The End of Realignment?: Interpreting American Electoral Eras - Softcover

Byron E. Shafer (editor)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0299129748 ISBN 13: 9780299129743

Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press, 1991

Synopsis

Electoral realignment, referring originally to a major shift in party preference within the general public, has been one of the most successful theories in modern social science. Since V.O. Key introduced the theory in the 1950s, it has been the reigning explanation for patterns of electoral behaviour in American history, but it has stimulated a great deal of debate. ""The End of Realignment?"" provides a forum for differing viewpoints in this debate. Six political scientists and historians question whether the theory of realignment can explain electoral developments both of the post-1968 period and of earlier political eras. The essays alternately challenge and defend realignment. Some argue that the central notion, while historically useful, no longer explains contemporary electoral behaviour. Others argue that the notion is based on comparatively recent history and has been misused to carve American history into grand political eras. Many in both camps agree that depending heavily on realignment to explain electoral politics obscures other influences at work in elections.

About this title

About the Author

Byron E. Shafer is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor of American Government at Oxford University.  He is the author of Quiet Revolution: The Struggle for the Democratic Party and the Shaping of Post-Reform Politics; Bifurcated Politics: Evolution and Reform in the National Party Convention; and Is America Different? A New Look at American Exceptionalism. He is also the author of Postwar Politics in the G7 published by the University of Wisconsin Press.
 

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0299129748
• ISBN 13: 9780299129743
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 200