Trading Places: The Two Parties in the Electorate From 1975-2004

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The book explores how elite-level repositioning has contributed to ideological sorting among American voters, leading to increased polarization. It highlights the shift in voting behavior influenced by cultural issues, which have begun to overshadow traditional economic divides. Additionally, the socio-cultural dynamics of U.S. House districts have evolved, with parties effectively swapping their bases. The author presents a framework detailing how politicians engage with their activist bases and tracks the ideological journeys of key political figures, illustrating the enduring changes that have intensified polarization in American politics.