Elections and referenda / suffrage Books

Book SynopsisThis text considers the nature of new research questions facing electoral scholars, why conventional pre- and/or post-election studies are ill-equipped to address these questions, and how such studies are adapting to meet the challenges faced by scholars today and in the future.Table of Contents"This is a book that contains some fascinating - and easily understood - technical details." B. Miller, University of Glasgow, Party Politics, Vol 10, No 1, 2004.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat makes you cast your ballot?A Presidential candidate or a good campaign?How he stands on the issues or how he stands up to the camera?The Selling of the President is the enduring story of the 1968 campaign that wrote the script for modern Presidential politicking—and how that script came to be. It introduces: Harry Treleaven, the first adman to suggest that issues bore voters, that image is what counts Roger Ailes, a PR man who coordinated the TV presentations that delivered the product Frank Shakespeare, the man behind the whole campaign, who, after eighteen years at CBS, cast the image that sold America a President And the candidate, Richard Nixon himself—a politician running on television for the highest office in the land In his introduction, Joe McGinniss discusses why—unfortunately—his classic book is as pertinent today to understanding our political culture as it was the year it was published.<

Read more less

Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE 2018 SUNDAY TIMES, GUARDIAN, TELEGRAPH AND ECONOMIST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2017''A provocative take on the UK''s new tribal divisions ... a book whose timing is pitch-perfect'' Andrew MarrMany Remainers reported waking up the day after the Brexit vote feeling as if they were living in a foreign country. In fact, they were merely experiencing the same feeling that many British people have felt every day for years. Fifty years ago, people in leafy North London and people in working-class Northern towns could vote for a Labour party that broadly encompassed all of their interests. Today their priorities are poles apart. In this groundbreaking and timely book, Goodhart shows us how people have come to be divided into two camps: the ''Anywheres'', who have ''achieved'' identities, derived from their careers and education, and ''Somewheres'', who get their identity from a sense of placTrade ReviewGoodhart offers an impeccably sensible and decent exposition of how the political elites have failed their societies ... The book makes compelling reading both for voters and those who want to get elected by them -- Max Hastings * The Sunday Times *[Goodhart] has written a book that is thoughtful, well argued and dangerously moderate. It may even be an incitement to independent thinking * The Times *[A] provocative take on the UK's new tribal divisions ... And it broadly works ... The Road to Somewhere has the feel of a book whose timing ... is pitch-perfect -- Andrew Marr * New Statesman *Goodhart's exploration of this underlying divide -- and the question of what might be done -- is not only timely but also offers an accessible, evidence-based and direct account of how these conflicts are reshaping the political world around us -- Matthew Goodwin * Financial Times *Goodhart has clarity of argument and courage. He has been making these points for a decade and urging the mainstream to engage with them. He does not do fads * Observer *Whatever other objections Goodhart's new book might provoke, few could call it irrelevant or untimely ... he returns to this most vexed terrain, picking his way through nettles and thorns that might deter thinner-skinned writers -- Jonathan Freedland * The Guardian *[Goodhart] has written what may turn out to be the most sympathetic and insightful book about Britain's discontented masses -- Toby Young * The Spectator *Mr Goodhart's book seems likely to inform the debate on what post-Brexit Britain should look like * The Economist *This meticulously researched book ... enables us to imagine Brexit as a moment that could just prove to be the start of a national renewal * Prospect *Challenging and illuminating -- Will HuttonDavid Goodhart offers the best and most complete explanation I've seen for why things seem to be coming apart in so many countries at the same time -- Jonathan Haidt, author of 'The Righteous Mind'

Read more less

Book SynopsisGlenn Simpson (Author) Glenn Simpson is the founder of Fusion GPS. He is a former senior reporter for The Wall Street Journal who has specialized in campaign finance, money laundering, tax evasion, terrorism finance, securities fraud, and political corruption. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his family.Peter Fritsch (Author) Peter Fritsch co-founded Fusion GPS. He is a former reporter and bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal based in Mexico City, São Paulo, South and Southeast Asia, and Brussels. He finished his Wall Street Journal career as national security editor in Washington, D.C. He lives in Maryland with his family.Trade ReviewCrime in Progress is the best procedural yet written about the discovery of Trump's Russia ties. * The New York Times *Crime in Progress is a masterclass in how Washington works. -- Peter Nicholas * The Atlantic *I've read all the books on this subject - this is the one you want to read ... I feel fairly steeped in this matter and I learned something on every page. -- Rachel Maddow, Host of the Rachel Maddow Show, MSNBCCrimes In Progress is the most convincing case you are likely to read that the US president is an asset of the Russian government [and] sheds important light on the least likely president in American history. -- Edward Luce * The Financial Times *You don't need to read John le Carré or Tom Clancy to find espionage thrills in Washington these days, turn over any stone in the Beltway's secret world and you'll observe the seething mass of conspiracy and subterfuge beneath ... Take Glenn Simpson and Peter Fritsch, hard-bitten old newspaper hacks, muck-raking types, who have become central characters in a quite terrifying international spy thriller. -- Josh Glancy * The Sunday Times *An entertaining and readable account, with eye-popping anecdotes, of alleged collusion and the failure of the US media to expose it. * The Guardian *Crime in Progress untangles one of the great mysteries of the Trump era - the full story of the Steele dossier - and provides a fascinating insight into the investigatory mind at work. It's an indispensable guide to the Russia scandals - and a reminder of the redemptive power of facts over lies. -- Jeffrey Toobin

