Political Parties Matter: Realignment and the Return of Partisan Voting - Tapa dura

A fresh and compelling view on partisan change... Creative and insightful. - Harold W. Stanley, Southern Methodist University An excellent and useful contribution to the study of political parties, particularly to the debate about realignment. The data analysis is especially thought-provoking."" - Arthur Paulson, Southern Connecticut University

After years of decline, why has party attachment become a strong force once again in U.S. politics? Jeffrey Stonecash argues that the recent resurgence of partisanship is but the latest chapter in a larger story of party realignment - a story that reaffirms the centrality of political parties. Stonecash marshals rich data from more than a century of elections to highlight unexpected patterns of voting behavior with key significance today. As party constituencies continue to reorganize, he contends convincingly, the U. S. will face the strengthening of party attachments and growing political polarization.