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9780190220846

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Using sophisticated analyses of historical and contemporary reform efforts in the states, Masket demonstrates that parties are not hapless victims of legal restrictions placed on their activities but resourceful and adaptive networks that remain essential instruments of American democracy. --Thomas E. Mann, Senior Fellow, Governance Studies, Brookings Institution How and why does the American political world sort itself into two distinct parties? This book is a must read for anyone interested in that basic question. It has both theory and evidence. --David R. Mayhew, Sterling Professor of Political Science, Yale University Using careful mixed-method case studies at the state level, Masket arrives at the powerful conclusion that anti-party reforms do little damage to parties (which remain adaptable and tenacious), but do much to decrease transparency and accountability. The argument is skillfully woven and deftly executed: democracy suffers, parties do not. --Jessica Trounstine, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of California, Merced

A dissenting voice in the cacophony of advocates for party reform... offers a compelling argument that reform at best offers temporary respite, and that reformers might what to adapt our institutions to the parties instead. --Choice Using sophisticated analyses of historical and contemporary reform efforts in the states, Masket demonstrates that parties are not hapless victims of legal restrictions placed on their activities but resourceful and adaptive networks that remain essential instruments of American democracy. --Thomas E. Mann, Senior Fellow, Governance Studies, Brookings Institution How and why does the American political world sort itself into two distinct parties? This book is a must read for anyone interested in that basic question. It has both theory and evidence. --David R. Mayhew, Sterling Professor of Political Science, Yale University Using careful mixed-method case studies at the state level, Masket arrives at the powerful conclusion that anti-party reforms do little damage to parties (which remain adaptable and tenacious), but do much to decrease transparency and accountability. The argument is skillfully woven and deftly executed: democracy suffers, parties do not. --Jessica Trounstine, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of California, Merced

A dissenting voice in the cacophony of advocates for party reform... offers a compelling argument that reform at best offers temporary respite, and that reformers might what to adapt our institutions to the parties instead. --Choice Using sophisticated analyses of historical and contemporary reform efforts in the states, Masket demonstrates that parties are not hapless victims of legal restrictions placed on their activities but resourceful and adaptive networks that remain essential instruments of American democracy. --Thomas E. Mann, Senior Fellow, Governance Studies, Brookings Institution How and why does the American political world sort itself into two distinct parties? This book is a must read for anyone interested in that basic question. It has both theory and evidence. --David R. Mayhew, Sterling Professor of Political Science, Yale University Using careful mixed-method case studies at the state level, Masket arrives at the powerful conclusion that anti-party reforms do little damage to parties (which remain adaptable and tenacious), but do much to decrease transparency and accountability. The argument is skillfully woven and deftly executed: democracy suffers, parties do not. --Jessica Trounstine, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of California, Merced

A dissenting voice in the cacophony of advocates for party reform... offers a compelling argument that reform at best offers temporary respite, and that reformers might what to adapt our institutions to the parties instead. --Choice Using sophisticated analyses of historical and contemporary reform efforts in the states, Masket demonstrates that parties are not hapless victims of legal restrictions placed on their activities but resourceful and adaptive networks that remain essential instruments of American democracy. --Thomas E. Mann, Senior Fellow, Governance Studies, Brookings Institution How and why does the American political world sort itself into two distinct parties? This book is a must read for anyone interested in that basic question. It has both theory and evidence. --David R. Mayhew, Sterling Professor of Political Science, Yale University Using careful mixed-method case studies at the state level, Masket arrives at the powerful conclusion that anti-party reforms do little damage to parties (which remain adaptable and tenacious), but do much to decrease transparency and accountability. The argument is skillfully woven and deftly executed: democracy suffers, parties do not. --Jessica Trounstine, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of California, Merced Using sophisticated analyses of historical and contemporary reform efforts in the states, Masket demonstrates that parties are not hapless victims of legal restrictions placed on their activities but resourceful and adaptive networks that remain essential instruments of American democracy. --Thomas E. Mann, Senior Fellow, Governance Studies, Brookings Institution How and why does the American political world sort itself into two distinct parties? This book is a must read for anyone interested in that basic question. It has both theory and evidence. --David R. Mayhew, Sterling Professor of Political Science, Yale University Using careful mixed-method case studies at the state level, Masket arrives at the powerful conclusion that anti-party reforms do little damage to parties (which remain adaptable and tenacious), but do much to decrease transparency and accountability. The argument is skillfully woven and deftly executed: democracy suffers, parties do not. --Jessica Trounstine, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of California, Merced

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Seth Masket is associate professor and chair of the Department of Political Science at the University of Denver. His research and teaching focus on party nominations, state legislatures, campaigns and elections, and social networks. He is the author of No Middle Ground: How Informal Party Organizations Control Nominations and Polarize Legislatures. He is a founding contributor to the Vox.com blog ""Mischiefs of Faction"" and writes a weekly column for Pacific Standard.

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