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThis hefty volume takes a multidisciplinary look at the machinations involved in electoral persuasion... Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates. Graduate students and faculty. * J. A. Hardenbrook, Carroll University *Table of Contents1. A Framework for the Study of Electoral Persuasion Elizabeth Suhay, Bernard Grofman, and Alexander H. Trechsel Part I. General Models of Political Persuasion 2. Classic Models of Persuasion Richard R. Lau 3. When, How, and Why Persuasion Fails: A Motivated Reasoning Account Ryan G. Cotter, Milton Lodge, and Robert Vidigal 4. The Boundary Conditions of Motivated Reasoning Ryan G. Cotter, Milton Lodge, and Robert Vidigal 5. Reasoned Persuasion Bernard Grofman 6. Persuasion and Issue Voting Bernard Grofman 7. Party Cues John G. Bullock 8. How the News Media Persuades: Framing Effects and Beyond Thomas J. Leeper and Rune Slothuus 9. The Emotional Aspects of Political Persuasion Bethany Albertson, Lindsay Dun, and Shana Kushner Gadarian 10. Do Election Campaigns Matter? A Comparative Perspective and Overview J. Alexander Branham and Christopher Wlezien Part II. Persuasion by Parties, Candidates, and Outside Groups 11. The Utility and Content of Traditional Ads Michael Franz 12. The Persuasion Effects of Political Endorsements Cheryl Boudreau 13. Mobilization Strategies and Get Out the Vote Melissa R. Michelson 14. Appealing to Diverse Electorates in the United States David M. Searle and Marisa Abrajano 15. Race and Racism in U.S. Campaigns Christopher Sebastian Parker, Christopher C. Towler, Loren Collingwood, and Kassra AR Oskooii 16. Gendered Aspects of Political Persuasion in Campaigns Kelly Dittmar 17. Persuasion and Non-Party Groups in the Digital Age Deana A. Rohlinger 18. Interest Groups and Elections Jeffrey M. Berry 19. How Electoral Spending Relates to Political Persuasion David B. Magleby 20. Low-Resource Candidates and Fundraising Appeals Richard Johnson Part III. Media Influence 21. Campaigns and Elections in a Changing Media Landscape Michael X. Delli Carpini and Bruce A. Williams 22. Sowing Distrust of the News Media as an Electoral Strategy Jonathan M. Ladd and Alexander R. Podkul 23. Beyond Infotainment: Political-Entertainment Media and Electoral Persuasion Geoffrey Baym and R. Lance Holbert 24. Horse-Race and Game-Framed Journalism's Effects on Turnout, Vote Choice, and Attitudes toward Politics Benjamin Toff 25. Misinformation, Fake News, and Dueling Fact Perceptions in Public Opinion and Elections David C. Barker and Morgan Marietta 26. Conspiracy Theories Joseph E. Uscinski 27. Polarization and Media Usage: Disentangling Causality Justin de Benedictis-Kessner, Matthew A. Baum, and Adam J. Berinsky 28. National and Cross-National Perspectives on Political Media Bias Yphtach Lelkes 29. The Incentives and Effects of Independent and Government-Controlled Media in the Developing World Horacio Larreguy and John Marshall Part IV. Interpersonal Influence 30. Persuasion in Interpersonal Networks Anand Edward Sokhey and Carey Stapleton 31. Social Network Effects in Developing Countries Cesi Cruz, Horacio Larreguy, and John Marshall 32. Voter Mobilization in Intimate Networks Florian Foos and Eline A. de Rooij 33. Citizen Deliberation Online Patrícia Rossini and Jennifer Stromer-Galley 34. Networks and Media Influence David A. Siegel 35. Bandwagon Effects, Information Cascades, and the Power in Numbers Susanne Lohmann 36. Lobbying Networks Jennifer Nicoll Victor Part V. Electoral Persuasion across Contexts 37. Electoral Persuasion in the New Democracies: Challenges and Opportunities Rosario Aguilar and Jeffrey Conroy-Krutz 38. A Menu of Clientelist Methods to Buy and Coerce Voters: The Dark Side of Electoral Persuasion Gilles Serra 39. How and Why the Populist Radical Right Persuades Citizens Elisabeth Ivarsflaten, Scott Blinder, and Lise Bjånesøy 40. The Strategic Adaptation of the Populist Radical Right in Western Europe: Shifting the Party Message Elie Michel 41. Party Nominations and Electoral Persuasion J. Andrew Sinclair 42. Persuasion and Ballot Propositions Shaun Bowler and Stephen P. Nicholson 43. Online versus Offline Strategies in Comparative Perspective Tiago Silva 44. Voting Advice Applications: The Power of Self-Persuasion Alexander H. Trechsel and Diego Garzia 45. How Voters Distort Their Perceptions and Why This Matters Andrea De Angelis Part VI. Empirical Methodologies for Understanding Electoral Persuasion 46. Accounting for Complex Survey Designs: Strategies for Post-stratification and Weighting of Internet Surveys Erin Hartman and Ines Levin 47. Debating How to Measure Media Exposure in Surveys Seth K. Goldman and Stephen M. Warren 48. Studying Electoral Persuasion Using Online Experiments Thomas J. Leeper 49. Citizens, Elites, and Social Media: Methodological Challenges and Opportunities in the Study of Persuasion and Mobilization Philip Habel and Yannis Theocharis

Read more less

Book SynopsisSamuel Popkin applies his extensive experience with presidents and presidential campaigns to provide a lively, extensively researched story of the contemporary Republican Party. He shows how reforms intended to take corporate money out of political parties ended up crippling party leadership, rendering them unable to cope with a new political landscape. In their stead, the machinations of billionaires pursuing pet issues and "purity for profit" activists thrived. AsPopkin lays bare, party rebels such as Ted Cruz exploited these forces to block immigration and healthcare reform, opening the door for Trump's election.Trade ReviewWhat the hell happened to the GOP? Is something just as destructive in store for the Democratic Party? The answers Popkin offers-part post-mortem, part prescription - are as shrewd as they are urgent. * Jill Lepore, author of These Truths *Crackup brilliantly confirms why Popkin is one of the most respected political observers of our time. Not only a keen, precise explanation of how Washington unraveled, this is a thrilling examination of overlooked decisions and hidden dramas. I started highlighting the text and gave up because every page is overflowing with insights, analysis, and detail. This book is permanently installed on my desk. * Evan Osnos, Staff Writer, The New Yorker *Popkin performs two distinct and important services in his book. First, in a thoughtful narrative with which I agree completely, he provides a much-needed corrective to the failure to understand the critical omnipresence of well-functioning political parties to the success of democratic government. Second, he provides a logical, well-argued explanation of why the system is malfunctioning with which I differ, and which I welcome. * Barney Frank, former member of the US House of Representatives *Popkin writes with verve and good humor, knows a whole lot about politics, and is gifted at mobilizing a good story to make a point. If you are like me, you will disagree with him in fundamental ways but still appreciate the ride Popkin takes you on - and know you'd enjoy arguing with him late into the night. * E.J. Dionne Jr, author of Code Red *Popkin, one of the nation's foremost scholars of elections, has written an indispensable book explaining the conflicts within the Republican Party that led to the election of Trump. No one is better equipped to describe this history of collapse, and he does so with rigor and grace. * Thomas B. Edsall, Contributing Opinion Writer, The New York Times *Popkin's brilliant book could not be more timely. Crackup masterfully diagnoses the descent of the Republican Party from 'comity to carnage,' while reminding us that no political party is immune to the dynamics of breakdown. * Sarah Binder, Professor, George Washington University *Popkin artfully traces the financial consequences of McCain-Feingold and Citizens United. He has written an important book on an important topic and it should be read by anyone interested in contemporary American politics. * Mathew D. McCubbins, Professor, Duke University *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter One: The Last Republican President Chapter Two: Young Guns and Billionaires Chapter Three: Ted Cruz Crashes the Party Chapter Four: The Great Wall of Mexico Chapter Five: Strongmen Don't Pivot Chapter Six: The Republicans Pivot Chapter Seven: Conclusion--What Can Be Done? Notes Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe definitive and revealing account of the extraordinary parliamentary battle over Brexit and what it means for British democracy.Trade ReviewA terrific overview of the battles within Parliament to try to stop Brexit. * Paul Donnelley, Express.co.uk *This book is of paramount importance. The first proper look at what happened in those dreadful years, by extremely authoritative figures, taking no prisoners in its assessment. Absolutely vital reading. * Ian Dunt, Columnist, i Newspaper & Host, Origin Story podcast *I was engrossed in Brexit for years it feels as though it's finally possible to get some perspective, and Meg [Russell] and Lisa James's book does that brilliantly * Ros Taylor, The Bunker Podcast *I doubt whether anyone will ever improve on Russell & Jamess account. It is highly detailed, lucid, and painstakingly accurate... sure-footed and faultless. * Chris Grey, Brexit and Beyond Blog *An authoritative, comprehensive guide, written with great analytical lucidity and narrative verve. * Rafael Behr, Politics on the Couch *A beautifully researched, thoughtful, and morally alert examination of one of the most difficult and divisive issues in British history. * Rory Stewart, Former Conservative Cabinet Minister and co-host of The Rest is Politics podcast *In their analysis of these nuances, contradictions and complexities, Russell and James have written a book that will undoubtedly stand as the definitive text on the parliamentary battle for Brexit. * Katy Hayward, International Affairs *Brexit was a serious and destabilising political event, but also an extraordinary parliamentary soap opera. This accessible book provides a definitive, compelling account of every improbable plot twist, while identifying important lessons for the future of our democracy. * Dr Hannah White, Director, Institute for Government *Parliament was often the centre of national attention on Brexit. For a while in 2019, the BBC's Parliament channel's ratings even beat those for MTV. To really understand what went on, and what it all means, you can do no better than to read this meticulously researched book. * Anand Menon, Director of UK in a Changing Europe and Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at King's College, London *The 2016 referendum and its aftermath crystallised long-running divisions over our EU membership, within political parties and the wider public. This thoughtful book charts what happened, identifies what could have been handled better, and helps outline how we can overcome the divisions and return to a more consensual democratic discourse. * Gisela Stuart, former Labour MP and chair of the 2016 Vote Leave campaign *Impressive and meticulously researched...[The Parliamentary Battle over Brexit] offers a clear chronological explanation and thematic analysis of those difficult years. * Ben Wellings, Australian Book Review *Thoughtful and carefully researched. * Emily Jones, Times Literary Supplement *Russell and James have written a book that will undoubtedly stand as the definitive text on the parliamentary battle for Brexit. * Katy Hayward, International Affairs 99: 6 *[A] clear-eyed study of the events of 2016. * New Statesman *A comprehensive account of The Parliamentary Battle Over Brexit which is well worth reading. * Sam Freedman, Comment is Freed *This book explores the power of Parliament, how Brexit challenged this power, and the lessons learned....Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty; professionals. * Choice *Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: The parliamentary path to the Brexit referendum 3: The referendum 4: Theresa May and the triggering of Article 50 5: Seeking, but losing, a majority: the 2017 general election 6: Determining the form of Brexit 7: The emerging deal and the meaningful vote 8: Backbenchers 'seize control' 9: Shut down parliament! Boris Johnson and the prorogation crisis 10: The 2019 general election and the Brexit mandate 11: Conclusion: Brexit, parliament and the constitution

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book presents a strong and original argument about English nationalism and the ways in which it is currently transforming British politics.Trade Review... excellent new book... full of insight, and with a clarity not always present in the work of social scientists - leaves the reader in no doubt as to the growing strength of English identify... * The Daily Telegraph *An essential read for anyone interested in nationalism and the future of the union (or in understanding Brexit). * Andrew Sparrow, The Guardian *Scrupulously researched and scholarly book. * Tunku Varadarajan, Wall Street Journal *What makes the crisis of British politics so strange is that at its heart is a force that dare not speak its name: Englishness. It is at once extremely potent and hard to articulate, strongly felt but poorly understood. The work of Ailsa Henderson and Richard Wyn Jones has been crucial to the mapping of this previously murky territory and Englishness is a superb overview of the evidence they have gathered so meticulously and weighed so carefully. The English world view so subtly and intelligently probed here has consequences far beyond its own borders. No one who wants to understand those consequences can do without this terrific book. * Fintan O'Toole, The Irish Times *Lucid and heavily detailed. * David Kernek, Irish Examiner *...the authors of this book take a mature and balanced approach to what is a highly significant yet somewhat neglected issue....a work of fundamental importance... could prise open many closed minds. If the left is going win back millions of people, as it needs to, we clearly need to talk about England. * Brian Denny, Morning Star *The rise of Englishness, and its impact on British constitutional politics, has for too long been an under-explored, semi-secret, phenomenon: a spectre that dare not speak its name. But it has profound implications for the future of the United Kingdom. This book should be read by anyone — and especially every politician — who wishes to understand the forces driving British politics to its current febrile, fractured, state. It is more than an important book, it is a necessary and overdue one. * Alex Massie, The Spectator and The Sunday Times *The best book on Scottish politics that I have read in a long time. This is not as paradoxical as it sounds: it explores the inextricable tangles of Englishness, Britishness and Scottishness. It is impressive both for the sharpness of its analysis and the solidity of its empirical foundations, based on extensive social surveys carried out for the Future of England Survey. * Dennis Smith, Scottish Review *...remarkably coherent, factual and on occasion, severely to the point... Englishness makes for vitally important, if not compulsive reading. * David Marx Book Reviews *The authors provide a convincing and eloquent explanation of this politicisation of Englishness... * Ben Wellings, Australian Book Review *This book provides fresh insight into the character of English nationalism, showing how it presents not only a distinctive vision of England's role within the UK but also of Britain's place within the world. This vision has already played a key role in bringing about Brexit - and it could now prove a decisive influence as Britain debates how to adapt to the post-Brexit, post-COVID world. * Sir John Curtice, Professor of Politics, University of Strathclyde *A fascinating and subtle study, which - precisely because so challenging - should be read with great attention by all those who hope to keep the United Kingdom united. * Tom Holland, historian, biographer, and broadcaster. Author of Rubicon: The Triumph and the Tragedy of the Roman Republic, and Dominion: The Making of the Western Mind *This book gives a compelling account of English nationalism, its motivations, and discontents. For anyone concerned about the future of the United Kingdom, this is essential reading. * Philip Rycroft, Former Head of the UK Governance Group in the Cabinet Office, and Former permanent secretary of the Department for Exiting the European Union *Englishness is not only a pioneering analysis of English nationalism but a vital source for understanding the origins of Brexit and the transformation of British politics in the last few years. It is certainly a book of the first importance. * Sir Tom Devine, Sir William Fraser Professor Emeritus of Scottish History and Palaeography, the University of Edinburgh *The politics of England and the UK have been transformed in the past 20 years. This book makes a powerful case that the politics of Englishness, a force largely overlooked by academics and commentators, has been at the heart of those changes. * John Denham, Professorial Fellow on English Identity and Politics, University of Southampton *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is an open access title available under the terms of a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. It is free to read at Oxford Scholarship Online and offered as a free PDF download from OUP and selected open access locations.Digital technology has moved from the margins to the mainstream of campaign and election organization in contemporary democracies. Previously considered a mere novelty item, technology has become a basic necessity for any candidate or party contemplating a run for political office. While it is difficult to pinpoint exactly when the first digital campaign was officially launched, the general consensus is that the breakthrough moment, at least in terms of public awareness, came during the 1992 U.S. election cycle. At the presidential level, it was Democratic nominee Bill Clinton who laid claim to this virtual terra nova after his staff uploaded a series of basic text files with biographical information for voters to browse. Since that time, use of the internet in elTrade ReviewRachel Gibson impressively accomplishes three tasks. First, she traces the growth of new technologies in election campaigns. Second, she documents a repeating pendulum swing, moving first toward greater openness and equality in campaigning, followed by greater centralizing of power among party elites. Finally, the growth of these new technologies has opened the way for a new elite, the "nerds" of the title, to gather power. All in all, she has a triple achievement. * John Aldrich, Duke University *This book provides a fresh and comprehensive look at the internet in election campaigns. It combines a historical framework with compelling comparative analyses to examine how increasing use of digital technology has affected campaigns across countries. Gibson focuses on adaptation by parties and campaigns as organizations, from the early days of experimentation with the Web through social media to the incorporation of data analytics. The cross-country analysis of what this means for campaigns and power is illuminating and persuasive. * Bruce Bimber, University of California, Santa Barbara *An extraordinary must-read for scholars and the general public alike interested in great political narratives. Gibson gathers incredible insights into modern online campaigning, tracing smoothly its development in the last 30 years. The book advances both the theory of the impact of the internet on political communication and provides a strong, empirically grounded analysis. It is an exciting and captivating volume that is hard to put down and will greatly enrich readers' knowledge of the subject. * Karolina Koc-Michalska, Audencia Business School, France *In this must-read volume, Rachel Gibson analyzes and stages the evolution of two decades of digital technology to demonstrate the promise and eventual performance of online campaigning in democracies. Her work illuminates how 'nerds' have worked their way from the periphery to the center of election campaigns, replacing the hope of more open campaigns with the reality of digital experts and algorithms assuming more power in trying to persuade voters. This is a sweeping work from a leader in the field that informs our understanding of the critical intersection of technology, parties, and voters in new and illuminating ways. * Sarah Oates, University of Maryland, College Park *This seminal book not only is a brilliant overview about modern digital campaigning on the highest scholarly level, it also is a brilliant work on comparative political communication. * Andrea Römmele, Hertie School *Based on a unique, sweeping, and multi-method investigation of thirty years of digital campaigning across four major Western democracies, Rachel Gibson provides both a comprehensive history and a critical assessment of the internet's move from the periphery to the centre of the electoral process. Gibson's analysis answers important questions about the evolving relationship between the internet and key actors and processes in elections and democracy, as well as providing a blueprint for studying these important phenomena in the future. * Cristian Vaccari, Loughborough University *Gibson builds on the data analysis with four strongly researched, in-depth case studies of Australia, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States...The insights are rich and, once again, the structure of the analysis seems easily applied to potential future cases. * Ken Rogerson, Technology and Culture *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: The Four Phase Model of Digital Campaign Development Chapter 2: A Review of the Literature - from Experimentation to Mobilization Chapter 3: Digital Campaigning Across Space: The Role of Technological, Political and Institutional Context Chapter 4: The Slow Burner: Digital Campaigning in the United Kingdom Chapter 5: The Early Bird: Digital Campaigning in Australia Chapter 6: The Late Bloomer: Digital Campaigning in France Chapter 7: The Trendsetter: Digital Campaigning in the U.S. Conclusion

