim a special relationship. But America today feels about as alien a country as you could imagine. It is fearful, angry and impatient for change.In this fascinating, insightful portrait of American life and politics, Jon Sopel sets out to answer our questions about a country that once stood for the grandest of dreams, but which is now mired in a storm of political extremism, racial division and increasingly perverse beliefs.Trade ReviewJon Sopel may be the sanest man in America. He is certainly one of the most insightful … Immensely enjoyable * Bill Bryson *Jon Sopel nails it … If Only They Didn’t Speak English is an entertaining and enlightening stock take of how we got here. * Emily Maitlis, Presenter, BBC Newsnight *A wonderfully readable, perceptive account of what America looks like today through the eyes of a seasoned, informed but ultimately sympathetic observer. He addresses head-on such difficult questions as why it is America's most God-fearing opponents of abortion who are also the most passionate supporters of the gun lobby and the death penalty. He reminds us that President Trump's "America First" policy is nothing new – but that America made an invaluable contribution to Western Europe's defence of its liberty in two world wars. And he describes graphically how US Presidential politics became Reality TV in 2016, leaving us, rightly, with a deep sense of unease about the way fake facts and bare-faced lies, often encouraged by enemies of democracy abroad, now pose a real threat to the survival of our values and institutions. Read it alongside the late, great Lynne Olson's Citizens of London and J.D. Vance's Hillbilly Elegy. * Sir Peter Westmacott, Former British Ambassador to the United States *Jon Sopel tries to explain the madness of Trump's America with an elegant sense of stoic bewilderment. Brilliant * Emma Kennedy, Actress, Writer and Broadcaster *
£11.69
Oneworld Publications Democracy Hacked: Political Turmoil and
Book SynopsisIn the space of one election cycle, authoritarian governments, moneyed elites and fringe hackers figured out how to game elections, bypass democratic processes, and turn social networks into battlefields. Facebook, Google and Twitter – where our politics now takes place – have lost control and are struggling to claw it back. Prepare for a new strain of democracy. A world of datafied citizens, real-time surveillance, enforced wellness and pre-crime. Where switching your mobile platform will have more impact on your life than switching your government. Where freedom and privacy are seen as incompatible with social wellbeing and compulsory transparency. As our lives migrate online, we have become increasingly vulnerable to digital platforms founded on selling your attention to the highest bidder. Our laws don’t cover what is happening and our politicians don’t understand it. But if we don’t change the system now, we may not get another chance.Trade Review‘Excellent.’ * New Statesman *‘Democracy Hacked gets beyond the headlines – a compelling, informed and highly readable account of how democracy is being disrupted by the tech revolution, and what can be done to get us back on track. One of the best expositions I’ve read yet of what is the biggest political challenge of our generation.’ -- Jamie Bartlett, author of The People Vs Tech and The Dark Net‘Enormously wide-ranging and deeply researched, this is the definitive account of how digital technology has changed the entire political landscape, with profound consequences for democracy. From Brexit to Trump, and from Estonia to the Philippines, Martin Moore uncovers the real stories behind the fake ones. You’ll discover that the truth is often stranger than fiction and that the future is more open than you think.’ -- David Runciman, author of How Democracy Ends‘The world is belatedly waking up to some frightening realities about the intersection of digital technologies and the health of democracies. Martin Moore’s book is a sharp wake-up call – ambitious in its sweep and urgent in its important message.’ -- Alan Rusbridger, author of Breaking News‘Eye-opening… An important, timely, and clearly written look at a crucial subject.’ * Booklist *‘Moore demonstrates how data has affected elections across the world, in the Philippines, Turkey, India, Iran, Britain and beyond... Engrossing, instructive, and urgently necessary.’ * Kirkus *
£16.14
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Social Media and Politics in Africa: Democracy,
Book SynopsisThe smartphone and social media have transformed Africa, allowing people across the continent to share ideas, organise, and participate in politics like never before. While both activists and governments alike have turned to social media as a new form of political mobilization, some African states have increasingly sought to clamp down on the technology, introducing restrictive laws or shutting down networks altogether. Drawing on over a dozen new empirical case studies – from Kenya to Somalia, South Africa to Tanzania – this collection explores how rapidly growing social media use is reshaping political engagement in Africa. But while social media has often been hailed as a liberating tool, the book demonstrates how it has often served to reinforce existing power dynamics, rather than challenge them. Featuring experts from a range of disciplines from across the continent, this collection is the first comprehensive overview of social media and politics in Africa. By examining the historical, political, and social context in which these media platforms are used, the book reveals the profound effects of cyber-activism, cyber-crime, state policing and surveillance on political participation.Trade ReviewMethodologically innovative, rich in data and analytically profound. This is one of the most important studies of social media in Africa in recent times. * Dr George Ogola, Associate Professor of Journalism, University of Central Lancashire *Brilliant, rich and much-needed! Dwyer and Molony have done a fantastic job of bringing social media to the core of the present, and future, of African politics. * Dr Toussaint Nothias, Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society’ *Moving beyond technological utopianism, this exciting edited collection provides much-needed nuanced analysis of the way in which social media both challenge and reproduce