From Many Divides, One? The Polarization and Nationalization of American State Party Platforms, 1918-2017

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Hopkins ◽  
Eric Schickler ◽  
David Azizi
2010 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 245-275
Author(s):  
Shannon L. Bridgmon

Political parties have many purposes, but their primary goal is to capture elected office (Aldrich 1995). They also serve as quasi-public organizations that mobilize the electorate and organize political debate. Previous research (Budge and Farlie 1977, 1983; Petrocik 1981, 1996) suggests that parties will emphasize issues that provide them an electoral or policy advantage. However, little exists to determine if this pattern extends to state and regional politics. This study measures the levels of importance southern political parties attach to various issues, as expressed through each state party’s platform. State party platforms of southern states in effect during 2009 will serve as the data for this study. After determining levels of issue salience variations among and within southern states, this study confirms that parties emphasize issues to maximize electoral prospects.


1964 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 550-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard I. Hofferbert

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document