This book offers a thorough analysis of recent American election data to document trends in American political behavior.
Elizabeth Theiss-Morse is the Willa Cather Professor of Political Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is the author of several award-winning books including Who Counts as an American?, Stealth Democracy, Congress as Public Enemy, and With Malice Toward Some. Michael W. Wagner is assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. There, he is also the Louis A. Maier Faculty Development Fellow and holds an affiliated position in the Department of Political Science. He has won awards for his teaching and scholarship in the area of political communication in American politics.
Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: Democratic Beliefs and American Democracy Are Elections Free and Fair? Attitudes Toward Democracy Trust in Government Maintaining a Democracy Study Questions Suggested Readings Internet Resources Notes Chapter 2: Electoral Context and Strategy The Fundamentals The Rules of the Game Strategy The Unexpected Understanding Fundamentals and Winning Elections Study Questions Suggested Readings Notes Chapter 3: Turnout and Participation in Elections Measuring Turnout in American Elections Institutional Impediments to Turnout Individual-level Explanations of Turnout Campaign Activity and Mobilization in American Elections Study Questions Suggested Readings Internet Resources Notes Chapter 4: Unconventional Participation and Social Identity Unconventional Participation Explaining Unconventional Participation The Use of Violence to Achieve Political Ends Unconventional Participation and Democracy Study Questions Suggested Readings Internet Resources Notes Chapter 5: Partisanship and Party Change Party Loyalty and Identification Voting Behavior Partisans, Realignment, and Party Systems Partisan Change The Future of Parties and Partisanship Study Questions Suggested Readings Notes Chapter 6: Public Opinion and Ideology The Measurement of Public Opinion Public Opinion on Issues Political Ideology Public Opinion and Political Leadership Study Questions Suggested Readings Internet Resources Notes Chapter 7: Political Communication and the Mass Media The News Media: Functions, Types, and Users Media Bias and Audience Bias The News, the Public Agenda, and Partisan Polarization Social Media and Contemporary Politics Political Communication and Attitude Change in Political Campaigns Conclusion Study Questions Suggested Readings Internet Resources Notes Chapter 8: Vote Choice and Electoral Decisions Long-Term Determinants of Presidential Vote Choice Short-Term Determinants of Presidential Vote Choice The Popular Vote and the Electoral College Vote Choice in Other Types of Elections The Meaning of an Election Study Questions Suggested Readings Internet Resources Notes Appendix: Survey Research Methods
