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Not Invited to the Party demonstrates how the dominant political parties--the Democrats and Republicans--have co-opted the system to their advantage. James Bennett examines the history and array of laws, regulations, subsidies and programs that benefit the two major parties and discourage even the possibility of a serious challenge to the Democrat-Republican duopoly. The American Founders, as it has been generally forgotten, distrusted political parties. Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution are parties mentioned, much less given legal protection or privilege. This provocative book traces how by the end of the Civil War the Republicans and Democrats had guaranteed their dominance and subsequently influenced a range of policies developed to protect the duopoly. For example, Bennett examines how the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (as amended in 1974 and 1976), which was sold to the public as a nonpartisan act of good government reformism actually reinforced the dominance of the two parties. While focused primarily on the American experience, the book also considers the prevalence of two-party systems around the world (especially in emerging democracies) and the widespread contempt with which they are often viewed. Featuring incisive commentary on the 2008 election, and a foreword by third-party iconoclast, Ralph Nader, the book considers the potential of truly radical reform toward opening the field to vigorous, lively, contentious independent candidacies that might finally offer alienated voters a choice, not an echo.
About the author
James T. Bennett is Eminent Scholar at George Mason University (USA). He holds William P. Snavely Chair of Political Economy and Public Policy in the Department of Economics and is Director of the John M. Olin Institute for Employment Practice and Policy. Bennett received his Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University in 1970 and has specialized in research related to public policy issues, the economics of government and bureaucracy, labor unions, and health charities. He is Founder and Senior Associate Editor of the Journal of Labor Research and has published more than 60 articles in professional journals such as the American Economic Review, Review of Economics and Statistics, Policy Review, Public Choice, and Cato Journal. As a prolific author, he has also written dozens of books related to his research interests.
Summary
Not Invited to the Party demonstrates how the dominant political parties--the Democrats and Republicans--have co-opted the system to their advantage. James Bennett examines the history and array of laws, regulations, subsidies and programs that benefit the two major parties and discourage even the possibility of a serious challenge to the Democrat-Republican duopoly. The American Founders, as it has been generally forgotten, distrusted political parties. Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution are parties mentioned, much less given legal protection or privilege. This provocative book traces how by the end of the Civil War the Republicans and Democrats had guaranteed their dominance and subsequently influenced a range of policies developed to protect the duopoly. For example, Bennett examines how the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (as amended in 1974 and 1976), which was sold to the public as a nonpartisan act of good government reformism actually reinforced the dominance of the two parties. While focused primarily on the American experience, the book also considers the prevalence of two-party systems around the world (especially in emerging democracies) and the widespread contempt with which they are often viewed. Featuring incisive commentary on the 2008 election, and a foreword by third-party iconoclast, Ralph Nader, the book considers the potential of truly radical reform toward opening the field to vigorous, lively, contentious independent candidacies that might finally offer alienated voters a choice, not an echo.
Additional text
From the reviews:
“James T. Bennett analyzes the roots of political duopoly in this informative, although dense book. … Bennett starts with the notion that The Founders distrusted political parties. … This is very informative book, and you can feel Bennett’s passion about this issue. … I am still recommending this book to anyone who is interested in politics and the history of politics. … I am moving this up to four stars. I have learnt a lot from this book.” (Joanna, Goodreads, July, 2010)
“This brief but dense book … sets out to do what it is meant to do and does it extremely well, hence the four stars. Bennett gives a detailed look at why third parties have it so hard in the United State and how the two main parties, Democrats and Republicans, stack the field against any competition. … This book may have a narrow interest factor but those who read it will have plenty of information to digest.” (Marvin, Goodreads, July, 2010)
“3.5 stars. … some very powerful statements are in this book. For example, ‘Three hundred million people. Two choices. It doesn’t add up.’ It’s so true! I had no idea how many hoops these parties (other than R and D) have to jump through just to get their names on the ballot. … Recommend this book to everyone, ESPECIALLY before elections.” (Mandy McHenry, Goodreads, July, 2010)
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From the reviews:
"James T. Bennett analyzes the roots of political duopoly in this informative, although dense book. ... Bennett starts with the notion that The Founders distrusted political parties. ... This is very informative book, and you can feel Bennett's passion about this issue. ... I am still recommending this book to anyone who is interested in politics and the history of politics. ... I am moving this up to four stars. I have learnt a lot from this book." (Joanna, Goodreads, July, 2010)
"This brief but dense book ... sets out to do what it is meant to do and does it extremely well, hence the four stars. Bennett gives a detailed look at why third parties have it so hard in the United State and how the two main parties, Democrats and Republicans, stack the field against any competition. ... This book may have a narrow interest factor but those who read it will have plenty of information to digest." (Marvin, Goodreads, July, 2010)
"3.5 stars. ... some very powerful statements are in this book. For example, 'Three hundred million people. Two choices. It doesn't add up.' It's so true! I had no idea how many hoops these parties (other than R and D) have to jump through just to get their names on the ballot. ... Recommend this book to everyone, ESPECIALLY before elections." (Mandy McHenry, Goodreads, July, 2010)