Read more less

Book SynopsisPat Libby's 10-step strategic model walks the reader through the essential elements of conducting a lobbying campaign from start to finish. Undergraduate, graduate students, and anyone interested in making a difference, can use the book to guide them in creating and conducting a grassroots campaign from start to finish.Table of ContentsPreface Introduction 1. Lobbying and Advocacy: What Does It Mean, and Why Should You Do It? Pat Libby 2. The Rules of Engagement Elizabeth Heagy and Pat Libby 3. The Mosh Pit of Government Budgeting: Understanding How it Works at the Federal, State and Local Level Pat Libby 4. Making Law: The Confession of an Erstwhile Legislator Howard Wayne 5. Ten Common Elements of Successful Advocacy Campaigns: Steps 1 to 3 Pat Libby 6. Ten Common Elements of Successful Advocacy Campaigns: Steps 4 to 7 Pat Libby 7. Ten Common Elements of Successful Advocacy Campaigns: Steps 8 and 9 Pat Libby 8. Case Study #2. The K.I.D.S. Coalition: Protecting Innocence in the Digital Age Derek Floyd and Karen Gould 9. Case Study #3. REACH Pat Libby and Maureen Carasiti 10. Case Study #3 Continued: REACH the Final Steps! Maureen Carasiti 11. Case Study #4: The Ten Steps Strike Again! Breaking the Tire Cycle - A Campaign with International Impact Ben McCue 12. Fighting for Justice in Cyberspace: The Role of Technology in Advocacy John McNutt 13. So Now You Have a Law: What Do You Do with It? Monitoring Progress on the Issue Howard Wayne Index About the Editor About the Contributors

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewVoice and Inequality makes an exceptionally compelling case for how robust institutions, and not individuals or ideology, are what is critical to reduce gaps in political participation between the rich and the poor. This is a deeply informative book for scholars of Latin American politics. And it makes a significant and original contribution to research on political behavior, inequality, and democracy. * Elizabeth J. Zechmeister, Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Political Science and Director, LAPOP Lab, Vanderbilt University *Voice and Equality illuminates a fundamental challenge facing many democracies - how the marginalized can sometimes overcome barriers to political participation and gain voice in the democratic process. Through extensive analysis of public opinion surveys from across Latin America, Boulding and Holzner show that despite persistent poverty and inequality the region's poorest citizens often participate as much as their less impoverished neighbors, especially where civic and partisan organizations as well as democratic institutions help the poor overcome the many structural obstacles they face. * Jana Morgan, Professor of Political Science, University of Tennessee *Theoretically compelling, lucidly written manuscript. * Mason Moseley, West Virginia University *Table of ContentsDedication Acknowledgments List of Tables and Figures 1. Democracy, Political Participation, and Latin America's Poorest Citizens 2. What Shapes Political Participation of the Poorest Citizens? 3. Patterns and Puzzles 4. Community Organizations and Mobilization from Below 5. Political Parties and Electoral Competition 6. Inclusion and Exclusion During the Left Turn 7. Quality of Democracy 8. Conclusion Appendices References

Read more less

Book SynopsisFew Americans and even fewer citizens of other nations understand the electoral process in the United States. Still fewer understand the role played by political parties in the electoral process or the ironies within the system. Participation in elections in the United States is much lower than in the vast majority of mature democracies. Perhaps this is because of the lack of competition in a country where only two parties have a true chance of winning, despite the fact that a large number of citizens claim allegiance to neither and think badly of both. Or perhaps it is because in the U.S. campaign contributions disproportionately favor incumbents in most legislative elections, or that largely unregulated groups such as the now notorious 527 organizations have as much impact on the outcome of a campaign as do the parties or the candidates'' campaigns. For instance, in two of the last six presidential elections, the winner of the popular vote lost the election in the Electoral College; in two others, a change of fewer than 100,000 votes in selected states would have led to the same result. These factors offer a very clear picture of the problems that underlie our much trumpeted electoral system.The third edition of this Very Short Introduction analyzes these issues and more. Accounting for changes in electoral coalitions and the extent to which the American electorate is polarized in the wake of Donald Trump, L. Sandy Maisel explains how the system actually works while shining a light on some of its flaws. He also looks closely at turnout questions; efforts both to ease access to the ballot in some states and to restrict access in others; and the role of social media in campaign strategy.Trade ReviewIt concentrates on the electoral system, presidential nominations, elections, criticisms of the system, and proposals for reform. It is a well-written, thorough synopsis of what is known about these topics and includes a useful list of sources for additional reading. * A. D. McNitt, CHOICE *...the section in this book about the Electoral College should be required reading for all citizens." - Ray Smock, Director of the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and EducationTable of Contents1 The context of American elections and political parties 2 A brief history of American political parties 3 Party organizations: What do they look like? What do they do? 4 Who are Republicans? Who are Democrats? Who are the "others"? 5 Presidential elections: Nominating campaigns and general elections 6 Subnational nominations and elections 7 Far from the perfect democracy References Further reading Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewGround War provides a fresh and nuanced examination of gerrymandering right in time for the next round of redistricting battles. With sophisticated empirical analyses, masterful discussion of legal developments, and a novel measure of electoral maps' partisan bias and competitiveness, Goedert presents a compelling take on the ways in which gerrymandering shapes our democracy. Moreover, these analyses thoughtfully build to policy recommendations that could increase the competitiveness and representativeness of our national and state legislatures. In short, this book is a must-read for scholars of elections, election law, and legislative politics. * Brandice Canes-Wrone, Donald E. Stokes Professor of Public and International Affairs and Professor of Politics, Princeton University *The hardest issue in measuring gerrymandering is accounting for changing electoral conditions. Goedert comes closer than anyone else to solving this problem. His new metric—the historically weighted efficiency gap—is the only one to directly incorporate the likelihood of different electoral outcomes. If I could see just one number about a district map, it would be Goedert's score for it. * Nicholas Stephanopoulos, , Kirkland & Ellis Professor of Law, Harvard Law School *Table of Contents1. Introduction: A Tale of Two Gerrymanders 2. The Theory Behind Gerrymandering 3. Legal Developments and Standards in Partisan Gerrymandering 4. Gerrymandering and Competitive Elections 5. Measuring Historical Bias: Historically Weighted Efficiency Gap 6. Bias and Responsiveness in Partisan Maps 7. Bias and Responsiveness in Nonpartisan Maps 8. Conclusion: The Road to Reform References Appendices

