Synopsis:
Reveals how the ""dynamic of third parties"" fuels the continuing evolution of our political system Three's a Crowd examines the reverberating effects of Ross Perot's historic 1992 and 1996 presidential campaigns. In clear and incisive language, authors Ronald Rapoport and Walter Stone show readers how the Perot campaigns epitomized the influence of third parties on American politics, producing the Republican Party's 1994 resurgence and shaping major-party competition in the elections since that watershed year. The history of American third parties follows a simple are: in one election, the third party raises new issues and defines new voter bloes; in the next, the major parties move in, ""bidding"" for these new issues and voters. In absorbing new constituencies, however, the major parties open themselves to change. Three's a Crowd is the first in-depth look at the supporters of a major third-party movement and the first study to examine the consequences of an insurgent electoral movement for major-party competition and change. Political scientists Ronald Rapoport and Walter Stone enjoyed unprecedented access to the Perot campaign, from the base electorate to the highest levels. The resulting book is a rich and authoritative study of the third parties' disproportionate influence on the American system, and a must-read for anyone interested in the future of American party politics.
Review:
"I am sending my copy of this book by messenger over to Mayor Bloomberg with a note: 'Run, Mike, Run!' If the Mayor wants to shape American politics over the next decade, he has to read "Three's a Crowd". He'll see that his billions will be far less influential as a private citizen than his ideas as a candidate in a presidential campaign; you can't buy with big bucks the excitement that comes from big ideas shaking the ground beneath the feet of the status quo. That for me is the message of this superb account by Rapoport and Stone of Ross Perot's campaign in 1992 and of third parties in particular."---Bill Moyers, "Bill Moyers Journal" "The definitive account of the Perot movement and an insightful and convincing analysis of how third parties and independent presidential candidates can influence election outcomes and alter the coalitional bases of the two major parties. With speculation rampant about a possible independent or third-party presidential candidacy, Rapoport and Stone's "Three's a Crowd" offers a rich and rewarding guide for thinking about the 2008 election."---Thomas E. Mann, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution, and coauthor of "The Broken Branch" "For much of our nation's history, we have enjoyed the political stability that comes from a two party system. "Three's a Crowd" probes how third-party candidates can alter party coalitions and spur the two major parties to embrace new policies. It's a fascinating read for anyone with an interest in politics."---Bill Clinton, President of the United States, 1993-2001
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