Campaigns and Elections American Style (Transforming American Politics) - Softcover

Thurber, James A; Nelson, Candice J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0813348358 ISBN 13: 9780813348353

Publisher: Routledge, 2013

Synopsis

Dramatic changes in political institutions and behavior over the past three decades have underscored the dynamic nature of American politics, confronting political scientists with a new and pressing intellectual agenda. The pioneering work of early postwar scholars, while laying a firm empirical foundation for contemporary scholarship, failed to consider how American politics might change or recognize the forces that would make fundamental change inevitable. In reassessing the static interpretations fostered by these classic studies, political scientists are now examining the underlying dynamics that generate transformational change. Transforming American Politics is a series that brings together texts addressing four closely related aspects of change. A first concern is documenting and explaining recent changes in American politics―in institutions, processes, behavior, and policymaking. A second is reinterpreting classic studies and theories to provide a more accurate perspective on postwar politics. The series looks at historical change to identify recurring patterns of political transformation within and across the distinctive eras of American politics. Last and perhaps most important, the series presents new theories and interpretations that explain the dynamic processes at work and thus clarify the direction of contemporary politics. All of the books focus on the central theme of transformation―transformation in both the conduct of American politics and in the way we study and understand its many aspects.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

"Campaigns are big business, and this book tells candidates, students, and citizens how they are run in the twenty-first century. Two of the premier experts in American politics, James Thurber and Candice Nelson, have brought together a top-notch group of specialists in strategy, polling, advertising, new media, fieldwork, and fund-raising. This up-to-date volume is perfect for college courses in parties and elections."
Larry J. Sabato, University of Virginia, author of "The Year of Obama"
"Informative, comprehensive, and, most importantly, accessibleprovides an up-to-date, realistic view on the evolution of American electoral politics. Students will like this book and benefit from it."
Stephen J. Wayne, Georgetown University
With new and revised essays throughout, "Campaigns and Elections American Style" provides a real education in practical campaign politics. In the fourth edition, academics and campaign professionals explain how campaign themes and strategies are developed and communicated, the changes in campaign tactics as a result of changing technology, new techniques to target and mobilize voters, the evolving landscape of campaign finance and election laws, and the increasing diversity of the role of media in elections. Offering a unique and careful mix of Democrat and Republican, academic and practitioner, and male and female campaign perspectives, this volume scrutinizes national and local-level campaigns with special focus on the 2012 presidential and congressional elections.
Students, citizens, candidates, and campaign managers will learn not only how to win elections but also why it is imperative to do so in an ethical way. Perfect for a variety of courses in American government, this book is essential reading for political junkies of any stripe and serious students of campaigns and elections.
James A. Thurber is a Distinguished University Professor of Government and the Founder and Director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University in Washington, DC. Dr. Thurber is the author, coauthor, and editor of" Obama In Office, Rivals for Power: Presidential-Congressional Relations, Campaign Warriors: Political Consultants in Elections, Crowded Airways: Campaign Advertising in Elections, The Battle for Congress: Consultants, Candidates, and Voters, Congress and the Internet," as well as numerous articles on Congress, campaigns and elections, and interest groups and lobbying.
Candice J. Nelson is Professor and Chair of the Department of Government, and academic director of the Campaign Management Institute at American University. She is the author of "Grant Park: The Democratization of Presidential Elections: 1968-2008," coauthor of" Vital Signs: Perspective on the Health of American Campaigning, The Money Chase: Congressional Campaign Finance Reform," and "The Myth of the Independent Voter."
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About the Author:

James A. Thurber is a Distinguished University Professor of Government and the Founder and Director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University in Washington, DC. Dr. Thurber is the author, coauthor, and editor of Obama In Office, Rivals for Power: Presidential-Congressional Relations, Campaign Warriors: Political Consultants in Elections, Crowded Airways: Campaign Advertising in Elections, The Battle for Congress: Consultants, Candidates, and Voters, Congress and the Internet, as well as numerous articles on Congress, campaigns and elections, and interest groups and lobbying.

Candice J. Nelson is Professor and Chair of the Department of Government, and academic director of the Campaign Management Institute at American University. She is the author of Grant Park: The Democratization of Presidential Elections: 1968-2008, coauthor of Vital Signs: Perspective on the Health of American Campaigning, The Money Chase: Congressional Campaign Finance Reform, and The Myth of the Independent Voter.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0813348358
• ISBN 13: 9780813348353
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 4
• Number of pages: 354