POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT · POLITICAL PARTIES
Martin P. Wattenberg
Also known as: Martin Wattenberg, Martin R. Wattenberg
ONE of the most important measures of the nature of party-based democracy is public attachment to political parties.
— from Parties without partisans
Most acclaimed
Where Have All the Voters Gone?
2002
American elections are complex and anything but user friendly, and with the weakening of political parties in recent decades, the high level of complexity has become ever more difficult for many citizens to navigate, which has led to a decline in voter turnout. Low turnout biases election results: turnout decline has been highest among the types of people who most need to have electoral choices simplified for them through a strong party system--those with the least education, political knowledge, and life experience. [back cover].
Is voting for young people?
"In 2016, Hillary Clinton managed to win the Democratic nomination despite losing young voters to Bernie Sanders by a margin of 73 to 26 percent. The fact that senior citizens were four times more likely to vote in the primaries than young people enabled her to survive her lack of youth appeal. But in the general election, Clinton's problems with young people turned into her Achilles heel. Young people failed to come out to vote as much as she needed, or to support her in sufficient numbers when they did vote. What will happen in 2020, another history-making election? Already in late-2019, journalists are referring to the generation gap as "the most important divide among Democratic voters." Is Voting for Young People? explores the reasons why young people are less likely to follow politics and vote in the United States (as well as in many other established democracies) no matter who the candidates are, or what the issues may be. This brief, accessible, and provocative book suggests ways of changing that. For the first time since its original publication in 2006, each chapter has been thoroughly updated to reflect the most recent available data. New to the Fifth Edition For the first time since its original 2006 publication, the entire text has been updated with the most recent available data and analysis. A new chapter has been added--Young People and Politics in the Trump Era. New chapter opening vignettes illustrate one of the key points in each chapter"--
Government in America
Politics and government matter. That is the single most important message of this book. As you will see throughout this book, those who participate in the political process are more likely to benefit from government programs and policies. It is our hope that after reading this book, you will be persuaded that paying attention to politics and government is important. Government has a substantial impact on all our lives. But it is also true that we have the opportunity to have a substantial impact on government. Learn how American politics affect public policy. Adopting a public policy approach to American politics, Government in America looks at government's impact on the daily lives of Americans. This text introduces the main features of American politics and asks "how should we govern?" and "what should government do?" In looking at the evolving nature of our democracy and the changing scope of our government, Government in America helps students see that politics drives what government can -- or cannot -- do for the people. - Publisher.