Contribution to Book
Patterns in American Elections
The Oxford Handbook of American Political Development
(2016)
Abstract
On U.S. electoral history, a good deal of research and experience has accrued since the ‘realignments’ interpretation kicked in half a century ago. Illuminating work has come from political science, economics, sociology, and history. Perspectives on other countries have weighed in. New concepts and measures have been introduced. Today, the American record looks quite different than it did in the 1960s. In a discussion of pattern and cause, six topics need to be highlighted: economic conditions, national security crises, race, long-term parity between the parties, short-term homeostasis, and personal incumbency advantage.
Keywords
- Elections,
- Incumbency,
- Wars,
- Economics,
- Race,
- New Deal era,
- Realignments,
- Eras,
- Midterms
Disciplines
Publication Date
August 25, 2016
Editor
Richard Valelly, Suzanne Mettler, and Robert C. Lieberman
Publisher
Oxford University Press
DOI
10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199697915.013.002
Citation Information
David R. Mayhew. "Patterns in American Elections" The Oxford Handbook of American Political Development (2016) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/david-mayhew/2/