Local Elections and the Politics of Small-Scale Democracy

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Local Government, Elections, Reference & Language, Law
Cover of the book Local Elections and the Politics of Small-Scale Democracy by Zachary Callen, J. Eric Oliver, Shang E. Ha, Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Zachary Callen, J. Eric Oliver, Shang E. Ha ISBN: 9781400842544
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: July 22, 2012
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author: Zachary Callen, J. Eric Oliver, Shang E. Ha
ISBN: 9781400842544
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: July 22, 2012
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

Local government is the hidden leviathan of American politics: it accounts for nearly a tenth of gross domestic product, it collects nearly as much in taxes as the federal government, and its decisions have an enormous impact on Americans' daily lives. Yet political scientists have few explanations for how people vote in local elections, particularly in the smaller cities, towns, and suburbs where most Americans live. Drawing on a wide variety of data sources and case studies, this book offers the first comprehensive analysis of electoral politics in America's municipalities.

Arguing that current explanations of voting behavior are ill suited for most local contests, Eric Oliver puts forward a new theory that highlights the crucial differences between local, state, and national democracies. Being small in size, limited in power, and largely unbiased in distributing their resources, local governments are "managerial democracies" with a distinct style of electoral politics. Instead of hinging on the partisanship, ideology, and group appeals that define national and state elections, local elections are based on the custodial performance of civic-oriented leaders and on their personal connections to voters with similarly deep community ties. Explaining not only the dynamics of local elections, Oliver's findings also upend many long-held assumptions about community power and local governance, including the importance of voter turnout and the possibilities for grassroots political change.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Local government is the hidden leviathan of American politics: it accounts for nearly a tenth of gross domestic product, it collects nearly as much in taxes as the federal government, and its decisions have an enormous impact on Americans' daily lives. Yet political scientists have few explanations for how people vote in local elections, particularly in the smaller cities, towns, and suburbs where most Americans live. Drawing on a wide variety of data sources and case studies, this book offers the first comprehensive analysis of electoral politics in America's municipalities.

Arguing that current explanations of voting behavior are ill suited for most local contests, Eric Oliver puts forward a new theory that highlights the crucial differences between local, state, and national democracies. Being small in size, limited in power, and largely unbiased in distributing their resources, local governments are "managerial democracies" with a distinct style of electoral politics. Instead of hinging on the partisanship, ideology, and group appeals that define national and state elections, local elections are based on the custodial performance of civic-oriented leaders and on their personal connections to voters with similarly deep community ties. Explaining not only the dynamics of local elections, Oliver's findings also upend many long-held assumptions about community power and local governance, including the importance of voter turnout and the possibilities for grassroots political change.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book The Butterfly Defect by Zachary Callen, J. Eric Oliver, Shang E. Ha
Cover of the book The State of Speech by Zachary Callen, J. Eric Oliver, Shang E. Ha
Cover of the book Straight Talk on Trade by Zachary Callen, J. Eric Oliver, Shang E. Ha
Cover of the book Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 6 by Zachary Callen, J. Eric Oliver, Shang E. Ha
Cover of the book Nart Sagas by Zachary Callen, J. Eric Oliver, Shang E. Ha
Cover of the book Life on Mars by Zachary Callen, J. Eric Oliver, Shang E. Ha
Cover of the book Jesus in the Talmud by Zachary Callen, J. Eric Oliver, Shang E. Ha
Cover of the book Exoplanet Atmospheres by Zachary Callen, J. Eric Oliver, Shang E. Ha
Cover of the book The Bankers' New Clothes by Zachary Callen, J. Eric Oliver, Shang E. Ha
Cover of the book Giacomo Puccini and His World by Zachary Callen, J. Eric Oliver, Shang E. Ha
Cover of the book Number-Crunching by Zachary Callen, J. Eric Oliver, Shang E. Ha
Cover of the book Europe's Orphan by Zachary Callen, J. Eric Oliver, Shang E. Ha
Cover of the book Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 3 by Zachary Callen, J. Eric Oliver, Shang E. Ha
Cover of the book Why Not Kill Them All? by Zachary Callen, J. Eric Oliver, Shang E. Ha
Cover of the book Caught by Zachary Callen, J. Eric Oliver, Shang E. Ha
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy