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The Vanishing Voter: Public Involvement in an Age of Uncertainty
by Patterson, Thomas E
- Used
- Very Good
- Hardcover
- first
- Condition
- Very Good/very good
- ISBN 10
- 0375414061
- ISBN 13
- 9780375414060
- Seller
-
Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2002. First edition. Stated. Presumed first printing. Hardcover. Very good/very good. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. xiii, 254, [2] p. Illustrations. Notes. Bibliography. Index. This study of the general public's dissatisfaction with the electoral process is the result of thousands of interviews with voters and seeks to understand why, for example, less than half of the eligible voters actually turned out at the polls in the 2000 presidential election and what can be done about that. Patterson asserts that the core voting blocks are generally somewhat conservative, and that this results in elections that reinforce the status quo.
Synopsis
The disputed presidential election of 2000 highlighted a range of flaws in the American voting system, from ballot procedures to alleged voter intimidation to questions about the fairness of the Electoral College. But as Harvard University political scientist Thomas E. Patterson shows, one problem dwarfs all of these, a predicament that has been increasing since the 1960s and threatens the very foundations of our democracy: fewer and fewer Americans participate in elections. They are less likely to vote, less likely to contribute money to campaigns, and less likely to talk about candidates. They even are less likely to tune in the televised presidential debates.In 1960, 63 percent of Americans voted in the presidential election; in 2000, only 51 percent did. In 1996, more Americans abstained than voted. This decline is surprising not only in itself--America, as our politicians never tire of telling us, is a standard-bearer for democracy--but also because it contradicts the received wisdom about voting patterns: the number of college graduates has risen, racial bars to voting have fallen, and registration laws have been simplified. Yet, even as the United States has made balloting easier and has produced more citizens who, judged by their educational achievements, should vote, the percentage of voters has decreased.Patterson, whose landmark study Out of Order examined the effects of media saturation on the democratic process, takes a clear-eyed look at this situation. Based on more than 80,000 interviews conducted during the 2000 presidential campaign, The Vanishing Voter reveals the political sources of voter discontent. Patterson explains the parts that changes in partisan politics, media coverage, candidate strategy, and electoral reform have played in discouraging voters from going to the polls. And he suggests specific remedies for repairing the process.Thoughtful and timely, The Vanishing Voter contains a crucial message for all who care about democracy.From the Hardcover edition.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Ground Zero Books
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 62070
- Title
- The Vanishing Voter: Public Involvement in an Age of Uncertainty
- Author
- Patterson, Thomas E
- Format/Binding
- Hardcover
- Book Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- very good
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First edition. Stated. Presumed first printing
- ISBN 10
- 0375414061
- ISBN 13
- 9780375414060
- Publisher
- Alfred A. Knopf
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Date Published
- 2002
- Keywords
- Journalism, Electoral College, Interest Groups, John McCain, Ross Perot, Presidential Campaigns, Voter Registration, Terrorism, Voter Turnout, McGovern-Fraser, Willie Horton, Robert Dole, Brock Commission
Terms of Sale
Ground Zero Books
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About the Seller
Ground Zero Books
Biblio member since 2005
Silver Spring, Maryland
About Ground Zero Books
Founded and operated by trained historians, Ground Zero Books, Ltd., has for over 30 years served scholars, collectors, universities, and all who are interested in military and political history.
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Much of our diverse stock is not yet listed on line. If you can't locate the book or other item that you want, please contact us. We may well have it in stock. We welcome your want lists, and encourage you to send them to us.
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- First Edition
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