Jeffrey M. Stonecash

Mark D. Brewer

Dynamics of American Political Parties examines the process of gradual change that inexorably shapes and reshapes American politics. Parties and the politicians that comprise them seek control of government in order to implement their visions of proper public policy. To gain control parties need to win elections, and winning elections requires assembling an electoral coalition that is larger than that crafted by the opposition. Uncertainty rules and intra-party conflict rages as different factions and groups within the parties debate the proper course(s) of action and battle it out for control of the party. Parties can never be sure how their strategic maneuvers will play out, and, even when it appears that a certain strategy has been successful, party leaders are unclear about how long apparent success will last. Change unfolds slowly, in fits and starts.

Dynamics of American Political Parties

Talk of politics in the United States today is abuzz with warring red and blue factions. The message is that Americans are split due to deeply-held beliefs—over abortion, gay marriage, stem-cell research, prayer in public schools. Is this cultural divide a myth, the product of elite partisans? Or is the split real? Yes, argue authors Mark Brewer and Jeffrey Stonecash—the cultural divisions are real. Yet they tell only half the story. Differences in income and economic opportunity also fuel division—a split along class lines. Cultural issues have not displaced class issues, as many believe. Split shows that both divisions coexist meaning that levels of taxation and the quality of healthcare matter just as much as the debate over the right to life versus the right to choose. The authors offer balanced, objective analysis, complete with a wealth of data-rich figures and tables, to explain the social trends underlying these class and cultural divides and then explore the response of the parties and voters. Offering solid empirical evidence, the authors show that how politicians, the media, and interest groups perceive citizen preferences—be they cultural or class based—determines whether or not the public gets what it wants. Simply put, each set of issues creates political conflict and debate that produce very different policies and laws. With a lively and highly readable narrative, students at every level will appreciate the brevity and punch of Split and come away with a more nuanced understanding of the divisions that drive the current American polity.

Class and Cultural Divides in American Politics

Split

Professor Jeffrey M Stonecash

Mary P. McGuire

Mary P.. McGuire

"Democrats enacted the major changes, but only with enormous reluctance and only under enormous pressure. And Republicans, with one exception, were not eager to repeal the actions of Democrats when Republicans regained power. Democrats did not play the simple role of being liberal, and Republicans did not play the simple role of being conservative. The behavior and motives of parties present an important puzzle, which this book also seeks to address.".

Parties and New Jersey Politics, 1950-2000

The Emergence of State Government

How do parties respond to the electorate and craft winning strategies? In the abstract parties are the vehicles to make democracy work, but it is often difficult to see the process working as well as we think it might. Indeed, voters often struggle to see parties as the valuable vehicles of representation that so many academics describe. There is a clear discrepancy between the ideal expressed in many textbooks and the reality that we see playing out in politics. Noted scholar Jeffrey Stonecash gives us a big picture analysis that helps us understand what is happening in contemporary party politics. He explains that parties behave the way they do because of existing political conditions and how parties adapt to those conditions as they prepare for the next election. Parties are unsure if realignment has stabilized and just what issues brought them their current base. Does a majority support their positions and how are they to react to ongoing social change? Is the electorate paying attention, and can parties get a clear message to those voters? This book focuses on the challenges parties face in preparing for future elections while seeking to cope with current conditions. This coping leads to indecisiveness of positioning, simplification of issues, repetition of messages, and efforts to disparage the reputation of the opposing party. Stonecash sheds much needed light on why parties engage in the practices that frustrate so many Americans.

Democratic Ideals, Political Uncertainty and Strategic Positioning

Understanding American Political Parties

Howard L. Reiter

In Counter Realignment, Howard L. Reiter and Jeffrey M. Stonecash analyze data from the early 1900s to the early 2000s to explain how the Republican Party lost the northeastern United States as a region of electoral support. Although the story of how the 'Solid South' shifted from the Democratic to the Republican parties has received extensive consideration from political scientists, far less attention has been given to the erosion of support for Republicans in the Northeast. Reiter and Stonecash examine who the Republican Party lost as it repositioned itself, resulting in the shift of power in the Northeast from heavily Republican in 1900 to heavily Democratic in the 2000s.

Political Change in the Northeastern United States

Counter Realignment

Robert F. Pecorella

Essays on New York State government and politics.

Fifth Edition

Governing New York State

Javier Marco

This collection features a selection of classical pieces by the world's most renowned composers: Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, Johannes Pachelbel, Antonio Vivaldi, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Richard Wagner, Johannes Brahms, Johann Strauss, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Giuseppe Verdi, Edvard Grieg and Edward Elgar. This selection of pieces is intended for absolute beginners. While other books have a accompaniment part for teachers, in this book the accompaniment has been over simplified for beginner students. Includes: 1812 Overture A Little Night Music The Blue Danube Bridal Chorus Canon in D Dance of the Flowers Greensleeves In the Hall of the Mountain King Jesu, Joy Of Man Desiring La Donna e Mobile Land of Hope and Glory Lullaby Ode to Joy Spring - Four Seasons Water Music Disclaimer: this edition does not include an insert. The pieces are presented for duet and then, at the end of the book, the parts for the soloist instrument.

Jeffrey M. Stonecash

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