Electoral Realignments

A Critique of an American Genre

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, History & Theory
Cover of the book Electoral Realignments by Professor David R. Mayhew, Yale University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Professor David R. Mayhew ISBN: 9780300130034
Publisher: Yale University Press Publication: October 1, 2008
Imprint: Yale University Press Language: English
Author: Professor David R. Mayhew
ISBN: 9780300130034
Publisher: Yale University Press
Publication: October 1, 2008
Imprint: Yale University Press
Language: English
The study of electoral realignments is one of the most influential and intellectually stimulating enterprises undertaken by American political scientists. Realignment theory has been seen as a science able to predict changes, and generations of students, journalists, pundits, and political scientists have been trained to be on the lookout for “signs” of new electoral realignments. Now a major political scientist argues that the essential claims of realignment theory are wrong-that American elections, parties, and policymaking are not (and never were) reconfigured according to the realignment calendar.
David Mayhew examines fifteen key empirical claims of realignment theory in detail and shows us why each in turn does not hold up under scrutiny. It is time, he insists, to open the field to new ideas. We might, for example, adopt a more nominalistic, skeptical way of thinking about American elections that highlights contingency, short-term election strategies, and valence issues. Or we might examine such broad topics as bellicosity in early American history, or racial questions in much of our electoral history. But we must move on from an old orthodoxy and failed model of illumination.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
The study of electoral realignments is one of the most influential and intellectually stimulating enterprises undertaken by American political scientists. Realignment theory has been seen as a science able to predict changes, and generations of students, journalists, pundits, and political scientists have been trained to be on the lookout for “signs” of new electoral realignments. Now a major political scientist argues that the essential claims of realignment theory are wrong-that American elections, parties, and policymaking are not (and never were) reconfigured according to the realignment calendar.
David Mayhew examines fifteen key empirical claims of realignment theory in detail and shows us why each in turn does not hold up under scrutiny. It is time, he insists, to open the field to new ideas. We might, for example, adopt a more nominalistic, skeptical way of thinking about American elections that highlights contingency, short-term election strategies, and valence issues. Or we might examine such broad topics as bellicosity in early American history, or racial questions in much of our electoral history. But we must move on from an old orthodoxy and failed model of illumination.

More books from Yale University Press

Cover of the book The God of Hope and the End of the World by Professor David R. Mayhew
Cover of the book The Struggle for Iraq's Future by Professor David R. Mayhew
Cover of the book Louis by Professor David R. Mayhew
Cover of the book Empires of the Atlantic World: Britain and Spain in America 1492-1830 by Professor David R. Mayhew
Cover of the book Jewish Materialism by Professor David R. Mayhew
Cover of the book Nietzsche's Task by Professor David R. Mayhew
Cover of the book The Rise and Fall of English by Professor David R. Mayhew
Cover of the book Nature by Design by Professor David R. Mayhew
Cover of the book Organic Futures by Professor David R. Mayhew
Cover of the book Hocus Bogus by Professor David R. Mayhew
Cover of the book Æthelstan by Professor David R. Mayhew
Cover of the book The Run of the Red Queen: Government, Innovation, Globalization, and Economic Growth in China by Professor David R. Mayhew
Cover of the book Vietnam by Professor David R. Mayhew
Cover of the book Forging the Past by Professor David R. Mayhew
Cover of the book Remoteness and Modernity by Professor David R. Mayhew
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy