Description
Book SynopsisThe Politics of Values shows how Evangelical moral influence morphed into public policy and partisan political support for the Republican Party. It will show how the politics of values were used as a means to gain and hold political power, and articulate how those who tried to implement the politics of values in campaigns and public policy began to fall into disrepute. Due to their own arrogance and scandalous behavior, many were voted out of elective office, losing significant races in the 2006 mid-term elections, and leaving the Republican Party severely compromised for the 2008 Presidential election. This book argues that the ensuing erosion of the Evangelical-Republican symbiosis will soon become more visible and powerful as growing demands for an emphasis on new spiritual values and adjusted political priorities. In short, the nexus of conservative ideology, religion, and politics is imploding. In its place, progressive alternatives are developing; in fact, some are already being presented to the voter by candidates who are motivated by new challenges and cultural directions.
Trade ReviewIt is a broad, competent review of the role of religion in politics in recent years. Formicola is well versed....Recommended. * CHOICE, November 2008 *
In The Politics of Values, Formicola tells the story of the marriage of the religious and political right. She does this both as an insider, someone who was there when it began, and as an outsider — as a citizen who has increasingly observed this alliance's damaging effects on American democracy. If we want to understand today's "Values Voters," this book is a must read. -- David Domke, author of The God Strategy: How Religion Became a Political Weapon in America
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 1. The Emergence: Values and Politics Together Chapter 3 2. The Nexus: Religion, Ideology, and Politics Chapter 4 3. Saturation: Values, Values Everywhere Chapter 5 4. Consistency: Religious Values in Politics Chapter 6 5. Democrats: Meet the Religious Left and Center Chapter 7 6. Religious Progressives: Meet the Democrats Chapter 8 7. The Right Implodes Chapter 9 8. The Future: Looking Forward to 2008 and Beyond