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewIn this important book, Adam Harris develops a novel theory of how ethnic attributes shape attachments to identities with implications for political behavior. He rigorously scrutinizes his theory using a range of original experimental and observational approaches, which are ultimately compelling. In turn, Everyday Identity and Electoral Politics simultaneously contributes to scholarly literatures on comparative ethnic politics and to our understanding of racial politics in the important South African case. * Evan Lieberman, Total Professor of Political Science and Contemporary Africa, Massachusetts Institute of Technology *Harris deftly moves us beyond binaries of 'co-ethnic' and 'non-coethnic', developing a nuanced concept of ethnic distance, to understand political behavior in diverse societies. Through a rich, multi-method study around the 2014 South African elections, as well as evidence from the United States and Uganda, Harris's must-read book elevates literatures on ethnic politics to new theoretical and empirical heights. * Gwyneth McClendon, Associate Professor in the Wilf Family Department of Politics, New York University *In an exciting twist to the co-ethnic voting literature, Harris argues for the importance of 'everyday' interactions in shaping political behavior. Individuals who look different from the group norm vote against the group norm and do so because other group members treat them differently. Required reading for anyone interested in the microfoundations of ethnic voting. * Karen Ferree, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of California-San Diego *Adam Harris has produced an impressive study that takes us beyond conventional wisdom in understanding how ethnic and racial identities shape political preferences. Based on insightful theorizing and original empirics, Harris provides a nuanced depiction of identity construction and how it differentially affects people's everyday life experiences. This book offers profound insights for anyone who seeks to understand the complex impact of race or ethnicity on political behavior in diverse societies around the world. * Leonardo R. Arriola, Director of the Center for African Studies, University of California, Berkeley *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn the United States, politics has become increasingly nationalized in recent years as voter decision-making is now driven by partisan or national political forces rather than the attributes of individual candidates. Indeed, voters now seem more concerned with which of the two national parties will be in power across all levels of government as opposed to which candidate will represent them individually. The phenomenon has now reached levels unseen since the nineteenth century, when the party ballot was in use and voters were generally unable to select among individual candidates. Nationalized Politics asks and answers the question, how has nationalization influenced elections across different political eras? Jamie L. Carson, Joel Sievert, and Ryan D. Williamson look at historical variation in nationalization through an analysis of congressional elections from 1840 to 2020. By examining roughly 180 years of elections, the authors leverage considerable differences in electoral competitiTrade ReviewCarson, Sievert, and Williamson develop a sophisticated, over-time approach to understanding the causes and consequences of nationalization in American politics. They show that nationalization is not an end point; rather, it is an equilibrium state that American politics has moved towards and away from at various times over the last two centuries. This is a smart, insightful book with deep consequences for making sense of American political history, contemporary politics, and what might happen next. * William Bianco, Professor of Political Science, Indiana University *Carson, Sievert, and Williamson take a deep dive into data spanning 180 years of electoral history to delineate, explain, and weigh the consequences of variations over time in the nationalization of American elections. Among other valuable insights, they remind us that the current level of nationalization is not unique. This empirically rich and timely volume will enlighten anyone interested in the evolution and current state of US electoral politics. * Gary Jacobson, Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Political Science, University of California, San Diego *Table of ContentsChapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Nationalized Elections: A Review Chapter 3: Evidence of Nationalization Across Time Chapter 4: Nationalization and the Electoral Connection Chapter 5: Nationalization and Incumbency Chapter 6: Nationalization and Polarization Chapter 7: Nationalization and Candidate Evaluations Chapter 8: Contextualizing Nationalization: The 2020 Elections Chapter 9: Conclusion Appendix Notes References Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewIn Nasty Politics, Zeitzoff explores why some politicians resort to insults, accusations, threats, and incitement of violence, even though the majority of the population finds such behavior repulsive. Drawing from data from the US, Israel, and Ukraine, he shows that 'outsiders and losers' use such rhetoric to gain attention and mobilize the segment of the population that supports it * and that words have consequences. It's hard to imagine a timelier book.Erica Chenoweth, Harvard University *In the first comprehensive account of the causes and consequences of 'nasty politics,' Zeitzoff uses extensive survey and experimental evidence from the US, Ukraine, and Israel to show why politicians use insults, threats, and incitement and why these tactics so often succeed despite the public's ostensible distaste for them. Anyone who wants a better politics should heed these lessons. * Brendan Nyhan, Dartmouth College *Theoretically, Nasty Politics is highly original and has important qualitative and quantitative evidence of the existence and growth of the nasty style. It also outlines in creative ways the public's reactions to this style across three democracies and the implications for democracy. It is written in an accessible and interesting way and is a must read for scholars interested in contentious politics and political psychology. * Shana Kushner Gadarian, Syracuse University *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Preface Chapter 1: The Nasty Style of Politics Chapter 2: A Theory of Nasty Politics Chapter 3: From Insults to Incitement in U.S., Ukrainian, and Israeli Politics Chapter 4: How Does the Public Respond to Nasty Rhetoric? Chapter 5: Which Politicians Choose to get Nasty and When? Chapter 6: What do the Experts Think About Nasty Politics? Chapter 7: Nasty Politics and Its Implications for Democracy Chapter 8: Prelude toWar, a Coup and an Insurrection, and Concluding Thoughts Appendix: Ukrainian Politics Overview References Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisPolitical Action Committees (PACs) are a prominent and contentious feature of modern American election campaigns. As organizations that channel money toward political candidates and causes, their influence in recent decades has been widely noted and often decried. Yet, there has been no comprehensive history compiled of their origins, development, and impact over time.In The Rise of Political Action Committees, Emily J. Charnock addresses this gap, telling a story with much deeper roots than contemporary commentators might expect. Documenting the first wave of PAC formation from the early 1940s to the mid-1960s, when major interest groups began creating them, she shows how PACs were envisaged from the outset as much more than a means of winning elections, but as tools for effecting ideological change in the two main parties. In doing so, Charnock not only locates the rise of PACs within the larger story of interest group electioneering--which went from something rare and controversial at the beginning of the 20th Century to ubiquitous today--but also within the narrative of political polarization. Throughout, she offers a full picture of PACs as far more than financial vehicles, showing how they were electoral innovators who pioneered strategies and tactics that came to pervade modern US campaigns and reshape American politics. A broad-ranging political history of an understudied American campaign phenomenon, this book contextualizes the power and purpose of PACs, while revealing their transformative role within the American party system--helping to foster the partisan polarization we see today.Table of ContentsIntroduction: "Going into Politics" 1. "Interests" and Elections 2. "Pressure" as Prologue 3. A Tale of Two Leagues 4. Electoral Afterlives 5. Introducing P.A.C. 6. A Labor-Liberal Constellation 7. When Business is Not "Business-Like" 8. A Tale of Two PACS Conclusion: The House that P.A.C. Built Notes Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisA new assessment on the role, influence, and limitations of the Democratic and Republican National Committees in American political development. Scholars have long debated the role and importance of the Democratic and Republican National Committees in American politics. In National Party Organizations and Party Brands in American Politics, Boris Heersink identifies a core DNC and RNC role that has thus far been missed: creating national party brands. Drawing on extensive historical case studies and quantitative analysis, Heersink argues that the DNC and RNC have consistently prioritized their role of using publicity to inform voters about their parties'' policies and priorities from the beginning of the twentieth century onwards. Both committees invested heavily in political communication tools with the goal of shaping voters'' perceptions of their parties. As Heersink shows, the DNC and RNC often have considerable freedom in determining what type of brands to promote, placing them in Trade ReviewHeersink offers a fresh and important new perspective on American political parties, challenging claims that formal party organizations are merely in service to candidates. Drawing on wide-ranging historical evidence, Heersink demonstrates national party committees have played a pivotal role in shaping their party's 'brand,' defining the party's positions and identity for voters. This impressive account will be of wide interest to students of political parties and representation. * Eric Schickler, University of California, Berkeley *The parties' national committees have long been disregarded as irrelevant. Drawing from new data on committee activities and careful case studies, Boris Heersink convincingly challenges that conventional wisdom, demonstrating that the DNC and RNC have been at the center of their respective party's battles since the early 20th century. In particular, Heersink details the ways in which the party committees seek to shape their party's all-important brands—key to the parties' democracy-enhancing roles as information shortcuts—in collaboration and competition with other party actors. An important read for scholars of American parties and elections. * Christina Wolbrecht, University of Notre Dame *American political parties are studied as organizations and as conveyors of information, but not until Boris Heersink's masterpiece have these two perspectives finally, and properly, met. In his diligent, methodologically rich, and empirically sophisticated study of national party committees, Heersink recasts the organizational development of the twentieth-century Democrats and Republicans. * Daniel Carpenter, Harvard University *Table of ContentsList of Tables List of Figures Acknowledgements Chapter 1: Introduction: National Committees and Party Brands Chapter 2: Examining DNC and RNC Party Branding Quantitatively: Presidential Control and National Committee Branding Decline Chapter 3: Building Permanently Active National Committees, 1912-1932 Chapter 4: National Committees and the New Deal, 1933-1952 Chapter 5: "We Either Have a National Party or We Do Not Have," 1953-1968 Chapter 6: Managing Mixed-Ideological Parties, 1969-1980 Chapter 7: "Reagan's Party" vs. "Recapturing the Center of American Politics," 1981-2000 Chapter 8: "Near Obscurity": The Deterioration of National Committee Branding, 2001-2016 Chapter 9: Conclusion: The Past and Future of National Committees References Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisIncreasingly, political parties have adopted not only different policies, but different sets of facts. As E.J. Fagan argues, partisan think tanks have helped create these alternate realities in their capacity as de facto formal party organizations. Through the analyses generated by aligned think tanks, political elites on both the left and right frequently offer radically different assessments of a policy''s consequences, such as the effect of tax cuts on deficits or the impact of environmental regulations on economic growth. In The Thinkers, Fagan tells the story of how partisan think tanks--such as the Heritage Foundation and Center for American Progress--displaced non-partisan experts to become the closest policy advisors to the Republican and Democratic Parties. He explores their history, how they influence policymakers, and how their influence impacts the polarization of American politics. More broadly, Fagan shows that the rise of partisan think tanks tracks closely with the increase in political polarization since the 1970s. Because they are funded and staffed by strong ideologues, partisan think tanks seek to move their party''s preferences to the left or right of center. When they are successful, parties take more extreme positions than if they had only drawn information from non-partisan sources, which increases polarization. A powerful account of the impact of partisan think tanks on American democracy, The Thinkers will reshape our understanding of the fundamental drivers of the US''s polarized political system.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCovering the beginning of the television era to the present, Battleground provides an unprecedented look at the Electoral College strategies used by US presidential campaigns from 1952 to 2020 and what difference they make on election day.Although US presidential campaigns are among the most closely followed events in the world, academic research tends to conclude that they are much less important for shaping election-day outcomes than broader economic conditions and more gradual socio-political trends. If so, then what campaigners do and say might be entertaining, but should rarely have a decisive influence on who wins the White House. Yet because academic studies typically treat presidential elections as singular events, there is surprisingly little research that considers the strategies that parties pursue in presidential campaigning across multiple election years, how those strategies have evolved over time, or what difference those strategies might make on election day. Drawing on

