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Why Parties?: The Origin and Transformation of Political Parties in America
Why did the United States develop political parties? How and why do party alignments change? Are the party-centered elections of the past better for democratic politics than the candidate-centered elections of the present? In this landmark book, John Aldrich goes beyond the clamor of arguments over whether American political parties are in resurgence or decline and undertakes a wholesale reexamination of the foundations of the American party system.
Surveying three critical episodes in the development of American political parties—from their formation in the 1790s to the Civil War—Aldrich shows how parties serve to combat three fundamental problems of democracy: how to regulate the number of people seeking public office; how to mobilize voters; and how to achieve and maintain the majorities needed to accomplish goals once in office. Overcoming these obstacles, argues Aldrich, is possible only with political parties.
Aldrich brings this innovative account up to date by looking at the profound changes in the character of political parties since World War II. In the 1960s, he shows, parties started to become candidate-centered organizations that are servants to their office seekers and officeholders. Aldrich argues that this development has revitalized parties, making them stronger, and more vital, with well-defined cleavages and highly effective governing ability.
Surveying three critical episodes in the development of American political parties—from their formation in the 1790s to the Civil War—Aldrich shows how parties serve to combat three fundamental problems of democracy: how to regulate the number of people seeking public office; how to mobilize voters; and how to achieve and maintain the majorities needed to accomplish goals once in office. Overcoming these obstacles, argues Aldrich, is possible only with political parties.
Aldrich brings this innovative account up to date by looking at the profound changes in the character of political parties since World War II. In the 1960s, he shows, parties started to become candidate-centered organizations that are servants to their office seekers and officeholders. Aldrich argues that this development has revitalized parties, making them stronger, and more vital, with well-defined cleavages and highly effective governing ability.
355 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 24, 2016
Speaking as someone with a great deal of interest in this topic I really had to push through some powerful boredom to finish this volume. Also, speaking as a layman I must say that adding complex algebraic equations does not fool me into believing that political science is actually science. But hey, what do I know?
I do know that this book is not going to be of interest to the general reader. The sections dealing with the history of early American political parties were okay. The sections dealing with hardcore theorizing about party behavior were dull beyond belief.
I really wish that I had found the later edition of this book because so much changed in the 1990s - proving some sections of this book false. I did glean some information about the basic purpose and function of political parties, as one would expect from the title.
I do know that this book is not going to be of interest to the general reader. The sections dealing with the history of early American political parties were okay. The sections dealing with hardcore theorizing about party behavior were dull beyond belief.
I really wish that I had found the later edition of this book because so much changed in the 1990s - proving some sections of this book false. I did glean some information about the basic purpose and function of political parties, as one would expect from the title.
July 9, 2016
This one took me quite a while to finish. I went through a grad level class syllabus to find this book. I recommend some careful note taking if you're interested in reading this one. John Aldrich, a professor at Duke University, goes through a rich history of American politics and explains the incentives for forming political parties from collective action problems democracies have in an extended republic. Most importantly it examines the shift of party forms before and after the critical era of the 1960's. This one is dense with theory so proceed with caution. I recommend this one to my fellow political science junkies
March 2, 2010
though i tried, i am just not nerdy enough for this book. too much old school poli sci theory written and presented in old school poli sci style. it's not accessible to most. and it was riddled with typos...which makes me think even the editors were just skimming it! it reads like a re-presentation of old ideas in an old way. too bad. so sad.
June 14, 2025
Avoid this book if you’re a casual reader. Very boring.
In this book, Aldrich goes on to explain how political parties are necessary in order for democracy to work which seems like an interesting perspective, yet fails to expand how the parties are essential. The first few chapters were entertaining enough about the history how and why political parties formed, but dips in complete boredom after that. Then he claims "Parties are designed as attempts to solve problems that current institutional arrangements do not solve and that politicians have come to believe they cannot solve" however does not back the claim whatsoever.
This book seemed as if it was written in a way that the author could not have been bothered of the content written at all. Honestly from a political science perspective this book has some decent value, but if the author didn’t seem interested in the content of his words why should you be either?
(After reading this book, I found that Mr. Aldrich wrote a 2nd book, “Why Parties?: A Second Look”. Maybe that book is better?)
In this book, Aldrich goes on to explain how political parties are necessary in order for democracy to work which seems like an interesting perspective, yet fails to expand how the parties are essential. The first few chapters were entertaining enough about the history how and why political parties formed, but dips in complete boredom after that. Then he claims "Parties are designed as attempts to solve problems that current institutional arrangements do not solve and that politicians have come to believe they cannot solve" however does not back the claim whatsoever.
This book seemed as if it was written in a way that the author could not have been bothered of the content written at all. Honestly from a political science perspective this book has some decent value, but if the author didn’t seem interested in the content of his words why should you be either?
(After reading this book, I found that Mr. Aldrich wrote a 2nd book, “Why Parties?: A Second Look”. Maybe that book is better?)
January 7, 2013
Why Not?
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews