A Profile of the American Electorate Partisan Behavior and the Need for Reform

A Profile of the American Electorate takes an extensive look at the political foundations and behaviors of citizens, yesterday and today. Presenting decades of data on voter choice, voter turnout, and public opinion in a way that is clear and accessible for students of political science, the book uniquely emphasizes the importance of voting, socialization, and reform measures to enhance good citizenship. It explores how Americans become conservative or liberal, why some vote and others stay home, their knowledge of politics, how polarized the public has become, and the complex motivations behind their vote choices.

1 Introduction: Some Politics Change, Some Voters Stay the Same 2 Genesis: How Do People Become Liberals and Conservatives? 3 Voter Choice: The Decision is Simple, but Is It Predetermined? 4 Political Knowledge: What Facts Do Voters Need to Know? 5 Voter Turnout: Institutional Barriers and Group Motivations 6 Polarization: How Bad Is It, and Is It Growing? 7 Exploring Solutions: Policy Answers to a Better Citizenry 8 Conclusion: Renewing American Citizenship

Matthew L. Bergbower is Associate Professor of Political Science at Indiana State University.