Christopher Baylor – författare
Visar alla böcker från författaren Christopher Baylor. Handla med fri frakt och snabb leverans.
2 produkter
2 produkter
926 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
The United States has scores of potential issues and ideologies but only two major political parties. How parties respond to competing demands for their attention is therefore central to American democracy. First to the Party argues that organized groups set party agendas by invading party nominations to support candidates committed to their interests. Where the nominees then go, the parties also go.Using in-depth archival research and interviews with activists, Christopher Baylor applies this proposition to the two most important party transformations of the twentieth century: the Democratic Party's embrace of civil rights in the 1940s and 50s, and the Republican Party's embrace of cultural conservatism in the 1980s. The choices made by the parties in these circumstances were less a response to candidates or general electoral pressures than to activist and group influences on nominations. Party change is ultimately rooted in group change, which in turn is ultimately rooted in the coalitional and organizational challenges confronting groups. Baylor surveys the factors that determine whether a coalition is viable, including issue overlap, the approval of their own members and staff, and the ability to reach new audiences. Whether groups succeed in transforming parties depends largely on choosing the right allies and adjusting accordingly.In moments of profound party change, the prevailing political forces come to light. With its fine-grained analysis of major party change, First to the Party offers new insight into the classic issues confronting parties, representation, and democracy.
337 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
The Case Against Political Parties questions the widespread belief that political parties are essential to democracy. This open access book argues that parties often undermine rational deliberation, fair representation, and government accountability.While parties offer voters simplified choices, they also reward loyalty over truth, sideline majority preferences, and empower narrow interest groups. They’ve helped some marginalized communities while neglecting others.Drawing on political theory, U.S. history, and psychology, Chris Baylor explores how nonpartisan alternatives have worked at the local, state, and national levels. He examines what parties do well, where they fall short, and what a healthier democratic system might look like if we dared to imagine one.Advance Praise:“Chris Baylor has done a great service by systematically laying out the case against parties. Readers will appreciate this book’s clarity of argumentation, logical organization, and realistic consideration of alternatives. This book will stimulate fruitful debate in the classroom, in the discipline, and beyond.”— Frances Lee, Professor of Politics and Public Affairs, Princeton University“Chris Baylor’s insightful work is an excellent introduction to the pros and cons of political parties. It also shows these venerable institutions may often do more harm than good. Even if we cannot do without them entirely, it may be desirable to curb their influence in various ways.”— Ilya Somin, Professor of Law, George Mason University