power relations. * Dr Wendy Willems, Associate Professor, Department of Media and Communications, London School of Economics and Political Science *Table of Contents1. Mapping the Study of Politics and Social Media Use in Africa - Maggie Dwyer & Thomas Molony 2. ‘Igu sawir gone too far’? Social media and state reconstruction in Somalia - Peter Chonka 3. ‘We are not just voters, we are citizens’: Social Media, the #ThisFlag Campaign, and Insurgent Citizenship in Zimbabwe - George Karekwaivanane & Admire Mare 4. Social Media and Protest Movements in South Africa: #FeesMustFall and #ZumaMustFall - Tanja Bosch 5. Enemy Collaborators: Social imaginaries, global frictions, and a gay rights music video in Kenya - Brian Ekdale 6. Between Excitement and Scepticism: The Role of WhatsApp in Sierra Leone’s 2018 Elections - Maggie Dwyer, Jamie Hitchen, & Thomas Molony 7. Chaos and Comedy: Social Media, Activism, and Democracy in Senegal - Emily Riley 8. Social Media and Elections in Nigeria: Digital Influence on Election Observation, Campaigns, and Administration - Nkwachukwu Orji 9. From FM radio stations to Internet 2.0 overnight: information, participation and social media in post-failed coup Burundi - Jean-Benoît Falisse & Hugues Nkengurutse 10. Cybercrime and the policing of politics in Tanzania - Charlotte Cross 11. A familiar refrain: Political discourse and Facebook use in Mombasa, Kenya - Stephanie Diepeveen 12. Inside the #OperationUsalamaWatch echo chamber: Twitter as site of disruption or elite conversation? - Alisha Patel 13. From Whispers to the Assemblage: Surveillance in Post-Independence East Africa - Denis Galava Postscript: Research Trajectories in African Digital Spheres - Bruce Mutsvairo & Kate Wright
£23.99
Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd Rethinking US Election Law: Unskewing the System
Book SynopsisRecent U.S. elections have defied nationwide majority preference at the White House, Senate, and House levels. This work of interdisciplinary scholarship explains how ''winner-take-all'' and single-member district elections make this happen, and what can be done to repair the system. Proposed reforms include the National Popular Vote interstate compact (presidential elections); eliminating the Senate filibuster; and proportional representation using Ranked Choice Voting for House, state, and local elections. This timely analysis of election law and politics outlining key structural election reforms combines distinct analysis of presidential, Senate, and U.S. House elections reforms, while also addressing reforms at the state and local government level. The author argues for fundamental structural changes to U.S. elections like Proportional Representation and Ranked Choice Voting, without requiring any constitutional amendments. Analysis of recent political developments such as progress on the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, the adoption of Ranked Choice Voting state-wide in Maine, and the 2018 Supreme Court gerrymandering cases add real-world relevance and applicability. This sharp examination of a flawed system is vital reading for students and scholars involved in election law and political science, and is approachable enough for lay readers interested in politics and reform as well. 'Rethinking US Election Law is a timely, well-written argument in favour of electoral reform in the United States. It advances achievable solutions that could go a long way towards solving the country's current democratic breakdown, and is an excellent read for anyone interested in ''unskewing the system''.' - Erica Frazier, LSE Review 'Steven Mulroy's Rethinking US Election Law is a concise and refreshing book on US election law. The book takes the reader on a tour through the various and profound shortcomings of the country's reliance on single-member districts (SMDs) and demonstrates that, so long as these SMDs remain the principal building block of US elections, little can be done to resolve the many ailments that afflict the process. It is a powerful, thoughtfully-reasoned and clearly-written argument in favor of electoral reform.. . . Mulroy offers a compelling argument for electoral reform that should be required reading for the next redistricting cycle or for any undergraduate class on voting rights and redistricting. Even the most skeptical critic would have difficulty refuting his analysis.' - American Political Science Association 'Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, Rethinking US Election Law is a seminal work of outstanding scholarship that is as thoughtful as it is thought-provoking. . . (it) is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to community, academic, governmental Contemporary Political Science collections and supplemental studies reading lists for students, academia, political activists, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.' - John Taylor, Midwest Book ReviewTrade Review'Mulroy unpacks the electoral systems of the United States, laying bare their shortcomings and proposing some imminently sensible reforms to bring our elections back in line with those basic democratic assumptions. . . Mulroy's depth of analysis, carefully thought-out conclusions and overall presentation deserve significant credit.' --FairVote'Professor Mulroy has written a bold prescription for a constructive path forward on the Electoral College, the Senate, and our winner-take-all consequences. His work is must-reading for those working to improve, perhaps save, our democracy.' --Don Beyer, US Representative, Virginia's 8th Congressional District'From the Electoral College to the Senate to partisan gerrymandering of the House and state legislatures, the U.S. election system skews to favor the interests of some over the interests of a majority of Americans. Steven Mulroy makes the case for unskewing and democratizing American politics, and he offers a path to get it done. A clear argument in favor of radical reform of American politics.' --Richard L. Hasen, University of California, Irvine, US and author of The Justice of Contradictions: Antonin Scalia and the Politics of DisruptionTable of ContentsContents: 1. Introduction 2. The Electoral College 3. The Senate 4. House Gerrymandering 5. Judicial Policing of Gerrymanders 6. Nonpartisan Redistricting Commissions 7. Instant Runoff Voting 8. Proportional Representation and the Single Transferable Vote 9. State and Local Applications 10. Conclusion
