The Long War over Party Structure: Democratic Representation and Policy Responsiveness in American Politics

The book "The Party Decides" examines the power dynamics between party professionals and issue activists in American politics, arguing that the balance of power shifted in the 1970s, with unintended consequences.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 14 April 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The debate surrounding the appropriate structure of political parties and the relative power to be granted to party professionals versus issue activists has been a longstanding feature of American politics. In their book, Byron E. Shafer and Regina L. Wagner delve into this contentious issue by employing new data and indexes to assess the extent to which party structure has altered since the 1950s and its subsequent impact on policy responsiveness, democratic representation, and party alignment across various issue domains.

The authors argue that while the conventional narrative suggests the ascendancy of volunteer parties since the 1970s, the reality is more complex. While the balance of power has indeed shifted, with unintended and sometimes perverse consequences, the extent of the triumph of volunteer parties has been less comprehensive than previously believed.

Through their evaluation of the central questions, this book provides an insightful account of how partisan alignments have evolved alongside newly empowered issue activists and significant post-war developments, such as the civil rights movement and the culture wars. The authors shed light on the complex dynamics that shape political parties and their role in shaping public policy.

This book is a valuable contribution to the field of political science, offering a comprehensive analysis of the evolving landscape of political parties and their impact on American politics. It provides valuable insights for scholars, policymakers, and interested individuals seeking to understand the complex dynamics of contemporary politics.

ISBN-13: 9781108718868
Edition number: New ed