The Marketplace of Democracy - by Michael P McDonald & John Samples (Paperback)

About the Book

"A Brookings Institution Press and Cato Institute publication

Since 1998, U.S. House incumbents have won a staggering 98 percent of their reelection races. Electoral competition has also declined in some state and primary elections. The Marketplace for Democracy combines the resources of two eminent research organizations--Brookings and the Cato Institute--to address several important questions about our democratic system. How pervasive is the lack of competition in arenas only previously speculated on, such as state legislative contests and congressional primaries? What have previous reform efforts, such as direct primaries and term limits, had on electoral competition? What are the effects of redistricting and campaign finance regulation? What role do third parties play? In sum, what does all this tell us about what might be done to increase electoral competition?

The authors, including a number of today's most important scholars in American politics, consider the historical development, legal background, and political aspects of a system that is supposed to be responsive and accountable yet for many is becoming stagnant, self-perpetuating, and tone-deaf. How did we get to this point, and what--if anything--should be done about it?

Elections are the vehicles through which Americans choose who governs them, and the power of the ballot is still the best lever ordinary citizens have in keeping public officials accountable. The Marketplace of Democracy considers different policy options for increasing the competition needed to keep American politics vibrant, responsive, and democratic.

Contributors include Stephen Ansolabehere (MIT), William D. Berry (Florida State University), Bruce Cain (University of California-Berkeley), Thomas Carsey (Florida StateUniversity) James Gimpel (University of Maryland) John Hanley (UC-Berkeley), John Mark Hansen (University of Chicago), Paul S. Herrnson (University of Maryland) Gary Jacobson (University of California-San Diego) Thad Kousser (UC-San Diego), Frances Lee (Univer
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Book Synopsis

A Brookings Institution Press and Cato Institute publication

Since 1998, U.S. House incumbents have won a staggering 98 percent of their reelection races. Electoral competition has also declined in some state and primary elections. The Marketplace for Democracy combines the resources of two eminent research organizations--Brookings and the Cato Institute--to address several important questions about our democratic system. How pervasive is the lack of competition in arenas only previously speculated on, such as state legislative contests and congressional primaries? What have previous reform efforts, such as direct primaries and term limits, had on electoral competition? What are the effects of redistricting and campaign finance regulation? What role do third parties play? In sum, what does all this tell us about what might be done to increase electoral competition?

The authors, including a number of today's most important scholars in American politics, consider the historical development, legal background, and political aspects of a system that is supposed to be responsive and accountable yet for many is becoming stagnant, self-perpetuating, and tone-deaf. How did we get to this point, and what--if anything--should be done about it?
Elections are the vehicles through which Americans choose who governs them, and the power of the ballot is still the best lever ordinary citizens have in keeping public officials accountable. The Marketplace of Democracy considers different policy options for increasing the competition needed to keep American politics vibrant, responsive, and democratic.

Contributors include Stephen Ansolabehere (MIT), William D. Berry (Florida State University), Bruce Cain (University of California-Berkeley), Thomas Carsey (Florida State University) James Gimpel (University of Maryland) John Hanley (UC-Berkeley), John Mark Hansen (University of Chicago), Paul S. Herrnson (University of Maryland) Gary Jacobson (University of California-San Diego) Thad Kousser (UC-San Diego), Frances Lee (Univer

Review Quotes

"In a clear, straightforward manner, this volume provides an important resource for a better understanding of why American politics suffers from low levels of competition for elected office. Students, faculty, and researchers would be wise to consult this important contribution to US elections. Highly recommended." -- "CHOICE", 3/1/2007

"The studies which comprise this useful volume are of uniformly high quality, and the book contributes to our understanding of the possibilities and limitations of attempts at political reform. The contributors provide studies which are clearly written and methodologically sophisticated. As a collection, the studies in this book will be of interest to academics and political practitioners alike." --Ted G. Jelen, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, "Congress & the Presidency"

About the Author

"Michael P. McDonald is an assistant professor at George Mason University and a visiting fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution. John Samples directs the Center for Representative Government at the Cato Institute and teaches political science at Johns Hopkins University."