Shadow realignment, partisan strength, and competition : 1960-2000 / Albert J. Nelson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Nelson, Albert J.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Politics, Practical.

Political parties--United States.

Political parties.

United States--Politics and government.

United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (120 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Westport, Conn. : Praeger, 2002.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Challenging the argument that party cycles no longer exist, Nelson reconstructs party strength indices associated with national and state Democratic electoral outcomes between 1960 and 2000. Four periods are distinguishable, Democratic liberalism of 1960-1968, Dealignment between 1968-1984, the shadow realignment during 1985-1992, and the conservative consolidation between 1993-2000. During each of these periods party competition increased and Republicans gained ground, setting the groundwork for the GOP's national and local success in the 2000 elections. The variable effects of the South, proportion of foreign-born population, and population change in each state on contemporary party strength and presidential elections from 1980 to 2000 are also explained. Students and scholars interested in political parties, American government, and state and local government will find Nelson's findings compelling. Displaying an overwhelming grasp of the literature on partisan change, Nelson presents new and interesting insights that help to explain why traditional alignment theory cannot explain the partisan change that has taken place over the past forty years.

Contents:

Intro

Illustrations

1. INTRODUCTION

Party Cycles

Separation of Powers and Decline of Parties

Candidate-Centered Politics and Incumbency

Regionalism and the Decline of the Democrats

Postindustrial Dislocation

Direction of this Book

2. SHADOW REALIGNMENT AND NATIONAL PARTISAN VARIATION AND COMPETITION

National Party Strength Index

Electoral Periods and Shadow Realignment

National Partisan Strength in Regions

National Partisan Competition by State

3. STATE PARTISAN VARIATION AND COMPETITION

National and State Party Strength Indices Compared

Regional Party Strength

State Party Competition

4. EXPLAINING SHIFTING PARTY STRENGTH, ELECTORAL REFORM, AND CONCLUSIONS

Predicting Party Strength Indices

Predicting Presidential Elections

Gala 2000

Electoral Reform

Bush Problems

Conclusions

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. [95]-105) and index.

ISBN:

9780313075339

0313075336

OCLC:

70765952