£83.00
Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd Comparative Election Law
Book SynopsisThis timely Research Handbook offers a systematic and comprehensive examination of the election laws of democratic nations. Through a study of a range of different regimes of election law, it illuminates the disparate choices that societies have made concerning the benefits they wish their democratic institutions to provide, the means by which such benefits are to be delivered, and the underlying values, commitments, and conceptions of democratic self-rule that inform these choices. Comparative Election Law features a wide scope of coverage, from distribution of the franchise, to candidate qualifications, to campaign speech and finance, to election administration, and more. Contributions from a range of expert scholars in the field are brought together to tackle difficult problems surrounding the definition of the democratic demos, as well as to lay bare important disjunctions between democratic ideals and feasible democratic regimes in practice. Furthermore, a comparative approach is also taken to examine democratic regimes at a theoretical as well as a descriptive level.Featuring key research in a vitally important area, this Research Handbook will be crucial reading for academics and students in a range of fields including comparative law, legal theory, political science, political theory and democracy. It will also be useful to politicians and government officials engaged in election regulation, due to its excellent perspective on the range of regulatory options and how to evaluate them.Trade Review‘This is a fabulous book by one of the leading thinkers of law and democracy. It fills a tremendous hole in the literature by emphasizing the importance of a comparative approach to helping us think anew about both old and new problems in law and democracy.’ -- Guy-Uriel Emmanuel Charles, Harvard Law School, US‘This rich edited volume belongs on the bookshelf of any serious student of election law anywhere in the world. The quality of the contributors and the depth of analysis is unparalleled, bringing together some of the most thoughtful scholars considering essential questions on the nature of democracy, election rules, and popular will. A must read!’ -- Richard L. Hasen, University of California, Irvine, USTable of ContentsContents: INTRODUCTION 1 Introduction: election law—universal or particular? 2 James A. Gardner PART I TWO VIEWS OF ELECTION LAW 2 Concepts and principles of electoral law in Europe 15 Anna Gamper 3 Comparative election law in Canada 32 Hoi L. Kong PART II PROBLEMS OF THE DEMOS 4 Representation in federations 51 Nicholas Aroney and Lauren Causer 5 Indigenous peoples and electoral law 71 Andrew Geddis 6 The fraud of John Locke: subnational challenges to democratic theory 90 Makau W. Mutua 7 Democracy and secessionism: constitutional firewalls and an emerging accommodational paradigm 115 Marc Sanjaume-Calvet PART III INSTITUTIONS AND STRUCTURES 8 Electoral systems and conceptions of politics 140 James A. Gardner 9 Constitutional design of political rights: the emerging model 158 Michael Pal 10 Political parties: private associations or public utilities? 177 Anika Gauja 11 Why representative democracy requires referendums 193 Dennis F. Thompson 12 The role of deliberative peace referendums in the constitutional settlement of conflict 212 Ron Levy and Ian O’Flynn PART IV VOTING 13 Elections, republicanism, and the demands of democracy: a view from the Americas 236 Roberto Gargarella 14 The long and unfinished road to universal suffrage and the development of electoral institutions: a Latin American perspective, 1810–1985 250 Eduardo Posada-Carbó 15 Constructing the demos: voter qualification laws in comparative perspective 272 Yasmin Dawood 16 Disenfranchisement due to crime 290 Chad Flanders PART V CANDIDATES 17 Qualifications to be an elected representative 305 Graeme Orr 18 A constitutional perspective on electoral gender quotas 322 Patricia Popelier 19 Designing and protecting presidential term limits 344 David Landau and Rosalind Dixon PART VI CAMPAIGN SPEECH AND FINANCE 20 Campaign speech and the universal dilemma in the common law of elections: a lesson from the Anglo-American divide 369 Jacob Eisler 21 Campaign finance and electoral speech in the media 388 Jacob Rowbottom 22 Regulating money in politics: from electoral integrity to democratic integrity 410 Joo-Cheong Tham PART VII ADMINISTRATION 23 Comparative election administration: a legal perspective on electoral institutions 436 Daniel P. Tokaji 24 Depoliticizing redistricting 459 Nicholas Stephanopoulos CONCLUSION 25 Conclusion: inequality, corruption, and climate change—rethinking election law in the twenty-first century 478 Timothy K. Kuhner Index
£218.00
Imprint Academic Democracy in Crisis: Lessons from Ancient Athens
Book SynopsisThe storming of the US Capitol building in January 2021 focused attention on the multiple threats facing contemporary liberal democracies. Beyond the immediate problem of Covid-19, the past two decades saw political polarization, a dramatic rise in inequality, global warming and other environmental threats, as well as the growth of dangerous cultural and political divisions. Western liberal democracies find themselves in the midst of what political theorists call a legitimation crisis: major portions of the population lack confidence in the ability of governments to address our most pressing problems. This distrust in government and traditional political parties opened the door to populist leaders and a rising tide of authoritarianism.Liberal democracies face major structural and normative challenges in the near future that require us to look beyond the traditional set of solutions available. Democracy in Crisis points back to the world''s first democratic government, Ancient Athens, to see what made that political arrangement durable and resistant to both internal and external threats. The argument focuses on several distinctive Athenian institutions and practices, and considers how we might reimagine them in the modern world. The book addresses questions of civic ideology and institutions, with extended treatment of two distinctive Athenian institutions, ostracism and sortition.