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn electoral system is the most fundamental element of representative democracy, translating citizen''s votes into representatives'' seats. It is also the most potent practical instrument available to democratic reformers.This systematic and comprehensive study describes and classifies the 70 electoral systems used by 27 democracies - including those of Western Europe, Australia, Canada, the USA, Costa Rica, India, Israel, Japan, and New Zealand - for 384 national legislative and European Parliament elections between 1945 and 1990.Using comparative and statistical analyses of these systems, Arend Lijphart demonstrates the effect of the electoral formula used, the number of representatives elected per district, electoral thresholds, and of five other key features of electoral systems on the proportionality of the election outcome, the degree of multipartism, and the creation of majority parties. In the process he reveals that electoral systems are neither as diverse nor as complex as isTrade ReviewThis is a must read book and while its data inevitably are now dated, its central arguments remain as strong and relevant to this very day. In short, this is a masterful study. * David Farrell, Chair of the American Political Science Association George H. Hallet Award 2010 Committee *an incredible amount of detail has been packed into a relatively slim volume * West European Politics *Table of ContentsAPPENDICES

Read more less

Book SynopsisNatural and Necessary Unions is a history for our time. It shows that the choice between ''union and independence'' that shapes current debates about the future of the United Kingdom in the age of Brexit is a false one. Against the countervailing currents of hegemony and fragmentation that range across centuries - from the economic dominance of southern England and the burdens of social democracy to the rise of separatist nationalisms and European integration - unionists struggled to make a union-state that would protect the independence of its citizens and communities from these wider forces. Natural and Necessary Unions tells the story of how the quest for autonomy shaped the history of three communities: Scotland, Ireland, and Northumbria. It charts the different choices these societies made about their relationships within the British Isles and in wider international society, crystallizing in the choice that must be made again between the British and European unions. From these wilTable of ContentsPreface : Conversations 1: Power and the Pursuit of Liberty: The Geopolitics of Independence 2: A Union for Independence: Scottish Autonomy and the British Idea 3: Claims of Right: Social Democracy and the Bonds of Union 4: Empire against Union: The Worlds of Scottish Nationalism 5: The Battle of the Unions: Europa and Britannia 6: Death by Misadventure: The End of Irish Independence 7: The Bonded Republic: Ireland and the Visions of Europe 8: An English Journey: The Tempting of Northumbria 9: A Well-Constructed Union: The Revival of British Politics Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrump, Wilders, Salvini, Le Pen - during the last decades, radical right-wing leaders and their parties have become important political forces in most western democracies. Their growing appeal raises an increasingly relevant question: who are the voters that support them and why do they do so? Numerous and variegated answers have been given to this question, inside as well as outside academia. Yet, curiously, despite their quantity and diversity, these existing explanations are often based on a similar assumption: that of homogeneous electorates. Consequently, the idea that different subgroups with different profiles and preferences might coexist within the constituencies of radical right-wing parties has thus far remained underdeveloped, both theoretically and empirically. This ground-breaking book is the first one that systematically investigates the heterogeneity of radical right-wing voters. Theoretically, it introduces the concept of electoral equifinality to come to grips with this diversity. Empirically, it relies on innovative statistical analyses and no less than 125 life-history interviews with voters in France and the Netherlands. Based on this unique material, the study identifies different roads to the radical right and compares them within a cross-national perspective. In addition, through an analysis of almost 1400 tweets posted by Geert Wilders and Marine Le Pen, the book shows how the latter are able to appeal to different groups of voters. Taken together, the book thus provides a host of important new insights into the heterogeneous phenomenon of radical right support.Trade ReviewRoads to the Radical Right offers an enhanced understanding of the variation in national constituencies based on rich data in France and the Netherlands. It thus provides a promising comparative research agenda for scholars and students of elections, the radical right, and populism. Damhuis successfully debunks the simplistic idea that voters of RRPPs are homogeneous and makes an impressive theoretical and empirical effort to deconstruct and critique their simplified social representation often conveyed by the media. * Catherina Froio, Sciences Po, Centre d'études européennes et de politique comparée, Perspective on Politics *Table of Contents1: Introduction: Wholes-of-Parts 2: Theoretical Framework 3: The Design of the Study 4: Inside the Political Supply of the Radical Right 5: Radical Right Supporters in the Social Space 6: Hard-Done-Byness 7: Contributionism 8: Radical Conservatism 9: Conclusions and Perspectives

