Dynamics of Democracy

Designed for classroom use, this video offers a timely and cogent analysis of the November 1994 mid-term elections. Professionally produced and narrated, it combines a variety of charts, graphs, maps and other visuals with footage from original interviews featuring newly elected and outgoing members of Congress, e.g. Marjorie Margolies Mezvinsky (D-PA), who was defeated despite strong Presidential support. Two respected political scientists, Professor Peverill Squire of the University of Iowa, and Professor Stephen E. Frantzich of the U.S. Naval Academy, provide commentary and analysis. Both are Brown & Benchmark authors. Changing of the Guard investigates the reasons for the unprecedented success of the Republican effort in 1994. It examines and evaluates the relative importance of factors such as the unpopularity of the incumbent President, the Contract with America, the large number of open seats, and redistricting. In addition, the concluding section asks whether the November 1994 contest was a "critical election," reflecting a permanent realignment of the electorate, and discusses its possible policy implication.