Choices and Changes: Interest Groups in the Electoral Process - Hardcover

Franz, Michael M.

9781592136735: Choices and Changes: Interest Groups in the Electoral Process

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1592136737 ISBN 13: 9781592136735

Publisher: Temple University Press, 2008

"Choices and Changes" is the most comprehensive examination to date of the impact of interest groups on recent American electoral politics. Richly informed, theoretically and empirically, it is the first book to explain the emergence of aggressive interest group electioneering tactics in the mid-1990sOCoincluding OC soft moneyOCO contributions, issue ads, and OC 527sOCO (IRS-classified political organizations).

Michael Franz argues that changing political and legal contexts have clearly influenced the behavior of interest groups. To support his argument, he tracks in detail the evolution of campaign finance laws since the 1970s, examines all soft money contributionsOConearly $1 billion in totalOCoto parties by interest groups from 1991-2002, and analyzes political action committee (PAC) contributions to candidates and parties from 1983-2002. He also draws on his own interviews with campaign finance leaders.

Based on this rigorous data analysis and a formidable knowledge of its subject, "Choices and Changes" substantially advances our understanding of the significance of interest groups in U.S. politics. "

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About the Author:

Michael M. Franz is Assistant Professor of Government and Legal Studies at Bowdoin College.

Review:

"An excellent book, theoretically rich and empirically sound. Choices and Changes is interesting, understandable, and informative. Franz's overall analysis is the most thorough of any book that I have read in the interest group literature. His extensive data analysis fills a major gap in the literature." Peter L. Francia, East Carolina University, author of The Future of Organized Labor in American Politics "Academics are the primary audience for this graph-rich book, but dedicated (and patient) journalists and Hill staffers may also pick up some useful data points." Campaigns and Elections "While the volume represents a well-crafted, theoretically based piece of social science research of use to academic specialists interested in campaign finance, other readers concerned about the impact of money on American politics generally will find the material not overly technical, and very readable and informative...Perhaps Franz' most original contribution to the literature is found in his analysis of how the changing regulatory environment affected a group's choice of electioneering tactics." Political Science Quarterly, Fall 2009

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