Primary Elections in the United States

Provides the most comprehensive empirical evaluation of primaries, demonstrating their importance in the US political system.

Shigeo Hirano (Author), James M. Snyder, Jr (Author)

9781107080591, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 12 September 2019

358 pages, 95 b/w illus.
23.5 x 15.7 x 2.3 cm, 0.64 kg

'Hirano and Snyder's Primary Elections in the United States presents the most comprehensive, theoretically informed, and empirically rich analysis of the origins and consequences of primary elections yet attempted. It is a fundamental contribution to the literature on American party politics and will be the go-to source for anyone interested in learning how primaries have affected representation in the US.' Gary Jacobson, University of California, San Diego

The direct primary stands as one of the most significant and distinctive political reforms of the Progressive era in American history. In this book, the authors provide the most comprehensive treatment available on the topic and utilize new data on election outcomes, candidate backgrounds, incumbent performance and behavior, newspaper endorsements, and voters' preferences. They begin by studying whether primary elections have achieved the goals set by progressive reformers when they were first introduced over a century ago. They then evaluate the key roles these elections have played in the US electoral systems, such as injecting electoral competition into the regions that are dominated by one of the two major parties, helping select relatively qualified candidates for office, and, in some cases, holding incumbents accountable for their performance. They conclude with studying the degree to which primaries are responsible for the current, highly polarized environment. Anyone interested in US primary elections, US political history, or electoral institutions more generally should read this book.

1. More democracy
2. One-party dominance, 1880 to 1950
3. Introduction of primaries and electoral competition, 1892 to 1950
4. Primaries and party loyalty
5. Primaries and the qualifications of nominees
6. Voting behavior and primary elections, 1892 to 1950
7. Primaries in a changing electoral environment, 1950 to 2016
8. Primaries and candidate selection in the modern era
9. Voting behavior and primary elections, 1950 to 2016
10. Primaries and accountability in the modern era
11. Primaries and polarization
12. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Election law [LNDS], Political structures: democracy [JPHV], Elections & referenda [JPHF], Politics & government [JP], History of the Americas [HBJK]