Campaigns, Elections, and the Threat to Democracy: What Everyone Needs to Know (R)

The United States holds more elections than any other democracy, but in recent years, the system of campaigns and elections has become more fragile and vulnerable. This new edition of Campaigns, Elections, and the Threat to Democracy: What Everyone Needs to Know® offers the most up-to-date examination of campaigns, elections, and future threats to voting and democracy, including the 2020 US presidential election, the Stop the Steal movement, election interference and cyber threats, voting by mail, voting reforms, and ranked-choice voting.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 26 January 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Frequent and fair elections, open to all, are fundamental elements of a democracy. The United States, through its local, state, and national contests, holds more elections, more often, than any other democracy in the world. But in recent years, there have been troubling signs that our system of campaigns and elections has become much more fragile and vulnerable. More specifically, in the past twenty years, campaigns have changed profoundly: social media and viral messaging compete with traditional media, races once considered local in nature have become nationalized, Supreme Court decisions on campaign finance law now encourage mega-donors, voters are more polarized, party affiliation has waned, and the middle ideological ground has given way to extremist language and voter rage. Twice in sixteen years, we have seen winning presidential candidates gaining fewer popular votes than their opponents. The fundamental right of every citizen to vote has been impeded by state legislatures demanding tighter access, more identification, and accusations of voter fraud. And we have faced the real threat of foreign influence in our national elections.

This new edition of Campaigns, Elections, and the Threat to Democracy: What Everyone Needs to Know® offers the most up-to-date examination of campaigns, elections, and future threats to voting and democracy. It addresses the 2020 US presidential election, the Stop the Steal movement, election interference and cyber threats to voting, voting by mail (and the backlash against it), voting reforms and ranked-choice voting, and the Supreme Court 2019 ruling on gerrymandering. It will also include new data on voter participation, voter fraud, reapportionment post-2020 census, party polarization, campaign finance, and more.

Given the fragility of our election process, it is more important than ever to ensure that our elections are fair, secure, and accessible to all eligible voters. This requires a commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of democratic norms and institutions. It also requires us to address the underlying factors that are contributing to the decline of trust in our elections, such as political polarization, campaign finance reform, and efforts to prevent foreign interference.

In conclusion, frequent and fair elections, open to all, are essential to the health of a democracy. The United States has a long history of holding successful elections, but recent trends have raised concerns about the fragility of our system. It is up to all of us to work together to ensure that our elections are secure, fair, and accessible to all eligible voters. By doing so, we can help to protect the fundamental right of every citizen to vote and to preserve the integrity of our democratic institutions.

Weight: 288g
Dimension: 210 x 140 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197641989
Edition number: 2 Revised edition