A Profile of the American Electorate: Partisan Behavior and the Need for Reform

Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Dedication -- Table of Contents -- List of Illustrations -- Acknowledgments -- 1 Introduction: Some Politics Change, Some Voters Stay the Same -- What This Book Is Not About, and Other Short comings -- A Half-Century of Dramatic Political Changes -- Southern Political Realignment -- Plan, Intended Audiences, and Philosophy of This Book -- Notes -- References -- 2 Genesis: How Do People Become Liberals and Conservatives? -- Major Source #1: Political Socialization -- Major Source #2: Genetics -- Concluding Reflections: Creating a Political Identity -- Notes -- References -- 3 Voter Choice: The Decision Is Simple, but Is It Predetermined? -- A Simplistic Guide to the Three Models of Voting Behavior -- The Columbia Model -- The Michigan Model -- The Rational Choice Model -- How Applicable Are These Models to Voting in the 21st Century? -- Who Are the Independents and Swing Voters? -- Where Do Campaigns Fit in Voter Decision Making? -- Concluding Reflections: Partisans and Campaigns -- Notes -- References -- 4 Political Knowledge: What Facts Do Voters Need to Know? -- The Importance of a Well-Informed Citizenry -- Data Collection and Results on Political Recall Knowledge -- Three Arguments Combating the Stereotype of Americans Being Politically Stupid -- Argument #1: The Sources of Political Information Are Imperfect -- Argument #2: On-LineProcessing and Information Shortcuts Allow Citizens to Act as if They Are Fully Info rmed -- Argument #3: Measuring Political Knowledge Is Imperfect -- Concluding Reflections: Is the Importance of Political Knowledge Within the Electorate Exaggerated? -- Notes -- References -- 5 Voter Turnout: Institutional Barriers and Group Motivations -- The Rationality of Voting -- Why Is U.S. Voter Turnout Low? -- Major Reason #1: Institutional Characteristics

"A Profile of the American Electorate takes an extensive look at the political foundations and behaviors of citizens, yesterday and today. Presenting decades of data on voter choice, voter turnout, and public opinion in a way that is clear and accessible for students of political science, the book uniquely emphasizes the importance of voting, socialization, and reform measures to enhance good citizenship. It explores how Americans become conservative or liberal, why some vote and others stay home, their knowledge of politics, how polarized the public has become, and the complex motivations behind their vote choices"--

Some politics change, some voters stay the same -- Genesis : how do people become liberals and conservatives? -- Voter choice : the decision is simple, but is it predetermined? -- Political knowledge : what facts do voters need to know? -- Voter turnout : institutional barriers and group motivations -- Polarization : how bad is it, and is it growing? -- Exploring solutions : policy answers to a better citizenry -- Renewing American citizenship.