Demographic Gaps in American Political Behavior - Softcover

Fisher, Patrick

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0813345960 ISBN 13: 9780813345963

Publisher: Routledge, 2014

Synopsis

Demographic Gaps in American Political Behavior examines the political behavior of various groups in the United States in an effort to demonstrate how demographic backgrounds and socialization affect political behavior. Media coverage has disproportionately focused on the red state versus blue state divide, leaving the impression that American political behavior is determined solely by place of residence. This, however, ignores the numerous other political divides that exist in the United States today. In order to better conceptualize the landscape of American political behavior, Patrick Fisher analyzes the political gaps in six different demographics (income, religion, gender, race, age, and geography) and examines the effect these political gaps have on public opinion, policy, and party positioning. Written in an accessible fashion, Demographic Gaps in American Political Behavior uses contemporary examples and data from the 2008 and 2012 elections to help readers understand how and why demographic background has the potential to greatly influence political opinions and behavior.

About this title

About the Author

Patrick Fisher

From the Back Cover

"Patrick Fisher's excellent adventure into political demography reveals to readers what highly-paid consultants have long understood: group differences drive voting behavior. Fisher expands on the standard focus of income, race/ethnicity, and gender with chapters on religion, region, and, especially, age."
—Frederick R. Lynch, author of One Nation Under AARP

"Presents the major cleavages in contemporary American politics, explains why they are there, how they have evolved over time, and why they are important. This is an excellent piece of scholarship that appeals to students at all levels of sophistication."
—John E. McNulty, SUNY Cortland and Binghampton University

"Demography is a fundamental features of the American political universe and this text stands out for focusing specifically on the major characteristics that distinguish American voters, and the effect voters have on public opinion, electoral preferences, and party positioning."
—Seth McKee, Texas Tech University

"Politicos love the truism 'demography is destiny.' Anyone interested in learning what that phrase really means for America's growing demographic divides should read this book."
—Whitt Kilburn, Grand Valley State University

Demographic Gaps in American Political Behavior examines various groups in the United States in an effort to demonstrate how demographic backgrounds and socialization affect political behavior. Media coverage has disproportionately focused on the red state versus blue state divide, leaving the impression that American political behavior is determined solely by place of residence. This, however, ignores the numerous other political divides that exist in the United States today. In order to better conceptualize the landscape of American political behavior, Patrick Fisher analyzes the political gaps in six different demographics—income, religion, gender, race, age, and geography—and examines the effect these political gaps have on public opinion, policy, and party positioning.

Accessibly written, Demographic Gaps in American Political Behavior uses contemporary examples and data from the 2008 and 2012 elections to help readers understand how and why demographic background has the potential to greatly influence political opinions and behavior.

Patrick Fisher is associate professor of political science at Seton Hall University. Dr. Fisher is the author of numerous journal articles and two books, The Politics of Taxing and Spending and Congressional Budgeting: A Representational Perspective.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0813345960
• ISBN 13: 9780813345963
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256