The American Direct Primary: Party Institutionalization and Transformation in the North

by Alan Ware

Overview

This is the first major study of the origins of direct primary elections in the U.S. since the 1920s. It rejects the widely held view that primaries resulted from a conflict between anti-party reformers and so-called party "regulars." Instead, it shows that the direct primary was the result of an attempt, starting in the late 1880s, by mainstream party politicians to subject their previously informal procedures to formal rules. Politicians turned to the direct primary because it proved impossible to make effective changes to the caucus-convention system of nominating candidates.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521109727
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	04/30/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)
Lexile:	1560L (what's this?)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction; Part I. How the Direct Primary Arose: 2. The catalytic effect of ballot reform; 3. Legal control of party activity; 4. The spread of direct nominations; Part II. Why the Direct Primary was Introduced: 5. Reformers versus urban machines?; 6. The impact of party competition; 7. Explaining an 'irrational' reform; Part III. What Happened Next?: 8. Reaction and aftermath.

Editorial Reviews

"...a very important book...a nuanced, informative study that should be read by all those interested in American political parties, American political development, the Progressive era, and comparative parties." Political Science Quarterly

"A must-read for those interested in American parties and elections. Essential." Choice

From the Publisher