Description
Book SynopsisThe contemporary American political landscape has been marked by two paradoxical transformations: the emergence after 1960 of an increasingly activist state, and the rise of an assertive and politically powerful conservatism that strongly opposes activist government. This work features young scholars who take up these issues.
Trade Review"This smart collection of essays, unlike most such compilations, is as coherent as the title advertises."--Andrew Hartman, Michigan Historical Review "I would recommend this book to everyone who is interested in the geological history of our planet... The book is written in an easy and understandable language."--Ekologija "This excellent volume is recommended for all scholars of conservatism and anyone who studies the American national government, particularly American political development scholars interested in state building and transformation."--Richard J. Meagher, The Americas
Table of ContentsList of Figures vii List of Tables ix List of Contributors xi INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER ONE: American Politics in the Long Run by Paul Pierson and Theda Skocpol 3 PART ONE: The Shifting Political Landscape 17 CHAPTER TWO The Rise and Reconfiguration of Activist Government by Paul Pierson 19 CHAPTER THREE: Government Activism and the Reorganization of American Civic Democracy by Theda Skocpol 39 CHAPTER FOUR: Parties, Electoral Participation, and Shifting Voting Blocs by Andrea Louise Campbell 68 PART TWO: Conservatives on the Rise 103 CHAPTER FIVE: Seizing Power: Conservatives and Congress since the 1970s by Julian E. Zelizer 105 CHAPTER SIX: Economic Insecurity, Party Reputations, and the Republican Ascendance by Mark A. Smith 135 CHAPTER SEVEN: Conservative Mobilization against Entrenched Liberalism by Steven M. Teles 160 PART THREE: Policy and Politics in the New American Polity 189 CHAPTER EIGHT: The Transformed Welfare State and the Redistribution of Political Voice by Suzanne Mettler 191 CHAPTER NINE: The Policy Effects of Political Polarization by Nolan McCarty 223 CHAPTER TEN: Tax Politics and the Struggle over Activist Government by Jacob S. Hacker and Paul Pierson 256 CONCLUSION 281 CHAPTER ELEVEN: Political Development and Contemporary American Politics by Paul Pierson and Theda Skocpol 283 References 295 Index 321
