The Parties Respond ─ Changes in American Parties and Campaigns

While the first edition of this text on party politics in the United States came at a time when theories of party decline were in the ascendancy, this fifth edition, edited by Brewer (political science, U. of Maine) and Maisel (government, Colby College), demonstrates a contrasting emphasis on party resurgence. Nevertheless, despite the change in emphasis, the basic topics of party politics in the United States of interest to scholars of political science and government remain consistent, as is reflected in the subjects examined in this volume's 13 chapters: the American political party system in global comparison, parties and the crafting of electoral coalitions, ideologies and party polarization, local party viability and objectives, the dynamics of national parties, the role of parties in the presidential nominating contests, political parties and campaign finance, political parties and the media, the role of parties in the congressional policy process, and the impact of partisan presidential appointments. Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)