Are All Politics Nationalized?: Evidence from the 2020 Campaigns in Pennsylvania

The article "Are All Politics Nationalized?" examines the extent to which national issues and debates influence voters' choices in state and local elections. It looks at the 2020 elections in six Pennsylvania districts to explore the level of nationalization in campaigns for Congress and state legislature. The article concludes that while national politics do have an impact on local races, issues specific to particular districts still matter, and candidates are eager to connect with voters by highlighting their ties to the local community.

Format: Hardback
Length: 257 pages
Publication date: 16 December 2022
Publisher: Temple University Press,U.S.

Are All Politics Nationalized?

The focus of the news media on national issues and debates often leads voters to make decisions about state and local candidates based on their views of the national parties and presidential candidates. However, the concept of nationalization and the process by which politics becomes nationalized are not fully understood.

To address this knowledge gap, Are All Politics Nationalized? examines the behavior of candidates and the factors that influence voters' electoral choices. The editors and contributors of the book explore the level of nationalization in campaigns for Congress and state legislature in six Pennsylvania districts during the 2020 elections. They also question whether politicians are encouraging nationalized behavior and straight ticket voting, particularly in down-ballot races.

The book concludes that issues specific to particular districts, such as fracking and local union politics, still matter. Candidates are eager to connect with voters by highlighting their ties to the local community, even in races that are heavily localized. While national politics do trickle down to local races, races up and down the ballot remain largely localized.

In conclusion, Are All Politics Nationalized? provides valuable insights into the dynamics of political campaigns and the factors that influence voters' choices. By examining the 2020 elections in six Pennsylvania districts, the book demonstrates that while national issues and debates play a role in shaping electoral outcomes, local factors still matter and candidates are eager to connect with voters on a personal level.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781439922545