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Political Behavior of the American Electorate
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Political Behavior of the American Electorate

16th Edition

Other Titles in:
Elections

CQ Press
In this 16th edition of Political Behavior of the American Electorate, noted authors Elizabeth Theiss-Morse and Michael Wagner again continue the tradition of Flanigan and Zingale, using American National Election Study data to provide a thorough analysis of the 2024 elections and of American political behavior more generally. The authors explore get-out-the-vote efforts and the reasons people voted the way they did, as well as the nature and impact of partisanship, issues, and news media coverage in 2024—all with an eye toward understanding the trends that led up to the historic results.
 
Acknowledgments
 
Introduction
 
Chapter 1: Democratic Beliefs and American Democracy
Are Elections Free and Fair?

 
Attitudes Toward Democracy

 
Trust in Government

 
Maintaining a Democracy

 
Study Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
Internet Resources

 
Notes

 
 
Chapter 2: Electoral Context and Strategy
The Fundamentals

 
The Rules of the Game

 
Strategy

 
The Unexpected

 
Understanding Fundamentals and Winning Elections

 
Study Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
Notes

 
 
Chapter 3: Turnout and Participation in Elections
Measuring Turnout in American Elections

 
Institutional Impediments to Turnout

 
Individual-level Explanations of Turnout

 
Campaign Activity and Mobilization in American Elections

 
Study Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
Internet Resources

 
Notes

 
 
Chapter 4: Unconventional Participation and Social Identity
Unconventional Participation

 
Explaining Unconventional Participation

 
The Use of Violence to Achieve Political Ends

 
Unconventional Participation and Democracy

 
Study Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
Internet Resources

 
Notes

 
 
Chapter 5: Partisanship and Party Change
Party Loyalty and Identification

 
Voting Behavior

 
Partisans, Realignment, and Party Systems

 
Partisan Change

 
The Future of Parties and Partisanship

 
Study Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
Notes

 
 
Chapter 6: Public Opinion and Ideology
The Measurement of Public Opinion

 
Public Opinion on Issues

 
Political Ideology

 
Public Opinion and Political Leadership

 
Study Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
Internet Resources

 
Notes

 
 
Chapter 7: Political Communication and the Mass Media
The News Media: Functions, Types, and Users

 
Media Bias and Audience Bias

 
The News, the Public Agenda, and Partisan Polarization

 
Social Media and Contemporary Politics

 
Political Communication and Attitude Change in Political Campaigns

 
Conclusion

 
Study Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
Internet Resources

 
Notes

 
 
Chapter 8: Vote Choice and Electoral Decisions
Long-Term Determinants of Presidential Vote Choice

 
Short-Term Determinants of Presidential Vote Choice

 
The Popular Vote and the Electoral College

 
Vote Choice in Other Types of Elections

 
The Meaning of an Election

 
Study Questions

 
Suggested Readings

 
Internet Resources

 
Notes

 
 
Appendix: Survey Research Methods

Elizabeth A. Theiss-Morse

Elizabeth Theiss-Morse is the Willa Cather Professor of Political Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is the author of several award-winning books including Who Counts as an American?, Stealth Democracy, Congress as Public Enemy, and With Malice Toward Some. More About Author

Michael W. Wagner

Michael W. Wagner is assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. There, he is also the Louis A. Maier Faculty Development Fellow and holds an affiliated position in the Department of Political Science. He has won awards for his teaching and scholarship in the area of political communication in American politics. More About Author