£25.00
Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd Handbook of Social Choice and Voting
Book SynopsisThis Handbook provides an overview of interdisciplinary research related to social choice and voting that is intended for a broad audience. Expert contributors from various fields present critical summaries of the existing literature, including intuitive explanations of technical terminology and well-known theorems, suggesting new directions for research.Each chapter presents an expository primer on a particular topic or theme within social choice, with the aim of making the material fully accessible to students and scholars in economics, political science, mathematics, philosophy, law and other fields of study. Topics covered include preference aggregation, voting rules, spatial models, methodology and empirical applications.Scholars, graduate students and even advanced undergraduates in a variety of disciplines will find this introductory and relatively non-technical book an indispensable addition to the field. Contributors: J.F. Adams, W.T. Bianco, A. Blais, P.J. Coughlin, K.L. Dougherty, D.S. Felsenthal, T.H. Hammond, C. Hare, J.C. Heckelman, R.G. Holcombe, C. Kam, M.M. Kaminski, M. Machover, B.C. McCannon, I. McLean, N.R. Miller, S. Moser, E.M. Penn, K.T. Poole, R. Ragan, D.G. Saari, I. Sened, R.A. Smyth, N. TidemanTrade Review'Social choice theory is a branch of economics and political science that examines how individual preferences can be aggregated into social choices. Heckelman and Miller have designed and edited a superb overview of the field. . . . readers who see an up-to-date, thorough, and nuanced understanding of the field will find the book invaluable.' --R.E. O'Connor, Choice'This Handbook is a timely addition to the public/social choice literature. The editors have assembled an impressive list of authors who have contributed chapters covering a wide expanse of the literature starting with Iain McLean's chapter, which traces the public choice literature from Aristotle to the present, followed by surveys of recent developments like Keith L. Dougherty's excellent chapter on voting rules, and the equally fine chapter by Christopher Hare and Keith T. Poole on measuring ideology in Congress. Indeed, all contributions are of uniformly high quality. This Handbook is a welcome addition to my bookshelf.' --Dennis Mueller, University of Vienna, Austria'This book gives a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the rapidly expanding field of social choice and voting. Written in a non-technical style by a group of leading experts in the field, it makes a perfect reference book for scholars and students. The authors and editors are to be congratulated for making relatively complex ideas accessible even to readers with no background in the theory of voting. This makes the volume suitable not only for classroom use, but also for independent study.' --Hannu Nurmi, University of Turku, FinlandTable of ContentsContents: 1. Introduction: Issues in Social Choice and Voting Jac C. Heckelman and Nicholas R. Miller PART I PERSPECTIVES ON SOCIAL CHOICE 2. The Strange History of Social Choice Iain McLean 3. Unanimous Consent and Constitutional Economics Randall G. Holcombe 4. Rational Choice and the Calculus of Voting André Blais 5. Computational Social Choice Robi Ragan PART II PAIRWISE SOCIAL CHOICE 6. Majority Rule and Tournament Solutions Scott Moser 7. Supermajority Rules Keith L. Dougherty 8. The Measurement of a Priori Voting Power Dan S. Felsenthal and Moshé Machover 9. Condorcet Jury Theorems Bryan C. McCannon PART III SPATIAL MODELS OF SOCIAL CHOICE 10. The Spatial Model of Social Choice and Voting Nicholas R. Miller 11. A Unified Spatial Model of American Political Institutions Thomas H. Hammond 12. Competing for Votes James F. Adams 13. Probabilistic Voting in Models of Electoral Competition Peter J. Coughlin PART IV SOCIAL CHOICE FROM MULTIPLE ALTERNATIVES 14. Arrow’s Theorem and Its Descendants Elizabeth Maggie Penn 15. Properties and Paradoxes of Common Voting Rules Jac C. Heckelman 16. Voting Mysteries: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words Donald G. Saari 17. Multiple-Winner Voting Rules Nicolaus Tideman PART V EMPIRICAL SOCIAL CHOICE 18. Measuring Ideology in Congress Christopher Hare and Keith T. Poole 19. The Uncovered Set and its Applications William T. Bianco, Christopher Kam, Itai Sened and Regina A. Smyth 19. Empirical Examples of Voting Paradoxes Marek M. Kaminski Index
£46.50
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Democracy for Sale: Dark Money and Dirty Politics
Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestseller. 'A compulsively readable, carefully researched account of how a malignant combination of rightwing ideology, secretive money (much of it from the US) and weaponisation of social media have shaped contemporary British (and to a limited extent, European) politics... Remarkable' Observer, Book of the Week Democracy is in crisis, and unaccountable and untraceable flows of money are helping to destroy it. This is the story of how money, vested interests and digital skulduggery are eroding trust in democracy. Antiquated electoral laws are broken with impunity, secretive lobbying is bending our politics out of shape and Silicon Valley tech giants collude in selling out democracy. Politicians lie gleefully, making wild claims that can be shared instantly with millions on social media. Peter Geoghegan is a diligent, brilliant guide through the shadowy world of dark money and digital disinformation stretching from Westminster to Washington, and far beyond. Praise for Democracy for Sale: 'Thorough, gripping and vitally important' Oliver Bullough 'A brilliant description of the dark underbelly of modern democracy. Everyone should read it' Anne Applebaum 'A compelling and very readable story of the ongoing corruption of our government and therefore ourselves' Anthony Barnett 'As urgent as it is illuminating' Fintan O'Toole 'This urgent, vital book is essential reading for anyone who wants to make sense of our politics' Carole Cadwalladr 'This forensic and highly readable book shows how so many of our democratic processes have moved into the murky, unregulated spaces of globalisation and digital innovation' Peter Pomerantsev 'A call to arms for all those who value democracy' The Herald 'Geoghegan's words are those of someone who is prepared to keep fighting to defend and revitalise what shadows of democracy still remain'ScotsmanTrade ReviewDemocracy for Sale forensically exposes the fault lines in our politics, and reveals how they have been exploited by the rich and the powerful to further their own interests -- Oliver Bullough, author of MoneylandForensic and highly readable -- Peter Pomerantsev, author of This is Not PropagandaAs urgent as it is illuminating' Fintan O -- Toole, author of Heroic FailureA compelling and very readable story of the ongoing corruption of our government and therefore ourselves -- Anthony Barnett, author of Iron BritanniaA brilliant description of the dark underbelly of modern democracy: dark money, influence games and the new tactics of the new far-right. Everyone should read it -- Anne Applebaum, author of GulagPeter Geoghegan's investigations into Brexit have been essential reading. Now this urgent, vital book is essential reading for anyone who wants to make sense of our politics -- Carole CadwalladrInvestigative journalist and Big Issue contributor Peter Geoghegan has followed the money to uncover the story of how undisclosed donations have infiltrated British politics, undermining public faith in democracy and fuelling the rise of populism across the West * Big Issue *Peter Geoghegan's absorbing and disturbing new book is a call to arms for all those who value democracy... [It is] meticulously researched and highly readable' -- HeraldA damning insight into the dark money which underpins huge areas of global politics... A dispiriting read, exposing a rot which seems to have spread throughout politics across the western world and whose stranglehold appears to be growing. This is was makes it so vital... Geoghegan's words are those of someone who is prepared to keep fighting to defend and revitalise what shadows of democracy still remain' * Scotsman *A fine book. It's a compulsively readable, carefully researched account of how a malignant combination of rightwing ideology, secretive money (much of it from the US) and weaponisation of social media have shaped contemporary British (and to a limited extent, European) politics... [A] remarkable book' * Observer. *Its lucid and compelling narrative explores the likes of disinformation, propaganda, and the way in which technology's rapid evolution renders legislative and regulatory frameworks redundant. At the heart of it all, of course, is money, and Geoghegan offers a perceptive analysis of how the US and British systems differ, and how they compare * Scotsman *We are only at the beginning of understanding how the 21st-century confluence of opaque money, extreme politics and digital technology has frayed our democracy. This book is an important part of that process. We are a long way from having viable solutions, but we owe a debt to relentless journalists like Geoghegan for starting the work of rooting out the source of stench before it overwhelms us * irish Times Weekend *A shocking story of how money, vested interests and digital skulduggery are eroding trust in democracy – and a powerful account of what must be done about it * Irish Times Weekend *[Democracy for Sale] should be the most discussed political book of the year. It is by turns balanced, authoritative, revelatory and scandalous. As the web and unsourced money twist elections, the subject could not be more urgent * Observer *A damning insight into the dark money which underpins huge areas of global politics... Enlightening and alarming... Geoghegan's words are those of someone who is prepared to keep fighting to defend and revitalise what shadows of democracy still remain' * Scotsman *A very timely treatise on what technology allied to dark money can achieve. Released last year in print, it is only just available on audio with author Peter Geoghegan doing a fine job of narrating * Irish Examiner *Excellent * National *Solidly investigative and highly readable * New Internationalist *I urge people to read it and reflect * National *This is what you've been waiting for if you want a clear, jargon-free, exhaustively detailed and wonderfully readable book that explains the bizarre nature of British 'democracy' and the farce that is 'The Mother of all Parliaments'. It's no exaggeration to say that Peter Geoghegan's remorseless analysis [...] is among the very finest guides to the Cayman Islands-on-the-Channel that the UK is becoming * Chartist *
£9.49
Lexington Books The 2020 Presidential Election in the South
Book SynopsisThe 2020 Presidential Election in the South details how the 2020 presidential election developed in the twelve states of the South. This edited volume features preeminent scholars of Southern politics who analyze the momentous Election of 2020. In addition to chapters organized by state, this volume also focuses upon the issues that drove southern voters, the nominations process in early 2020, as well as a chapter focusing on where the region may be headed politically in the next decade. In addition, each state chapter includes analysis on notable congressional races and important patterns at the state level. The authors also provide keen insight into the ever-changing political patterns in the region. Since the South continues to evolve in terms of politics and demographic shifts, this book will be an important tool for academics. However, the book will also enlighten journalists and political enthusiasts seeking a deeper understanding of contemporary changes in Southern electoral politics.Trade ReviewThe South is back as a central player in U.S. elections. I greatly enjoyed reading this fantastic book, which shows that race, religion, suburbanization, and region are central to our new and emerging understanding of southern politics. This collection of essays presents one of the best and most accessible deep dives into the region’s role in the 2020 elections. If you want to know how the South shapes the electoral politics of the United States, read this book! -- Christian Grose, University of Southern CaliforniaThe South is a hotbed of political change. Demography is catching up with politics. It is the most exciting of regions, for better, a more competitive and representative politics, or worse, increased restrictions on voting by people of color. With Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia and other states threatening to adapt, short-term or long-term, to the politics of mainstream America. -- William Crotty, Northeastern UniversityTable of ContentsPart I: The Setting and Nominating ProcessChapter 1: The 2020 Southern Electorate: Demographics, Issues, and (In)Distinctiveness by Patrick R. MillerChapter 2: The 2020 Presidential Nomination Process by Aaron A. Hitefield and M.V. Hood IIIPart II: Elections in the Deep SouthChapter 3: Alabama: Politics of Personality in the Heart of Dixie by Shannon L. BridgmonChapter 4: Georgia: Breakthrough to Blue by Charles S. Bullock, IIIChapter 5: Louisiana: Trump Support in This Swamp Runs Deep by Robert E. Hogan and Anna R. ElinkowskiChapter 6: Mississippi: Republican Hegemony Persists by Stephen D. ShafferChapter 7: South Carolina: Redder than Red for Now by Branwell DuBose Kapeluck and Scott E. BuchananPart III: Elections in the Rim SouthChapter 8: Arkansas: Once More with Feeling for Trump by Jay Barth and Janine A. ParryChapter 9: Florida: Kingmaker No More? by Jonathan Knuckey and Aubrey JewettChapter 10: Kentucky 2020: Bluegrass, Red State by Joel Turner, Scott Lasley, and Jeffrey P. KashChapter 11: North Carolina: Even More Deeply Divided in 2020 by J. Michael BitzerChapter 12: Tennessee: Trump Territory, Again by Vaughn MayChapter 13: Texas: Texas: Partisan Changes Finally Afoot by Seth C. McKeeChapter 14: Virginia: Trump Accelerates the Bluing of the Commonwealth by John J. McGlennonChapter 15: Five Southern States That Could Change American Politics by H. Gibbs Knotts
