Combining existing research with novel data from US presidential archives, this book shows that presidents make policy by largely ignoring the views of most citizens in favor of affluent and well-connected political insiders. It is suitable for those interested in US politics, public opinion, democratic theory, and more.
Explaining Political Divisions and When They Matter
The book provides a nuanced evaluation of partisan animosity's impact on American democracy, particularly from 2019 to 2021. It argues that while strong partisanship shapes political behaviors, its effects are conditional, being most potent when politicians deliver clear messages and when issues lack personal stakes. The authors contend that although partisan hostility has harmed US politics by politicizing non-political matters and hindering compromise, it is not an existential threat. Ultimately, the future of democracy hinges more on political leaders' actions than on voter sentiments.
Fifty years after the passage of Title IX, the institutions that govern college sports undermine initiatives for advancing gender equality. Sex-based segregation, androcentric organizational cultures, and overbearing market incentives prevent policy change. These institutional barriers can sideline any marginalized group from achieving equality.
Experimental political science has changed. In two short decades, it evolved from an emergent method to an accepted method to a primary method. This book charts the transformation and provides cutting-edge guidance on new methods and applications across a range of social science topics.
"Generations of political scientists argue that American politics needs strong, cohesive parties to function effectively. Yet more recently, many worry that such vigorous partisan sentiments--most notably, the rising hostility between the parties--can damage democracy, as partisans willingly undermine the system if it means stopping their disliked opponents. Is this the case? This book offers a nuanced evaluation of when and how partisan animosity matters in today's highly charged--but fluid--political environment, using data from two of the most tumultuous years in recent American history, 2019 to 2021. The authors show that partisan animus powerfully shapes political behaviors, but its effects are conditional, not constant. They develop a theory of the conditions that make partisan animosity most salient, and show that, in the absence of these, other thought processes take over. While partisan animosity makes democratic functioning more difficult (e.g., by politicizing seemingly non-political issues, undermining compromise), it does not inevitably lead to democratic erosion (e.g., the rejection of foundational democratic norms or the endorsement of violence). Partisan hostility has degraded American democracy, but it does not in itself represent an existential threat. The future of democracy depends on how politicians respond to the rise of animosity"--