Description
Book SynopsisDo we get the best presidential candidates to run and elect the presidents we deserve as a nation? If not, why not? Could it have something to do with the quality of campaigns in American politics today? Noted presidential scholar Bruce Buchanan puts the 1996 presidential election campaign in context with the campaigns of 1988 and 1992, making the case that ''good'' campaignsespecially those with issue-oriented media coverage and positive campaign advertisementsdo make a difference in the quality and quantity of citizen participation, policy input and output, and overall good governance. Perfect for college courses on campaigns and elections and on the presidency, this book looks ahead to future election campaigns with a hope for creating a nation of ''citizen owners and lovers'' of the political process, not to mention candidates and media coverage worthy of citizen involvement and attention.
Trade ReviewA wonderfully thoughtful and insightful book. It shows how citizen engagement can make presidential campaigns more effective in strengthening our democratic processes. -- Daniel Yankelovich, President, Public Agenda
Buchanan has cast a probing eye on democratic theory and practice to explain why contemporary American political campaigns have become so repellent. This is an extremely sophisticated analysis. -- Paul Taylor, Free TV for Straight Talk Coalition
Buchanan effectively presents and analyzes a number of important and relevant works on the various topics he addresses. * Perspectives on Political Science *
This valuable and challenging book forces us to reexamine the role of the citizen in a political democracy in a way that both blames and praises the citizen. * Rhethoric and Public Affairs *
Buchanan makes a real contribution in defining bad practices such as manipulation, attack speech, deception, pandering, and demagoguery. * CHOICE *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Preface: Good and Bad Campaigns Chapter 2 Acknowledgments Chapter 3 Introduction: The View from the Future Chapter 4 A Tale of Two Campaigns Chapter 5 The History of a Relationship Chapter 6 A Conflict of Interests Chapter 7 The Uses of Presidential Campaigns Chapter 8 Manipulation vs. Persuasion Chapter 9 The Costs of Politics Chapter 10 Welfare and Race Chapter 11 Media: Distorting the Message Chapter 12 Back to the Voters Chapter 13 References Chapter 14 Index
