The Great Alignment Race Party Transformation and the Rise of Donald Trump Review

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Outset your review of The Great Alignment: Race, Party Transformation, and the Rise of Donald Trump

Afterward finishing this book this morning, I had a long think about how I felt virtually Alan I. Abramowitz'south interpretation of America and recent events that take happened there, and although some of the commentary is nevertheless very much relevant today, some is not. This makes me believe that this book was written a while ago and is not as up-to-engagement as information technology may seem. That said, this is a world that is irresolute speedily, it would be an impossiblity to proceed on top of everything - especially with Trump who cha After finishing this book this morn, I had a long think about how I felt about Alan I. Abramowitz's interpretation of America and recent events that accept happened in that location, and although some of the commentary is still very much relevant today, some is not. This makes me believe that this book was written a while agone and is not as upward-to-date every bit it may seem. That said, this is a world that is changing speedily, it would be an impossiblity to go on on top of everything - especially with Trump who changes his mind, and ideas on a daily footing simply I would await some contempo events to take precedence over those that occurred longer ago.

This is a great read for people wanting to learn how America got to the point it is now at but if you wish to read nearly more contempo events this is probably non the book for you.

I would like to thank Alan I. Abramowitz, Yale University Printing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Oct 29, 2020 Canon rated information technology liked it

"All my enemies, they just fall in love with me." - Andrew Bird, Archipelago Update: When I first reviewed this in late Oct 2020, in the fever pitch of the Presidential Election, I ended past proverb that I'd need to retrieve more nigh the reality of polarization and how to live in information technology. Revisiting this now, my biggest issues with Abramowitz'due south business relationship and others like it (in that location'south an unabridged cottage industry of cogitation on polarization) are: (1) They strongly give the impression that political an "All my enemies, they merely fall in love with me." - Andrew Bird, Archipelago Update: When I start reviewed this in belatedly October 2020, in the fever pitch of the Presidential Ballot, I concluded by maxim that I'd need to recollect more about the reality of polarization and how to live in information technology. Revisiting this at present, my biggest problems with Abramowitz'southward account and others like it (there'due south an entire cottage industry of cogitation on polarization) are: (1) They strongly give the impression that political and social reality is static, consisting of unchangeable and incommunicative blocks of civilization and ideology, whereas my sense is that reality is, happily, much more dynamic and complex than that (indeed, Abramowitz's ain account of changing coalitions should exist utilized to capeesh that things can change). Consider, for example, that it's not only quite possible to criticize ane's ain side because, for example, it's losing elections and needs to modify to win, but that this happens all the time. This kind of intra-party or intra-group criticism is a blazon of dynamism or fluidity that is completely normal and achievable, rather than involving some kind of mysterious rupture or epitome shift. (two) The salvific hope of changing demographics for liberal policies that Abramowitz and other polarization pundits seem to promise seems in fact to exist not only inaccurate, but apparently stupid. (3) I am suspicious of politicians and pundits weaponizing the fact of polarization to mobilize voters (we are radically polarized; therefore, literally everything is staked on each election; if the other side wins, your ideals and values and fashion of life will exist existentially threatened). Surely in actuality partisan politics neither captures nor supports everything well-nigh one's life or community and is not fifty-fifty what polarization is mainly about. (4) Mayhap we need to debunk the importance of polarization. Perhaps some thoughts in favor of this are: (i) meliorate appreciating the flexibility and capacity of American federalism for managing disagreement and pluralism; (ii) reevaluating the idea of damage in politics and what counts as impairment (due east.g., people being vicious obdurate morons entirely opposed to one's own views and lifestyle is merely annoying but non a damage to oneself per se; on the other hand, things like discriminatory policies, social inequalities, threats, intimidation, violence are all really harmful; this being said, it tin be difficult to determine when putatively harmless private stupidity and vitriol becomes an actually worrisome threat or when it's a distraction — this is a large issue in big function because Trump'south GOP has blurred the lines to a significant degree); (iii) realizing that American history has e'er been turbulent and an unrelenting fight; (iv) more than generally, learning to live with violent disagreement, discord, tragedy; (v) rethinking the finality that seems widely imputed to elections and who holds ability at a particular time. On this last bespeak, I would like to see a shift to a less totalizing politics (don't read: less government à la neoliberal dogma), a shift from what Richard Rorty called movements to campaigns. Original review, with updates: Abramowitz offers an explanation for why I loathe Republicans and why they loathe me: it's non merely that we have a few policy disagreements, just that we are fundamentally separated by ideology, religion, culture, (views on) race and ethnicity, (views on) sex activity, geography. And these differences are structural, features of the world we inhabit and in which our views are shaped — the result of lx+ years of political, social, and cultural realignment in the United States following the plummet of the New Bargain coalition.