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe 2019 British general election saw a dramatic redrawing of the electoral map, with the Labour Party losing seats to the Conservatives in former heartlands in the North of England and Midlands. Yet this had been a long-term shift, with the opposite trend occurring in major cities and university towns, where Labour''s support has been increasing. What has driven these changes in electoral geography? Why do they matter? This book offers a definitive account of the changing electoral geography of England and Wales over the past half century. Jamie Furlong and Will Jennings argue that long-term trends in social and economic structure have significantly altered the spatial distribution of voters and, combined with changes in the parties'' appeal to those voters, have led to a gradual, though recently accelerating, realignment of the geographical basis of electoral competition. Constituency-level analysis of voting at general elections between 1979 and 2019 reveals a swing from Labour to t

Read more less

Book SynopsisElectoral systems matter. They are a crucial link in the chain connecting the preferences of citizens to the policy choices made by governments. They are chosen by political actors and, once in existence, have political consequences for those actors. They are an important object of study for anyone interested in the political process, and in this book we subject them to systematic analysis. In addition to some comparative chapters, the book contains full accounts of the operation of electoral systems in 22 countries: France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Israel, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, The Netherlands, Ireland, Hungary, Russia, Australia, Canada, India, the USA, Japan, New Zealand, Chile, and South Africa. The book provides detailed analyses of the operation of a diverse set of electoral systems in their national context. Each chapter explains how the electoral system really works in the given country, examining the strategic incentives the system provides to voters, candiTrade ReviewReview from previous edition It is a treasure trove of information about electoral systems and comprehensively examines how votes get translated into seats across the democratic world * Times Higher Education Supplement *This is not just any book on the politics of electoral systems; it is probably the book on the politics of electoral systems ... The authors of these studies are all highly talented scholars, who usually know the comparative literature as well as their countries. In other words, they know what they are talking about, and they have been given reasonably generous space and good editorial guidance with which to do it. The result is truly impressive. * West European Politics *This is a very useful book which, not only for its biblical proportions, could justly claim to be a bible of electoral systems * Irish Political Studies *Overall, this is a superb collection, produced by scholars who know their subject matter and can present it in a very accessible form...this is a book for which much praise is due. * Parliamentary Affairs *This excellent book highlights much of the best in electoral systems research. With top-quality authors, rigorous attention to some key issues and first-rate comparative overviews to introduce and summarize the chapters on individual countries, this book will be one of the first to be read by both experts and newcomers to electoral systems. * Adrian Blau, Party Politics *covers a wide variety of electoral systems from theoretical and empirical perspectives - and it does so excellently. This brand new work is destined to become no less than the bible of electoral systems ... this anthology is already a classic * Canadian Journal of Political Science *In the foreword to the Gallagher and Mitchell collection, Arend Lijphart describes the book as "an outstanding contribution to the electoral systems literature". It is difficult to disagree with this judgement * Political Studies Review *political science and politics of electoral systems are treated in an understandable and at the same time comprehensive manner for a wide range of national electoral systems ... it is a very useful handbook of electoral systems for both specialists and students alike * Acta Politica *It is a valuable and important work of reference for anyone in academia or policy development with a serious interest in comparative electoral systems * Representation *Table of ContentsForeword ; PART 1: INTRODUCTION: ELECTORAL SYSTEMS AND ELECTORAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH ; 1. Introduction to Electoral Systems ; 2. Comparative Electoral Systems Research: The Maturation of a Field and New Challenges Ahead ; 3. Why are There so many (or so few) Electoral Reforms? ; PART 2: SINGLE-MEMBER CONSTITUENCY SYSTEMS ; 4. Australia: The Alternative vote in a Compliant Political Culture ; 5. Canada: Sticking to First-past-the-Post, for the Time Being ; 6. France: Stacking the Deck ; 7. India: Two-Party Contests Within a Multi-Party System ; 8. United Kingdom: Plurality Rule Under Siege ; 9. United States of America: Perpetual Campaigning in the Absence of Competition ; PART 3: MIXED SYSTEMS ; 10. Germany: Stability and Strategy in a Mixed-Member Proportional System ; 11. Hungary: Holding Back the Tiers ; 12. Italy: A Case of Fragmented Bipolarism ; 13. Japan: Haltingly Toward a Two-Party System ; 14. New Zealand: The Consolidation of Reform? ; 15. Russia: The Authoritarian Adaptation of an Electoral System ; PART 4: CLOSED LIST SYSTEMS ; 16. Israel: The Politics of Extreme Proportionality ; 17. South Africa: One Party Dominance Despite Perfect Proportionality ; 18. Spain: Proportional Representation with Majoritarian Outcomes ; PART 5: PREFERENTIAL LIST SYSTEMS AND PR-STV ; 19. Austria: A Complex Electoral System with Subtle Effects ; 20. Belgium: Empowering Voters or Party Elites? ; 21. Chile: The Unexpected (and Expected) Consequences of Electoral Engineering ; 22. Denmark: Simplicity Embedded in Complexity (or Is it the Other Way Round?) ; 23. Finland: One Hundred Years of Quietude ; 24. The Netherlands: The Sanctity of Proportionality ; 25. Ireland: The Discreet Charm of PR-STV ; PART 6: CONCLUSION ; 26. Conclusion ; Appendix A - The Mechanics of Electoral Systems ; Appendix B - Indices of Fragmentation and Disproportionality ; Appendix C: Effective Threshold and Effective District Magnitude ; Appendix D: Values of Indices for 22 Countries at Most Recent Election ; Appendix E: Web Sites Related to Elections, Election Results, and Electoral Systems

