The Promise and Challenge of Party Primary Elections. A Comparative Perspective.

Cross, William P.; Kenig, Ofer; Pruysers, Scott; Rahat, Gideon

ISBN 10: 0773547983 / ISBN 13: 9780773547988

Published by McGill-Queen's University Press, 2016

About this Item

A groundbreaking study of the typologies, pathologies, and promise of political party primary elections. Num Pages: 256 pages. BIC Classification: 1KBB; JPB; JPHF. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 5817 x 3887 x 18. Weight in Grams: 386. . 2016. Paperback. . . . .

Seller Inventory # V9780773547988

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Promise and Challenge of Party Primary Elections. A Comparative Perspective.
• Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press
• Publication Date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0773547983
• ISBN 13: 9780773547988
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

While primary elections are most often associated with presidential candidates in the United States, similar methods for selecting party leaders and candidates are becoming increasingly common in parliamentary democracies around the world. The Promise and Challenge of Party Primary Elections introduces the first comprehensive examination of both the concept and the practice of primary elections outside of the United States.

By offering a clear definition of primary elections and examples of their types, the authors deliver the tools needed for comparative analysis within and across diverse party systems. Focusing their attention on Canada and Israel - two early adopters of primary elections - the authors unveil the most pressing challenges of conducting internal elections, including questions of financing, monitoring and oversight, and the recruitment of new party members. At the same time, the book highlights the democratic benefits of primaries through direct and widespread participation in internal party decision making.

Drawing upon the experience of parties with a long history of primary elections, The Promise and Challenge of Party Primary Elections offers valuable lessons and insights for parties around the world in search of more open and inclusive democratic practices.

About the Authors

William P. Cross is professor and Bell Chair in Canadian Parliamentary Democracy at Carleton University and co-author of The Promise and Challenge of Party Primary Elections: A Comparative Perspective.

Ofer Kenig is senior lecturer at Ashkelon Academic College.

Scott Pruysers is associate professor in the Department of Political Science at Dalhousie University.

Gideon Rahat is associate of political science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.