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Many Americans develop misinformed opinions about the U.S. electoral process. Conventional Wisdom and American Elections debunks common misunderstandings that have arisen about the electoral process in the past few decades. This book engages readers in elections, and teaches them to evaluate information like a political scientist.
List of contents
List of Illustrations
Introduction
Chapter 1. The 'Independent' and 'Swing' Voter Myth v. the Reality of Mobilizing the Base
Chapter 2. To Vote or Not to Vote: Three Myths about Voter Turnout
Chapter 3. End of the Two Party System? The Myth of the Rise of Third Parties
Chapter 4. Buying Elections? Campaign Finance Law and Money's Influence in Elections and Politics
Chapter 5. The Veepstakes: Balancing the Ticket and Other Myths about Vice Presidential Selection
Chapter 6. Mudslinging 101: Have Presidential Campaigns Really Become Nastier?
Chapter 7. Where Have You Gone, Walter Cronkite? The 'News' Just Ain't What It Used To Be
Chapter 8. Game Changer? Misconceptions about the Significance of Presidential Debates
Chapter 9. Science or Voodoo? Misconceptions about National Election Polls
Chapter 10. May the Best Man Win? The Illusion of Competitive Congressional Elections
Chapter 11. The American People Have Spoken'...Or Have They? The Myth of the Presidential Mandate
Index
About the Authors
About the author
jodyb@jodyb.net
Summary
Many Americans develop misinformed opinions about the U.S. electoral process. Conventional Wisdom and American Elections debunks common misunderstandings that have arisen about the electoral process in the past few decades. This book engages readers in elections, and teaches them to evaluate information like a political scientist.
