Realignment: The Theory That Changed the Way We Think About American Politics

Realignment: The Theory that Changed the Way We Think About American Politics tells the dramatic story of how a new approach to American politics emerged in the afternmath of Harry Truman's stunning 1948 election upset victory. This approach-realignment theory-held that critical elections such as those of the Civil War era, the 1890's, and the 1930's shaped politics for decades to come. Theodore Rosenof details how realignment theory emerged as the predominant explanation of electoral change and how, after decades of analysis, it remains a subject of continuing influence and controversy. The first history of this important theory, Realignment weaves history and political science into a compelling look at American elections.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Acknowledgments Chapter 2 Introduction Chapter 3 The Study of Behavior Chapter 4 Discerning Patterns Chapter 5 Evaluators of Transition Chapter 6 The Breakthrough of Samuel Lubell Chapter 7 The Advent of V. O. Key Chapter 8 Origins of the Michigan School Chapter 9 The Crystallization of Theory Chapter 10 Assessing Coalitions Chapter 11 Weighing Upheaval Chapter 12 Prophets of Transformation Chapter 13 The Onset of Revision Chapter 14 Grappling with Incongruity Chapter 15 Divergent Scenarios Chapter 16 Realignment in Retrospect Chapter 17 Coda: The Future of Realignment Theory Chapter 18 Notes

About the Author :
Theodore Rosenof is professor of history at Mercy College and the author of several books on political and economic history.

Review :
For an excellent recent account of how many analysts have dealt with the realignment concept, see Theodore Rosenof's Realignment: The Theory That Changed the Way We Think about American Politics. In fact, Rosenof's book is an invaluable guide to the voluminous literature on American elections and political parties since the 1940s. Compelling, wonderfully written, and fast-paced biography of a concept. This is a first-rate read for those specializing in American electoral politics. Essential. A fascinating and worthwhile contribution ot the literature on parties and elections. In this informative work, Theodore Rosenof provides the most comprehensive recounting to date of the history of the realignment perspective on American political history. This book is the first full treatment of the evolution of "realignment theory," and it is intellectual history of a high order. It should appeal to students interested in American parties and elections as well as, more broadly, those interested in the development of American political science. This book makes a substantial contribution to our understanding of the history of American political science, and it will be of value to a wide audience of scholars. It is written in a clear and accessible way and the research is thorough. It provides a very valuable treatment of the history of the concept of realignment-this concept is important enough that the book will be of interest to all analysts of American political institutions who want to understand the distinctive patterns of change and continuity that have appeared in the United States. A useful primer for anyone interested in the evolution of a major theory that shaped political research for over forty years.