Polarization and the Politics of Personal Responsibility

Contemporary American politics is highly polarized, and it is increasingly clear that this polarization exists at both the elite and mass levels. What is less clear is the source of this polarization. Social issues are routinely presented by some as the driver of polarization, while others point to economic inequality and class divisions. Still others single out divisions surrounding race and ethnicity, or gender, or religion as the underlying source of the deep political divide that currently exists in the United States. All of these phenomena are undoubtedly highly relevant in American politics, and it is also beyond question that they represent significant cleavages within the American polity. We argue, however, that disagreement over a much more fundamental matter lies at the foundation of the polarization that marks American politics in the early 21st century. That matter is personal responsibility. Some Americans fervently believe that an individual's lot in life is primarily if not exclusively his or her own responsibility. Opportunity is widespread in American society, and individuals succeed or fail based on their own talents and efforts. Society greatly benefits from such an arrangement, and as such government policies should support and reward individual initiative and responsibility. Other Americans see personal responsibility-while fine in theory-as an unjust organizing principle for contemporary American society. For these Americans, success or failure in life is far too often not the result of personal effort but of large forces well beyond the control of the individual. Opportunity is not widespread, and is by no means equally available to all Americans. In light of these basic facts of American life, it is the responsibility of the state to step in and implement policies that alleviate inequality and assist those who fail by no fault of their own. These basic differences surrounding the idea of personal responsibility are what separate Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals, in contemporary American politics.

Politics & Social Sciences

Stonecash, Jeffrey M.

Brewer, Mark D.

Philosophy

Oxford University Press

The Parties Respond: Changes in American Parties and Campaigns (Transforming American Politics)

Review\n"A consistently excellent reader on U.S. political parties just got better. As either supplement or main text, this volume provides students with a thorough overview of political parties in both their historical and contemporary contexts. Maisel and his contributors continue their outstanding job of discussing the changing role of parties in the electoral and institutional arenas." 
--Peter Galderisi, Utah State University 
"This fine collection of essays by many of the leading scholars of the subfield is perfectly suited for an upper-level undergraduate class on political parties. With four completely new chapters and nine revised selections, this book contains an impressive array of original scholarship on the recent developments and ongoing concerns regarding the place of political parties within the political system. Most undergraduates have very negative views of political parties. This book will help them understand the central role that parties play in American politics." 
--David T. Canon, University of Wisconsin, Madison\n"No volume does a better job of bringing together contributions from such a wide range of leading scholars of American political parties. In this era of increasing partisan polarization, the study of political parties is more relevant than ever. Students and scholars alike will benefit from a careful reading of the research presented here." 
--Laura R. Olson, Clemson University 
"I am thrilled that Brewer and Maisel have put together a new edition of The Parties Respond. Students still come to college thinking that parties are weak and meaningless, even though they are stronger now than they have been in 100 years. In bringing together the best people to offer essays on the most up to date controversies, Brewer and Maisel have assembled their best edition yet." 
--Marc J. Hetherington, Vanderbilt University 
"Each reading in this remarkable book is filled with insight and information, as exemplified by 'Boehner's Dilemma'--a penetrating analysis at the electoral and governing consequences of the Tea Party's influence on the GOP. The Parties Respond is a 'must read' for courses on political parties and campaigns/elections." 
--Thomas E. Patterson, Harvard University 
From the Fourth Edition:\n"This latest edition of a well-established and wide-ranging collection of essays about political parties raises the question of what is old and what is new. The book is so comprehensive that it could be used as the basis for a course in American political parties. Once again Maisel has provided a valuable service by bringing together a solid and well-written collection. Highly recommended." 
--Choice 
"The Parties Respond is an excellent collection of works that are both analytically insightful and accessible to an undergraduate audience. Examining the American two-party system from numerous angles, this book illuminates the complexities of our particular brand of democracy. The new edition includes chapters on two important developments, the 2000 election and the ever-evolving campaign finance system." 
--Jennifer Steen, Boston College 
"The Parties Respond combines excellent coverage of both the fundamental issues in political parties research and the important topical issues of the day. The articles are written by some of the top scholars in the field, but at a level accessible to undergraduates. Now in its fourth edition, it remains an important resource for scholars and students alike." 
--Ron Rapoport, College of William and Mary\n"No volume does a better job of bringing together contributions from such a wide range of leading scholars of American political parties. In this era of increasing partisan polarization, the study of political parties is more relevant than ever. Students and scholars alike will benefit from a careful reading of the research presented here." - Laura R. Olson, Clemson University 
"I am thrilled that Brewer and Maisel have put together a new edition of "The Parties Respond." Students still

Politics & Government

Routledge

Party Images in the American Electorate

Party affiliation has long been the driving force behind electoral politics in the United States. Despite this fact, scant attention has been devoted to the American electorate’s party images―the "mental pictures" that individuals have about the parties which enable citizens to translate events in the larger political environment into terms meaningful to them as individuals. Party images are central to understanding individuals’ political perceptions and, ultimately, voting behavior.   Party Images in the American Electorate systematically examines the substance, evolution, and manipulation of party images within the American public over the last half century, both within the public as a whole and within important subgroups based on class, race and ethnicity, sex, and religiosity. Ultimately, this important book investigates how these party images are tied into the story of party polarization and how they affect electoral outcomes in the United States.

Party affiliation has long been the driving force behind electoral politics in the United States. Despite this fact, scant attention has been devoted to the American electorate’s party images―the "mental pictures" that individuals have about the parties which enable citizens to translate events in the larger political environment into terms meaningful to them as individuals. Party images are central to understanding individuals’ political perceptions and, ultimately, voting behavior. Party Images in the American Electorate systematically examines the substance, evolution, and manipulation of party images within the American public over the last half century, both within the public as a whole and within important subgroups based on class, race and ethnicity, sex, and religiosity. Ultimately, this important book investigates how these party images are tied into the story of party polarization and how they affect electoral outcomes in the United States.

