Parties, Interest Groups, and Political Campaigns

Book excerpt: Just in time for the 2012 US Presidential elections, this book shows how political parties and interest groups have become highly interdependent in the era of candidate-centred elections and media-driven campaigns. With up-to-date data including 2008 and 2010 mid-term results, this book looks ahead to 2012 illustrating important developments such as the Tea Party movement, social media, controversies over healthcare and financial sector reform and the impact of the Supreme Court decision on campaign finance reform. Parties, Interest Groups, and Political Campaigns is the essential guide for understanding the new style of American politics.