£102.00
Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd A Research Agenda for Political Marketing
Book SynopsisElgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. This Research Agenda documents and establishes the thinking of leading scholars in the field of political marketing and related sub-fields, also encompassing additional social science disciplines that intersect at the crossroads of political marketing. Chapters address the complexity of how politicians and political parties leverage trust, credibility, and expertise across their policy positions, and how citizens formulate their attitudes and opinions. Contributors focus on the new challenges and opportunities for political parties and politicians around the globe when communicating about complex issues, such as science and technology. This Research Agenda will be an essential resource for political marketing researchers and practitioners looking to explore how marketing tactics may be used to shape, guide, and manage public opinion and policy discourse.Trade Review‘Expertly curated by Bruce and Todd Newman, this collection of articles by leading international scholars elegantly encapsulates the principles and practices of political marketing in the early twenty-first century. Particularly noteworthy is the topical focus on digital populism, political branding, and the role of scandal in electoral campaigns.’ -- Richard Tempest, University of Illinois, US‘Understanding contemporary politics is to understand marketing. Bruce and Todd Newman have edited a volume that can instruct modern princes on the virtue needed to gain and hold power. But democracy can prevail only if research in this arcana imperii is used also to educate and empower citizens as voters.’ -- Dejan Vercic, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia‘This fascinating book, with contributions from leading political marketing scholars worldwide, comes at a sadly propitiously time, as democracy is imploding amid the growth of ideologically extreme groups untethered to truth, ferociously marketing their political ideas. Co-editors Bruce Newman and Todd Newman, and their assemblage of assiduous scholars, have produced a book that addresses the multitude of issues facing contemporary political marketing, offering luminous insights on issues spanning digital populism, political disaffection, issues management, branding, ethical chasms, and the bête noire of political campaigning: propaganda. Students and researchers will come away with new perspectives from this stimulating book.’ -- Richard M. Perloff, Cleveland State University, US and author of The Dynamics of Political Communication (3rd. edition)Table of ContentsContents: 1 A triangle of influence: researching political power and social media in the wake of the 2020–21 U.S. succession crisis 1 Michael Cornfield 2 Political marketing from an ideological marketing perspective 21 Wojcieh Cwalina and Andrzej Falkowski 3 Stratified electioneering: the political marketing century 37 Dominic Wring 4 Issues management in science and technology: contestable matters of fact, value and policy, and areas for future research 53 Matt VanDyke and Nicole Lee 5 The management of political campaigns 69 Jody Baumgartner 6 The role of social media in political campaigns: a review and research agenda 85 Christine Williams 7 Political branding: a research agenda for political marketing 107 Christopher Pich 8 The continued relevance of mass media in campaigns: a critical review and research agenda 129 Daniel E. Bergan 9 Challenging political communication and marketing research: the measurement of implicit attitudes in the age of scandals 143 Roberto de Miguel Pascual and Rosa Berganza 10 The dark arts of political marketing: use of propaganda in political campaigns 159 Greg Simons Index
£83.00
Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd Handbook on Politics and Public Opinion
Book SynopsisExamining the nature of public opinion in democratic societies, this Handbook succinctly illustrates the importance of public opinion as an instrument of popular control and democratic accountability. Expert contributors in the field provide a thorough review of a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of this timely topic.The concise but comprehensive chapters investigate the theoretical value of biological, contextual, psychological, sociological and economic perspectives when exploring public opinion. The Handbook also demonstrates useful insights that can be generated from quantitative or qualitative research designs from both an observational and experimental perspective. Furthermore, its informative assessment of the origins and structure of how public opinion is formed allows for a greater understanding of how policies are developed as a result.Providing a state-of-the-art review, this Handbook will be an excellent study resource for scholars of public opinion in political science, sociology and psychology. Political practitioners, particularly government officials, political operatives and pollsters will also find this informative and illuminating.Trade Review‘In the face of widespread polarisation, democracies in retreat, and crises of global proportions, a need has arisen to explore the individual and societal causes, interactions, and implications of these profound developments. This impressively comprehensive Handbook addresses this challenging task by focusing on the central role of public opinion, leaving hardly any question unanswered.’ -- Sonja Zmerli, Sciences Po Grenoble, France‘Two things make this volume entirely irresistible. The first is the line-up of quite prominent, well-versed, and insightful scholars contributing chapters, and the second is the breadth and depth of public opinion topics covered. I started reading this book by ticking off in the table of contents the chapters I wanted to read closely. I was then amazed to find that I had selected nearly all the chapters. This Handbook will prove invaluable for students of public opinion, including undergraduates, graduate students, and the professoriate.’ -- James Gibson, Washington University in St. Louis, USTable of ContentsContents: 1 Public opinion and democracy 1 Thomas J. Rudolph PART I THE MEANING AND MEASUREMENT OF PUBLIC OPINION 2 Diagnosing survey response quality 10 D. Sunshine Hillygus and Tina LaChapelle 3 The quantitative assessment of public opinion 26 Allyson L. Holbrook and Joanne M. Miller 4 The qualitative study of public opinion 41 Katherine J. Cramer 5 Implicit attitudes and mass political opinion 54 Efrén O. Pérez and Bianca V. Vicuña PART II THE ORIGINS OF PUBLIC OPINION 6 Genopolitics 71 Gergő Závecz and Levente Littvay 7 Personality, public opinion, and politics 83 Megan L. Remmel and Jeffery J. Mondak 8 Political socialization 99 Marc Hooghe PART III THE STRUCTURE OF PUBLIC OPINION 9 The conditional nature of ideology in mass publics 112 Nathan P. Kalmoe 10 Core values 128 Paul Goren 11 Ambivalence in mass politics 141 Marco Steenbergen 12 Partisanship and public opinion 168 Ianne S. Wang and Samara Klar 13 Race and public opinion: American dilemma, American divide 178 Davin L. Phoenix and Francisco Jasso 14 Public opinion and gender 193 Mary-Kate Lizotte 15 The religious politics of threat in religion and politics research 208 Paul A. Djupe PART IV ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES ON PUBLIC OPINION 16 Electoral geography, political behavior and public opinion 224 James G. Gimpel and Andrew Reeves 17 Media effects and news exposure: new forms of data to address old questions 241 Susan Banducci, Laszlo Horvath, Ekaterina Kolpinskaya and Daniel Stevens 18 Affective polarization in the American public 257 James N. Druckman and Jeremy Levy PART V THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PUBLIC OPINION 19 Heuristics and cues 272 Cheryl Boudreau 20 Emotions in politics: The relevance of groups 283 Bethany Albertson and Benjamin T. White 21 Motivated reasoning in politics 298 Eric Groenendyk PART VI PUBLIC OPINION AND DEMOCRATIC CITIZENSHIP 22 Political knowledge 313 Jennifer Wolak 23 Political tolerance in an age of liberal democratic backsliding 328 Mark Peffley and Robert Rohrschneider 24 New thrusts and new opportunities in the study of citizen performance in democratic societies 341 James H. Kuklinski and Benjamin Miller PART VII PUBLIC OPINION AND GOVERNMENT 25 The nature of political trust in mass publics 355 Marc J. Hetherington and Thomas J. Rudolph 26 On collective representation 369 Ross Buchanan, Megan Dias, and Christopher Wlezien 27 Courts and public opinion: a critical review 382 Brandon L. Bartels PART VIII PUBLIC OPINION AND PUBLIC POLICY 28 Economic opinion 399 Spencer Goidel and Paul M. Kellstedt 29 Economic self-interest in public opinion about immigration 411 Morris Levy and Matthew Wright 30 Public opinion and foreign policy: beyond the “electoral connection” 428 Peter Gries and Tao Wang Index
£208.00
The History Press Ltd Mrs Pankhurst's Bodyguard: On the Trail of
Book Synopsis‘Beautifully told, this book brings a fascinating and compelling story to a wider public. A “must read” for those interested in women’s lives in the past.’ - June Purvis, Professor (Emerita) of Women’s and Gender History, University of Portsmouth, UK‘This important and absorbing book presents a unique history of Kitty Marshall. This is first-class history and a first-rate thriller.’ - Professor Clive Bloom, author of A History of Britain’s Fight for a RepublicKatherine ‘Kitty’ Marshall was destined to break with convention. Brought up in a socially active family, her inherent rebellious streak came into play in 1901, when she daringly divorced her husband and joined the newly founded Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), campaigning for women’s suffrage.In 1904, she married solicitor Arthur Willoughby Marshall and the couple soon became a powerhouse team in the movement: Arthur defending the suffragettes in court while Kitty, trained in jujitsu and a member of the WSPU’s elite team ‘the Bodyguard’, helped her close friend Mrs Pankhurst evade the clutches of the authorities under the infamous Cat and Mouse Act. All the while, Kitty was under the watchful eye of the Metropolitan Police, and in particular Detective Inspector Ralph Kitchener, who frequently encountered the Marshalls in his work trailing the suffragette ‘mice’.Following events as they unfolded on both sides, Mrs Pankhurst’s Bodyguard is a gripping account of Kitty and Arthur’s incredible work and their fight for political equality.Trade Review'Godfrey tells the story with a keen eye for historical context and an innate understanding of the world that Kitty, her fellow suffragettes and the police who sought them inhabited.' -- All About History * All About History *'...Kitty was an unstoppable force, yet she has been largely forgotten. Acquaint yourself with her story in this gripping read.' -- This England * This England *
£19.54
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Britain Is Better Than This: Why a Great Country
Book SynopsisAn urgent and timely exploration of a British political system in peril – and what we must do to save it. For centuries, British identity has been shaped by ideas of exceptionalism, grandeur and competence. Yet British democracy is failing. Governments supported by a minority of voters are elected with enormous majorities under a deeply unrepresentative first-past-the-post system. The result has been failed leaders delivering wounding blows to the country's economy, prosperity and international image. Britain Is Better Than This explores what lies beneath this sense of malaise, revealing the structural and constitutional failures at the heart of a sclerotic political system. It sheds light on a culture of lies, distrust and corruption. It reveals fundamental flaws in core institutions, including the media, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. It draws on events such as the MP expenses scandal, Brexit, 'Partygate' and the farcical premiership of Liz Truss, as symptoms of a great nation at a turning point yet unsure of which way to turn. And it looks ahead, offering practical solutions to answer the key question of our time: What do we need to do to build a better future? 