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis two-volume work continues the series of election data handbooks published by OUP. It presents a compendium of electoral data for all the 62 states in Asia, Australia and Oceania from their independence to the beginning of the 21st century.Trade Review... editors, contributors and publisher should be congratulated on a magnificent achievement. * Democratization *... indispensable to anyone researching elections and political trends in any of the regions covered in the two volumes. * Democratization *This major reference work offers a systematic and highly reliable presentation ... This authoritative publication will greatly facilitate the comparative study of elections and electoral systems in these regions - as well as studies of individual countries - and it should therefore be acquired by all serious academic libraries serving all sorts of students of elections and electoral systems. The publication of this handbook is a major event and of lasting value for the serious study of elections and election systems. * Political Studies *Table of ContentsMIDDLE EAST ; Bahrain ; Iran ; Iraq ; Israel ; Jordan ; Kuwait ; Lebanon ; Oman ; Palestinian ; Qatar ; Saudia-Arabia ; Syria ; Turkey ; United Arab Emirates ; Yemen ; CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA ; Armenia ; Azerbaijan ; Georgia ; Kazakhstan ; Kyrgyzstan ; Tajikistan ; Turkmenistan ; Uzbeckistan ; SOUTH ASIA ; Afganistan ; Bangladesh ; Bhutan ; India ; Maldives ; Myanmar (Burma) ; Nepal ; Pakistan ; Sri Lanka

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe ''sequel'' to his best-selling Classes and Cultures, Ross McKibbin''s latest book is a powerful reinterpretation of British politics in the first decades of universal suffrage. What did it mean to be a ''democratic society''? To what extent did voters make up their own minds on politics or allow elites to do it for them? Exploring the political culture of these extraordinary years, Parties and People shows that class became one of the principal determinants of political behaviour, although its influence was often surprisingly weak. McKibbin argues that the kind of democracy that emerged in Britain was far from inevitable-as much historical accident as design-and was in many ways highly flawed.Trade ReviewThe distillation of a lifetime's reflection, and as compelling as it is engaging. The historian's art at its most disciplined and distinguished. * Times Higher Education *[A] subtly argued study. * Paul Smith, Times Literary Supplement *A model of careful scholarship * Vernon Bogdanor, New Statesman *The political history so readably, as well as convincingly, analysed by McKibbin has plenty of dramatic surprises and unexpected reversals of fortune. * W. G. Runciman, London Review of Books *This is a book that is certainly well written and offers a beguiling explanation of the events that created England's present, but far from inevitable, system of democracy. It deserves to be widely read. * Keith Laybourn, History *An elegant and engaging addition to the history of English democracy. * Laura Beers, Reviews in History *An excellent guide to current thinking on these issues, and should be very useful for students as well as faculty concerned with the social basis of British politics. Highly recommended. * H.L. Smith, CHOICE *offer[s] a fascinating discussion ... This book can be read and enjoyed by the general reader as we ll as the academic specialist * Iain Sharpe, Journal of Liberal History *an outstanding piece of scholarship: it is a major original contribution to the field ... a path-breaking work that will demand attention of all those working on the period. * Andrew Thorpe, English Historical Review *Ross McKibbin has encouraged a rich and complex approach to British history. We are all in his debt. * Rohan McWilliam, Tribune Magazine *Table of Contents1. Edwardian Equipoise and the First World War ; 2. Unstable Equilibrium, 1918-1929 ; 3. The Crisis of Labour and the Conservative Hegemony, 1929-39 ; 4. The Party System Thrown Off Course ; 5. The English Road to Socialism ; 6. England: Social Change, Historical Accident and Democracy

Read more less

Book SynopsisCampaigns to win the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations are now longer, more complex, and more confusing to the observer than ever before. This book presents a systematic analysis of presidential nomination politics, based on application of rational-choice models to candidate behavior.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPublic policy in the United States is the product of decisions made by more than 500,000 elected officials, the vast majority of them elected on days other than Election Day. The author systemically addresses the effects of election timing on political outcomes, and her findings are eye-opening.Trade Review"Political scientists have long lamented the crazy-quilt pattern of American elections but few have systematically studied its effects. In this sharp and careful study, Sarah F. Anzia convincingly demonstrates how oddly timed elections benefit politically organized groups. Timing and Turnout is a valuable addition to the burgeoning literature on local elections." - Eric Oliver, University of Chicago, author of Local Elections and the Politics of Small Scale Democracy "Timing and Turnout offers an authoritative account of the causes and consequences of election timing. Progressive-era reformers argued - and many good-government types today still believe - that separating the timing of local from national elections improves the quality of American local democracy. In a trenchant analysis, Sarah F. Anzia debunks the conventional wisdom, demonstrating how off-cycle elections reduce voter turnout and amplify the power of organized interest groups. Our democracy suffers as a result." - Stephen P. Erie, University of California, San Diego

Read more less

Book SynopsisThroughout the contest for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, politicians and voters alike worried that the outcome might depend on the preferences of unelected superdelegates. This book shows that for several decades, unelected insiders in both major parties effectively selected candidates long before citizens reached the ballot box.Trade Review"The Party Decides is an important book that will set a new standard for understanding the primary election process. The authors use history, anecdotes, and newspaper stories to great advantage, enriching the impressive collection of data they have compiled to support their argument that the nomination process is dominated by a mix of players, but is mainly based on partisans and policy demanders." - David Brady, Stanford University"

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe United States routinely has one of the lowest voter turnout rates of any developed democracy in the world. This book places contemporary reforms in historical context and explores how state electoral institutions have shaped voting behavior throughout the twentieth century.Trade Review"A careful and comprehensive look at the relationship between specific state-level institutions and voter turnout, How the States Shaped the Nation illuminates the importance of institutional change in shaping political behavior and will be invaluable in ongoing discussions of election reform." (Suzanne Linn, Pennsylvania State University)"

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe United States routinely has one of the lowest voter turnout rates of any developed democracy in the world. But are expansive institutional efforts like mailin registration, longer poll hours, and no-excuse absentee voting uniformly effective in improving voter turnout across states? This book deals with this topic.Trade Review"A careful and comprehensive look at the relationship between specific state-level institutions and voter turnout, How the States Shaped the Nation illuminates the importance of institutional change in shaping political behavior and will be invaluable in ongoing discussions of election reform." (Suzanne Linn, Pennsylvania State University)"

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisResponds to the growing chorus of critics who fear that the politics of running for office undermine judicial independence. The author presents a comprehensive study of the impact of campaigns on public perceptions of fairness, impartiality, and the legitimacy of elected state courts - and his findings are both counterintuitive and controversial.Trade Review"James L. Gibson is an intellectual giant in the field of judicial politics, and Electing Judges may be his most important contribution to date. This is a first-rate piece of scholarship that speaks directly to the central arguments in a highly contentious ongoing debate. For all interested in the judicial selection process, Gibson's evidence is powerful and simply cannot be ignored." (Chris W. Bonneau, University of Pittsburgh)"

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis document of the days between the election and its legal resolution offers an accessible overview of the legal strategies and debates, and assesses the influence of politics and law on the judges who shaped the outcome of this historical controversy.

Read more less

Book SynopsisQuantifying the American mood through opinion polls appears to be an unbiased means for finding out what people want. But in Numbered Voices, Susan Herbst demonstrates that the way public opinion is measured affects the use that voters, legislators, and journalists make of it. Exploring the history of public opinion in the United States from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day, Herbst shows how numbers served both instrumental and symbolic functions, not only conveying neutral information but creating a basis authority. Addressing how the quantification of public opinion has affected contemporary politics and the democratic process, Herbst asks difficult but fundamental questions about the workings of American politics.Table of ContentsPreface Introduction 1: Quantification and Rationality 2: Numbers and Symbolic Politics 3: Techniques of Opinion Expression and Measurement 4: Partisan Politics and the Symbolic Use of Straw Polls, 1856-1936 5: Congressmen, Journalists, and Opinion Assessment, 1930-1950 6: Contemporary Public Opinion Research 7: Crowd Estimation and Public Opinion 8: Opinion Quantification and Democracy Notes Bibliography Index

Read more less