The American political party system: a reference handbook

Background and history

Problems, controversies, and solutions

Perspectives

Profiles

Data and documents

Resources

Chronology.

1. BACKGROUND AND HISTORY :

Introduction

The Rise of National Parties

Party Principles

One-Party Rule

The Jacksonian Transformative Election and Period, 1828-1860 : Extension of the States; The Rise of the Mass Party; The Party Spoils System; Democratic Superiority; The Know Nothings

The Transformative Election of Lincoln and the Parties, 1854-1896 : Developing Political Parties and the Modern Two-Party System

The Transformative Election of McKinley and the Progressive Era, 1896-1932 : Major-Party Developments: The Republicans; Major-Party Developments: The Democrats

The Transformative Election of FDR, 1932-1980 : FDR and the New Deal Democrats; Democratic Party Developments Post-World War II; Conservatives Ascendant; Parity and Polarization

Conclusion

References.

2. PROBLEMS, CONTROVERSIES, AND SOLUTIONS :

Introduction

The Voters : Who Should Be Allowed to Vote?; The Declining Importance of Party Identification; Coalitions of Voting Blocs and Shifts in Voter Allegiance; Ideological Purity of the Two Major Parties-The Dichotomy of Conservative Republicans versus Liberal Democrats; Ideology versus Pragmatism in Primary and General Elections; The Need to Play to a Party's Base versus Outreach and Diversity of Coalitions

The Candidates : The Candidate Selection Process; The Establishment versus Outsider Candidates

The Campaigns : The Length of Presidential Campaigns; The Complexity of National, State, and Local Elections; The Cost of Campaigns; Citizens United and Campaign Finance Reform; Overturning Citizens United; National Laws That May Affect the Length and Cost of Elections

The States : The 50 State Party Systems; States' Rules on Ballot Access; Caucuses and Conventions; The Primary Election System: Open or Closed? Binding or Preferential?; Replacing Winner-Take-All Primaries or the Electoral College; Options for Reform; Regional Primaries; The Geographical Split of the Two Major Parties and Competitive Swing States; Effects of Gerrymandered Districts

The Parties : The Parties versus PACs and Super-PACs; Strengthening the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee; Structural Barriers to Minority (Third) Parties; Changing the American Political Culture

The Media : The Media Focus on the Horse Race versus the Issues and Aspects of Electoral Campaigns; Congressional Law to Regulate Media and Poll Use in Elections; Changing How the Media Covers Elections

References.

3. PERSPECTIVES :

Introduction

Why I Am a Democratic Activist

Why I Became a Republican Party Activist

Donald Trump's Proposed Immigration Policies

Structural Barriers or Impediments to Third-Party Candidates

Libertarians: Philosophical Activism

Political Activism: The Nonpartisan Way

Party Identification and Core Political Principles

Perspectives on Homeland Security

The Republican party: 2016 going forward

The Trump factor in American politics: teaching Trump through the lens of practical politics

4. PROFILES :

Introduction

Organizations

People

5. DATA AND DOCUMENTS :

Introduction

Data

Documents

6. RESOURCES

7. CHRONOLOGY.

1. BACKGROUND AND HISTORY :

Introduction

The Rise of National Parties

Party Principles

One-Party Rule

The Jacksonian Transformative Election and Period, 1828-1860 : Extension of the States; The Rise of the Mass Party; The Party Spoils System; Democratic Superiority; The Know Nothings

The Transformative Election of Lincoln and the Parties, 1854-1896 : Developing Political Parties and the Modern Two-Party System

The Transformative Election of McKinley and the Progressive Era, 1896-1932 : Major-Party Developments: The Republicans; Major-Party Developments: The Democrats

The Transformative Election of FDR, 1932-1980 : FDR and the New Deal Democrats; Democratic Party Developments Post-World War II; Conservatives Ascendant; Parity and Polarization

Conclusion

References.

2. PROBLEMS, CONTROVERSIES, AND SOLUTIONS :

Introduction

The Voters : Who Should Be Allowed to Vote?; The Declining Importance of Party Identification; Coalitions of Voting Blocs and Shifts in Voter Allegiance; Ideological Purity of the Two Major Parties-The Dichotomy of Conservative Republicans versus Liberal Democrats; Ideology versus Pragmatism in Primary and General Elections; The Need to Play to a Party's Base versus Outreach and Diversity of Coalitions

The Candidates : The Candidate Selection Process; The Establishment versus Outsider Candidates

The Campaigns : The Length of Presidential Campaigns; The Complexity of National, State, and Local Elections; The Cost of Campaigns; Citizens United and Campaign Finance Reform; Overturning Citizens United; National Laws That May Affect the Length and Cost of Elections

The States : The 50 State Party Systems; States' Rules on Ballot Access; Caucuses and Conventions; The Primary Election System: Open or Closed? Binding or Preferential?; Replacing Winner-Take-All Primaries or the Electoral College; Options for Reform; Regional Primaries; The Geographical Split of the Two Major Parties and Competitive Swing States; Effects of Gerrymandered Districts

The Parties : The Parties versus PACs and Super-PACs; Strengthening the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee; Structural Barriers to Minority (Third) Parties; Changing the American Political Culture

The Media : The Media Focus on the Horse Race versus the Issues and Aspects of Electoral Campaigns; Congressional Law to Regulate Media and Poll Use in Elections; Changing How the Media Covers Elections

References.

3. PERSPECTIVES :

Introduction

Why I Am a Democratic Activist

Why I Became a Republican Party Activist

Donald Trump's Proposed Immigration Policies

Structural Barriers or Impediments to Third-Party Candidates

Libertarians: Philosophical Activism

Political Activism: The Nonpartisan Way

Party Identification and Core Political Principles

Perspectives on Homeland Security

The Republican party: 2016 going forward

The Trump factor in American politics: teaching Trump through the lens of practical politics

4. PROFILES :

Introduction

Organizations

People

5. DATA AND DOCUMENTS :

Introduction

Data

Documents

6. RESOURCES

7. CHRONOLOGY.