High-tech grass roots : the professionalization of local elections / J. Cherie Strachan.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Strachan, J. Cherie, 1970-

Series:

Campaigning American style

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Local elections--United States.

Local elections.

Campaign management--United States.

Campaign management.

United States.

Political campaigns--United States.

Political campaigns.

Physical Description:

vii, 143 pages ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

Lanham, Md. : Rowman & Littlefield, [2003]

Summary:

Election campaigns in small and mid-sized electoral districts have been run from the grassroots from the beginning of the republic. Yard signs, door-to-door canvassing, and soap-box oratory have characterized state and local elections for years, and many predict their persistence into the 21st century. This book looks at new trends in small town politics, tracking the infiltration of sophisticated communications technology, the use of political consultants, and the increase in fundraising and campaign expenditures. Original surveys, interviews, and in-depth case studies lead the author to conclude that the new tactics are with us to stay, but that their potentially negative effects -- rising campaign budgets and diminished citizen participation -- may be mitigated by creative approaches to reform.

Contents:

1 The Latest Trends in U.S. Political Campaigns 1

2 How Are Local Candidates Campaigning for Office? 21

3 Why Are Local Candidates Adopting New-Style Campaign Strategies? 37

4 How Will Encroaching Campaign Sophistication Affect the Health of Democracy? 69

5 Electoral Reform from the Grass Roots 105

Appendix A A Detailed Account of Data Collection 123

Appendix B Summarizing Campaign Sophistication 129.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 133-138) and index.

ISBN:

0742517659

0742517667

OCLC:

50203913