Rowman & Littlefield Publishers The State of the Parties: The Changing Role of Contemporary American Parties

Continuing a three-decade tradition, The State of the Parties 7th edition brings together leading experts to evaluate change and continuity in American electoral politics. Political parties in America have never been more contentious and divided than they are right now. Even splits within the parties themselves have the power to elevate relatively unknown candidates to power and topple established incumbents. With sections devoted to polarization and the electorate, polarization and political elites, tea party politics, super PACS, and partisan resources and partisan activities, the contributors survey the American political landscape. They pay special attention to polarization between and within the parties in the aftermath of the 2012 election, demographic changes to America's political parties, the effects of new media and campaign finance laws on national and local electoral results, the Tea Party's rise and, as always, the implications of all these factors on future policymaking and electoral prospects. The State of the Parties 7th edition offers an indispensable guide to American politics for scholars, students, and practitioners. Contributions by: Alan Abramowitz, Paul A. Beck, Michael John Burton, Edward G. Carmines, Daniel J. Coffey, William F. Connelly, Jr., Meredith Dost, Diana Dwyre, Michael J. Ensley, Peter L. Francia, Erik Heidemann,,Shannon Jenkins, Caitlin E. Jewitt, David C. Kimball, Robin Kolodny, Thad Kousser, David B. Magleby, Seth Masket, William G. Mayer, Eric McGhee, William J. Miller, Jonathan S. Morris, Ronald Rapoport, Douglas D. Roscoe, Dante Scala, Daniel M. Shea, Boris Shor, Walter Stone, Jeffrey M. Stonecash, Eric C. Vorst, Michael W. Wagner Review Polarization in U.S. politics is typically characterized as red versus blue states, yet political parties in the U.S. have never been more divided and contentious. The aftermath of the 2012 presidential election speaks to the chasm that separates the two parties. The State of the Parties, edited by Green, Coffey, and Cohen, highlights that those divisions are only part of the dynamic shaping the American political landscape. Identifying both party change and continuity, this edition's prominent and emerging scholars examine the 'state of parties, ' polarization of the electorate, polarization of the political elites, Tea Party politics, Super PACs and partisan resources, and partisan activities. The contributors' well-documented analyses persuasively illustrate that polarization between the parties is rooted deep within the electorate, polarization is intense among the party elites, the Republican Party has serious internal divisions, and the Tea Party will remain a force within the GOP. The research confirms that American political parties, central to all aspects of politics in a functioning democracy, are vibrant and dynamic institutions. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduate, graduate, research, and professional collections.--CHOICE I always look forward to the new edition of The State of the Parties! It offers those of us who study and teach about party politics the most up-to-date research from a wide range of perspectives and by distinguished parties scholars.--Marjorie R. Hershey, Indiana University About the Author John C. Green is Distinguished Professor of Political Science and director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at The University of Akron. Daniel J. Coffey is assistant professor of political science at The University of Akron and a fellow in the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics. He has published in State Politics and Policy Quarterly. He studies political parties, public opinion, state and local politics, campaigns and elections, and research methods. David B. Cohen is professor of political science and fellow in the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at The University of Akron.