'The most compelling, lacerating description of the Muppet Show that is British public life I have yet read.' Will Hutton 'There can be no book more urgently needed than this one.' Steve RichardsTrade ReviewThe most compelling, lacerating description of the Muppet show that is British public life I have yet read. Esler on occasion reaches the heights of Tom Paine in his devastating mockery of the British system – from the corners of the House of Lords to the playing fields of Eton. You laugh out loud while violently agreeing – we are better than this. * Will Hutton, author of The State We're In *Gavin Esler rightly asserts that Britain is better than this, shows with vivid insight why it is a country in deep crisis and what can be done about it. There can be no book more urgently needed than this one. * Steve Richards, author of The Prime Ministers We Never Had *As Gavin Elser writes, ‘many of us feel that our demonstrably clever and competent country has lost its way’. I am certainly amongst their number. And I share his view that much of our problem is bound up with our outdated and unwritten constitution and our distorted media landscape. We can be better than this. We can be a stronger democracy and a kinder society. Gavin Esler’s important book points the way to that better future for our country. * Professor Molly Scott Cato, Vice Chair of the European Movement *This powerful and passionate book sets out a searing account of why our political system is broken, and what needs to be done to repair the damage and restore our international reputation. I strongly recommend it! * Lord Peter Ricketts *PRAISE FOR HOW BRITAIN ENDS: 'A wonderful book which will be quoted in years to come' New European. 'An eloquent, forensic examination of resurgent English nationalism as the force that has driven Brexit and may now break up the United Kingdom' Jonathan Coe. 'A fascinating book that draws on poetry, literature and on-the-ground reporting' The Times. 'Packed with broad cultural and literary insight to go with hard-nosed political evaluation' GQ. 'A cool-headed contribution to this often emotional debate' * Sunday Business Post *
£17.09
Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd Rethinking US Election Law: Unskewing the System
Book SynopsisRecent U.S. elections have defied nationwide majority preference at the White House, Senate, and House levels. This work of interdisciplinary scholarship explains how ''winner-take-all'' and single-member district elections make this happen, and what can be done to repair the system. Proposed reforms include the National Popular Vote interstate compact (presidential elections); eliminating the Senate filibuster; and proportional representation using Ranked Choice Voting for House, state, and local elections. This timely analysis of election law and politics outlining key structural election reforms combines distinct analysis of presidential, Senate, and U.S. House elections reforms, while also addressing reforms at the state and local government level. The author argues for fundamental structural changes to U.S. elections like Proportional Representation and Ranked Choice Voting, without requiring any constitutional amendments. Analysis of recent political developments such as progress on the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, the adoption of Ranked Choice Voting state-wide in Maine, and the 2018 Supreme Court gerrymandering cases add real-world relevance and applicability. This sharp examination of a flawed system is vital reading for students and scholars involved in election law and political science, and is approachable enough for lay readers interested in politics and reform as well. 'Rethinking US Election Law is a timely, well-written argument in favour of electoral reform in the United States. It advances achievable solutions that could go a long way towards solving the country's current democratic breakdown, and is an excellent read for anyone interested in ''unskewing the system''.' - Erica Frazier, LSE Review 'Steven Mulroy's Rethinking US Election Law is a concise and refreshing book on US election law. The book takes the reader on a tour through the various and profound shortcomings of the country's reliance on single-member districts (SMDs) and demonstrates that, so long as these SMDs remain the principal building block of US elections, little can be done to resolve the many ailments that afflict the process. It is a powerful, thoughtfully-reasoned and clearly-written argument in favor of electoral reform.. . . Mulroy offers a compelling argument for electoral reform that should be required reading for the next redistricting cycle or for any undergraduate class on voting rights and redistricting. Even the most skeptical critic would have difficulty refuting his analysis.' - American Political Science Association 'Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, Rethinking US Election Law is a seminal work of outstanding scholarship that is as thoughtful as it is thought-provoking. . . (it) is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to community, academic, governmental Contemporary Political Science collections and supplemental studies reading lists for students, academia, political activists, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.' - John Taylor, Midwest Book ReviewTrade Review'Mulroy unpacks the electoral systems of the United States, laying bare their shortcomings and proposing some imminently sensible reforms to bring our elections back in line with those basic democratic assumptions. . . Mulroy's depth of analysis, carefully thought-out conclusions and overall presentation deserve significant credit.' --FairVote'Professor Mulroy has written a bold prescription for a constructive path forward on the Electoral College, the Senate, and our winner-take-all consequences. His work is must-reading for those working to improve, perhaps save, our democracy.' --Don Beyer, US Representative, Virginia's 8th Congressional District'From the Electoral College to the Senate to partisan gerrymandering of the House and state legislatures, the U.S. election system skews to favor the interests of some over the interests of a majority of Americans. Steven Mulroy makes the case for unskewing and democratizing American politics, and he offers a path to get it done. A clear argument in favor of radical reform of American politics.' --Richard L. Hasen, University of California, Irvine, US and author of The Justice of Contradictions: Antonin Scalia and the Politics of DisruptionTable of ContentsContents: 1. Introduction 2. The Electoral College 3. The Senate 4. House Gerrymandering 5. Judicial Policing of Gerrymanders 6. Nonpartisan Redistricting Commissions 7. Instant Runoff Voting 8. Proportional Representation and the Single Transferable Vote 9. State and Local Applications 10. Conclusion
£27.50
