Politics, Parties, and Elections in America

Rating:
Summary: Solid Background Book on Political Parties and Elections
Review: Bibby has written a solid book on political parties, their function in current elections and how their role has changed over time.

Political parties used to be much more of a central focus in American elections. Ususlly, political registration was a sure indicator for election outcomes and the blessing of the local party a prerequisite for a shot at political office. Not anymore. Reforms and changes in the 1970s eviscerated political parties as dominant actors in the process. They are still a force to be reckoned with, but in many locals less important than personal political organizations that have sprung up around candidate focused electoral machines.

Bibby looks at this transformation as a chronicler and explains the changes as well as current practices. A student of political parties and their role will find this book useful.

I'm teaching a course in elective politics at the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Center of Government. This is a book I considered assigning for required reading for the course and is used by some other teachers in the field at colleges and universities around the country. I chose not to list the book because my course is focused on the art and practices of actually getting elected, which Bibby's book is not.

That's not to say this book doesn't have it's place. It's just not meant to be a guide to getting elected or to working within your own local political party. For an academic look at the subject, it will do the job.