Parties and Ideologies in American Politics

Session Submission Type: Full Paper Panel

Session Description

The dominant "master theory" among American political scientists over the past few decades views the behavior of individuals and groups, including political parties, as the result of individuals acting on the basis of ideal preference points. These preference points are typically conceived of as existing, and moving within, a static, ideological spatial spectrum. This theory has been frequently used, in particular, in explaining party polarization and gridlock in American politics. The papers on this panel both follow and challenge this "master theory," and explore the complex relationships between parties and ideologies in American politics.

Sub Unit

• DIVISION 35: Political Organizations and Parties

Individual Presentations

• Parties, Pivots and Roll-Call Votes in Congress, 1887-2016 - John H. Aldrich, Duke University; Michelle Whyman, Duke University

• An Ideological Turing Test: Delegates’ Understanding of Their Opponents - Hans Noel, Georgetown University

• The Long Tail of Never Trump - Steven M. Teles; Robert P. Saldin, University of Montana

• Are American Political Parties Resilient? Campaign Finance Party Networks - Jennifer Nicoll Victor, George Mason University

Chair

• Frances E. Lee Princeton University

Discussants

• Richard F. Bensel Cornell University

• Verlan Lewis University of Colorado at Colorado Springs