Affluence, Austerity and Electoral Change in Britain

Paul Whiteley is Professor of Government at the University of Essex. Harold D. Clarke is Ashbel Smith Professor in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences at the University of Texas, Dallas and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Government at the University of Essex. David Sanders is Professor of Government at the University of Essex. Marianne C. Stewart is Professor in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences at the University of Texas, Dallas.

'More than a sequel to the two highly regarded previous British Election Study volumes on the 2001 and 2005 campaigns, this book reinforces earlier evidence on the importance of valence issues with new material from the 2010 elections. Now the authors add a dynamic element, tracking the ebb and flow of party vote shares across elections - along with detailed new evidence on the campaign dynamics in 2010. Whiteley and his colleagues produce an impressive holistic model to explain how contemporary electoral democracy works in Britain and how it has been changing.' Russell J. Dalton, University of California, Irvine

• 1. The politics of affluence and austerity; 2. Tony's politics: prosperity and performance; 3. Gordon's politics: economic crisis and political change; 4. 'I agree with Nick': campaigning for change in 2010; 5. Making political choices: 2010; 6. Bearish Britain: the Coalition in power; 7. Choosing how to choose: the AV ballot referendum; 8. Performance politics and subjective well-being; 9. Valence politics, austerity policies and electoral prospects; Appendix A. Structure of the 2010 British Election Study; Appendix B. Measurement.