Dynamics of American Political Parties

In Dynamics of American Political Parties, Mark D. Brewer and Jeffrey M. Stonecash examine 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. Parties are always looking for opportunities to build such winning coalitions, and opportunities are always there, but they are rarely, if ever, without risk. 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.

History

Cambridge University Press

This book provides a comprehensive treatment of political parties and elections in the United States. It covers all elements of parties and the electoral process, including local, state, and national party organizations, American party history and party systems, state and local nominations, state and local elections, presidential nominations, and presidential elections. Separate chapters are devoted to the important subjects of the media in the electoral process and campaign finance. A historical perspective is present throughout. The role of political parties in and the contributions of political parties to representative democracy are examined critically. Stay on top of Prof. Maisel's latest musings and predictions via his regular column in the Maine Morning Sentinel. Come back to this site for links to each column as they're made available on the website of the Morning Sentinel: 2/1/08 Sandy Maisel column: Everyone Wants Change 2/15/08 Sandy Maisel column: Long Primary Season 5/30/08 NPR story featuring analysis by Sandy Maisel: Battles over Party Nominees Are Old Hat, Bad News 6/6/08 Sandy Maisel column: Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton 6/20/08 Sandy Maisel column: Candidates' Views on Guantanamo 6/24/08 article featuring analysis by Sandy Maisel: Splitting electoral college votes nationwide could have big impact 8/1/08 Sandy Maisel column:What's the Point of a Presidential Campaign? 9/19/08 Joseph Reiser column: Brits Confused By Our Populist System 9/26/08 Sandy Maisel column: The Debate Moderators' Challenge 10/10/08 Sandy Maisel column: New President Will Likely Work with Democratic Congress 10/31/08 Joseph Reiser column: Election Notable for Embracing New Ideas 11/4/08 article featuring analysis by Sandy Maisel: Is today's election a momentous one? 11/5/08 article featuring analysis by Sandy Maisel: History replete with turning-point elections 11/7/08 Sandy Maisel column: Obama's personal prestige should help him with D.C. power brokers 11/21/08 Sandy Maisel column: With latest picks, Obama chooses staff with clear qualifications 12/5/08 Sandy Maisel column: Bush using last weeks in office to further his agenda, help friends 12/19/08 Sandy Maisel column: When campaign workers convene, common themes become clear 1/2/09 Sandy Maisel column: Obama merges Nixon efficiency, FDR, JFK intellectual confidence 1/16/09 Sandy Maisel column: Bush still doesn't understand why people turned 'hostile' to him 2/13/09 Sandy Maisel column: Is bipartisanship needed for action on stimulus package? 2/27/09 Sandy Maisel column: Obama's speech to nation inspired without sugar-coating 3/13/09 Sandy Maisel column: Lots of 24-7 news coverage, but what sources can you trust? 3/27/09 Sandy Maisel column: In this time of economic pain, we're flinging anger around 4/10/09 Sandy Maisel column: Mainers are exceptional, but even we can learn from others

Parties and Elections in America: The Electoral Process

Maisel, Sandy L.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Party polarization in the House of Representatives has increased in recent decades. Explaining this development has been difficult, given current interpretations of American elections. The dominant framework for interpreting elections has been to see them as candidate-centered, or individualistic. This framework may have seemed appropriate as a way to see elections during the 1970s and 1980s, when identification with parties declined and split-ticket voting increased. With increasing party differences, however, the presumptions that campaigns focus on candidates separate from parties, and that voters are less partisan in their voting, do not provide a satisfactory framework for understanding our current situation. This proposed book explains the emergence of party polarization by focusing on how the constituencies of House districts affect partisan outcomes and the subsequent voting behavior of House members. This proposed analysis is premised on the simple argument that members are elected from districts, and an explanation of polarization must begin with districts. The origins of polarization lie in the realignment of the electoral bases of the parties, and the shifting demographic composition of America. Liberal voting is more likely among members from urban, lower-income, largely non-white districts. Conservative voting is more likely among members from higher-income, largely white districts. Realignment has resulted in Democrats representing urban, lower-income, heavily non-white districts, while Republicans are more likely to come from suburban-rural, more affluent, white districts. Perhaps most important, the percentage of districts with a substantial proportion of non-whites is steadily increasing in the United States. The analysis will focus primarily on changes since the 1960s.

Diverging Parties: Realignment, Social Change, and Political Polarization

Mariani, Mack

Stonecash, Jeff

Westview Press

The industrial revolution was the single most important development in human history over the past three centuries, and it continues to shape the contemporary world. With new methods and organizations for producing goods, industrialization altered where people live, how they play, and even how they define political issues. By exploring the ways the industrial revolution reshaped world history, this book offers a unique look into the international factors that started the industrial revolution and its global spread and impact.

Maisel, L. Sandy

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Brewer, Mark D.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Brewer, Mark D.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Brewer, Mark D.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Polarization and the Politics of Personal Responsibility

Polarization and the Politics of Personal Responsibility

The Parties Respond: Changes in American Parties and Campaigns (Transforming American Politics)

Party Images in the American Electorate

Party Images in the American Electorate

Dynamics of American Political Parties

Dynamics of American Political Parties

Parties and Elections in America: The Electoral Process

Diverging Parties: Realignment, Social Change, and Political Polarization

The Parties Respond: Changes in American Parties and Campaigns (Transforming American Politics)