Why parties? : a second look

Resource Information

The work Why parties? : a second look represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in University of San Diego Libraries. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

Why parties? : a second look

Title remainder

a second look

Statement of responsibility

John H. Aldrich

Creator

• Aldrich, John H., 1947-

Subject

• Political parties -- United States -- History
• United States -- Politics and government

Language

eng

Summary

• "Since its first appearance fifteen years ago, Why Parties' has become essential reading for anyone wishing to understand the nature of American political parties. In the interim, the party system has undergone some radical changes. In this landmark book, now rewritten for the new millennium, John H. Aldrich goes beyond the clamor of arguments over whether American political parties are in resurgence or decline and undertakes a wholesale reexamination of the foundations of the American party system
• Surveying critical episodes in the development of American political parties--from their formation in the 1790s to the Civil War--Aldrich shows how they serve to combat three fundamental problems of democracy: how to regulate the number of people seeking public office, how to mobilize voters, and how to achieve and maintain the majorities needed to accomplish goals once in office. Aldrich brings this innovative account up to the present by looking at the profound changes in the character of political parties since World War II, especially in light of ongoing contemporary transformations, including the rise of the Republican Party in the South, and what those changes accomplish, such as the Obama Health Care plan. Finally, Why Parties? A Second Look offers a fuller consideration of party systems in general, especially the two-party system in the United States, and explains why this system is necessary for effective democracy."(Provided by publisher)

Member of

• Chicago studies in American politics

Cataloging source

ICU/DLC

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

index present

LC call number

JK2261

LC item number

.A458 2011

Literary form

non fiction

Nature of contents

bibliography

Series statement

Chicago studies in American politics