A profile of the American electorate: partisan behavior and the need for reform
In: ProQuest Ebook Central
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