The Inevitable Party

Why Attempts to Kill the Party System Fail and How they Weaken Democracy

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Political Parties, Elections, Democracy
Cover of the book The Inevitable Party by Seth Masket, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Seth Masket ISBN: 9780190630539
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: April 1, 2016
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Seth Masket
ISBN: 9780190630539
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: April 1, 2016
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

Seth Masket's The Inevitable Party is a study of anti-party reforms and why they fail. Numerous reform movements over the past century have designated parties as the enemy of democracy, and they have found a willing ally in the American people in their efforts to rein in and occasionally root out parties. Masket investigates several of these anti-party reform efforts - from open primaries to campaign finance restrictions to nonpartisan legislatures - using legislative roll call votes, campaign donations patterns, and extensive interviews with local political elites. These cases each demonstrate parties adapting to, and sometimes thriving amidst, reforms designed to weaken or destroy them. The reason for these reforms' failures, the book argues, is that they proceed from an incorrect conception of just what a party is. Parties are not rigid structures that can be wished or legislated away; they are networks of creative and adaptive policy demanders who use their influence to determine just what sorts of people get nominated for office. Even while these reforms tend to fail, however, they impose considerable costs on society, usually reducing transparency and accountability in politics and government.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Seth Masket's The Inevitable Party is a study of anti-party reforms and why they fail. Numerous reform movements over the past century have designated parties as the enemy of democracy, and they have found a willing ally in the American people in their efforts to rein in and occasionally root out parties. Masket investigates several of these anti-party reform efforts - from open primaries to campaign finance restrictions to nonpartisan legislatures - using legislative roll call votes, campaign donations patterns, and extensive interviews with local political elites. These cases each demonstrate parties adapting to, and sometimes thriving amidst, reforms designed to weaken or destroy them. The reason for these reforms' failures, the book argues, is that they proceed from an incorrect conception of just what a party is. Parties are not rigid structures that can be wished or legislated away; they are networks of creative and adaptive policy demanders who use their influence to determine just what sorts of people get nominated for office. Even while these reforms tend to fail, however, they impose considerable costs on society, usually reducing transparency and accountability in politics and government.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book Recorded Music in American Life by Seth Masket
Cover of the book Homa Variations by Seth Masket
Cover of the book Chromosome Abnormalities and Genetic Counseling by Seth Masket
Cover of the book Singing Across Divides by Seth Masket
Cover of the book The Origins of the World's Mythologies by Seth Masket
Cover of the book Before the Singing by Seth Masket
Cover of the book Lincoln's Last Speech by Seth Masket
Cover of the book The Sjogren's Book by Seth Masket
Cover of the book Treasure Island Level 4 Oxford Bookworms Library by Seth Masket
Cover of the book Music Learning Today by Seth Masket
Cover of the book From Gibbon to Auden by Seth Masket
Cover of the book Sharp's Dictionary of Power and Struggle by Seth Masket
Cover of the book Classroom English - Oxford Basics by Seth Masket
Cover of the book Faith with Benefits by Seth Masket
Cover of the book Oxford Handbooks for Language Teachers: Putting CLIL into Practice by Seth Masket
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