American politics and the party system

Since the appearance of the first edition of this book, American party and pressure politics have undergone considerable change. Social scien tists have continued their researches and have made available new data in many aspects of political behavior. These developments have provided new insights and illustrative data and have made necessary changes in emphasis and in certain analyses and interpretations.

This new edition notes the return, after 20 years, of a Republican ad ministration and the character of that party under Eisenhower. Recent years have seen renewed interest in "ethics in government" and this sub ject is included as a conclusion to the volume. Political scientists are de bating anew party responsibility in Congress, provoked in part by the appearance of the Report of the Committee on Political Parties of the American Political Science Association. Two chapters have been added to take cognizance of this debate and of the character and effectiveness of parties in the government.

The great increase in public relations activities and changes in the distribution of power called for almost a complete rewriting of the sec tion on pressure politics. A new chapter has also been added to this sec tion. More attention is given to the professions as a political interest group. The influences of group interests on the administrative branch and the growth of administrative pluralism receive extended treatment. More attention is paid than in the previous edition to the subjects of sectionalism, suburbanism, urbanism, radio and television, agrarianism, unofficial party organizations, state and regional parties, and the nature and pattern of American politics.

Fresh and current data have been utilized throughout the volume: more than half of the chapters have been completely revised. To keep the volume to a manageable size the materials on party history previous to 1900 are reduced, as is the treatment of some of the older suffrage problems. Tables on election statistics since 1896 are retained, and the selected references at the end of the chapters are brought up to date.

The author acknowledges his great debt to teachers who have made helpful suggestions. To the numerous party leaders and public office holders with whom he has been privileged to associate likewise go sincere thanks for their candor and their usually refreshing pragmatism. Errors of fact, of course, are the author's responsibility, as are his interpretations and opinions.