As Abramowitz says, "The central argument of this book is that... polarization is not an elite phenomenon. Its causes tin can be constitute in dramatic changes in American society and civilization that have divided the public into opposing camps -- those who welcome those changes and those who feel threatened past them," (p. 2). I like this fashion of putting the issue: that polarization comes downwardly to fundamentally different responses to changes in American club — dissimilar visions of the nation's past, present, and future. This framing seems to have more scope and makes more than sense to me than merely saying that polarization is an elite-driven or electorate-driven process. It seems that polarization is not driven by one of these groups alone, just that political elites and sectors of the public form an advisory feedback loop that results in increasing the gap between already polarized responses to the nation'due south history. For what it's worth, it seems to me that the propaganda feedback loop is much tighter on the right than the left. At any rate, Abramowitz summarizes the current makeup of the Democratic and Republican parties following the bang-up post-New Deal realignment: "In the 21st Century, to a big and growing degree, the Democrats have go the party of nonwhites and white liberals, while the Republicans have get the political party of white conservatives." In line with this, Abramowitz argues persuasively that racial resentment, not merely "economic feet," was the central cistron in Trump's popularity with white voters in 2016.

A cardinal event of polarization is that people on one side meet people on the other as enemies, as people who would not simply take the country in a terrible management, but would thereby threaten their very being and way of life. Hence we despise one another. I certainly have felt this heightened sense of threat in the Trump and postal service-Trump eras — a feeling that seems to go beyond the (albeit historically imaginary) "standard" contingencies of the ebb and flow of a healthy liberal democracy, where there is a robust baseline of "felt" safety. An ironic indicate hither is that some influential analyses of rightwing politics (e.g., Jason Stanley'south taxonomy of fascism) argue that it involves a totalizing friend-enemy, us-them distinction. From my lifelong exposure to rightwing fundamentalism (I grew upwards and was educated in a rural conservative evangelical culture, etc.) I concur with this. But, speaking personally, encountering conservative detest has spawned an equally vehement friend-enemy mindset with regards to them. It'due south very hard to meet a fashion through this — to "accept the high route" or detach when, e.g., Trump and his supporters not only revel in absurd falsehoods and stoke division and hatred through rhetorical acts, just implement policies that harm and demonize others (including themselves). They are not standing down, simply becoming more extreme, and it feels like i cannot surrender the footing past stepping back. I empathize the authoritarianism of the right, the fact that they blank out whoever disagrees with them, and I feel utterly opposed to them. Trump, in this respect, is entirely banal — not a rupture within American conservatism, merely a culmination. Speaking as someone who sees the Autonomous Party as the only bachelor vehicle for enacting liberal policies (but similar a vehicle with simply ii wheels and a smashed engine), there's some other groovy tension between opposing the rightwing views of, e.g., rural Republican voters and needing to win them back to stay electorally competitive. How tin a new coalition be forged? I would say that this lived dread, the fear that they volition have their way, and the epistemic tension arising from radical polarization take been, for me, its most excruciating consequences - peculiarly when polarization is weaponized past political parties to mobilize voters and it is intentionally made to feel, everywhere you turn, that the structure of the world depends on elections. The factors I talk most in the update section are ways I've idea of relaxing (personally, subjectively) this snarl of partisan opposition. The main criterion, for me, in such advice for how to live in the midst of the dread and tension of polarization is to accept the problem seriously, rather than saying meaningless things like "it's just politics"; "information technology's but opinion"; etc. I would like to meet a novel, perhaps, actually delve into current American polarization, examining what information technology'southward like to alive in this bizarro world where it's politics all the fashion downwards and the politics is poisoned, where i'southward reality depends on each election.

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Sep 01, 2018 Jack rated it actually liked information technology

Whatever tin be said about the rise of President Trump, it has brought most some great political scientific discipline analyses. Abramowitz is a fantastic political scientist who offers a cursory have on how the U.s. came to elect Trump. Importantly, at that place were lots of trends coming about over the by couple decades that Trump was able to have advantage of. The Democratic and Republican parties were dividing and condign increasingly ideological, conservative voters increasingly picked upward geographic benefits, b Whatever can be said about the rise of President Trump, it has brought virtually some great political science analyses. Abramowitz is a fantastic political scientist who offers a brief take on how the US came to elect Trump. Importantly, at that place were lots of trends coming nigh over the past couple decades that Trump was able to take advantage of. The Democratic and Republican parties were dividing and condign increasingly ideological, conservative voters increasingly picked up geographic benefits, but more than importantly, white racial resentment and negative partisanship also increased. I loved that term, white racial resentment, as something different than racism, which implies a belief in white superiority. Lots of white, particularly in areas heavy with white working form folks, came to see blacks as getting all the breaks. Trump spoke to them. As well, lots of Americans, Dem and GOP alike, accept come to hate the other party more than they dear their own, and the fear driving that reality is quite motivating at the election box. Of course, there'due south much more than to the book than I wrote hither. But I think if folks are looking for an easy read that captures lots of mod political science to help empathise how Trump became president, this is a fantastic volume. ...more

Aug 31, 2018 Mehrsa rated it liked it

Interesting data, simply it's but a deluge of data and stats that doesn't really say much of annihilation. Interesting data, merely information technology'southward just a deluge of information and stats that doesn't really say much of annihilation. ...more

Aug 30, 2019 columbialion rated information technology really liked information technology

Even if you were a loyal supporter of the GOP in Oct of 2016, (don't lie) you were shocked to learn of the election's consequence. In "The Smashing Alignment: Race, Party, Transformation, and the Ascension of Donald Trump" political science professor Abromowitz connects the convergent dots of the POTUS elections from the '70s, '80s, and '90s and the subsequent repositioning of the American body politic which we are now experiencing.
A word of alarm to the reader; the author'south discussions are heavily 50 Fifty-fifty if you were a loyal supporter of the GOP in Oct of 2016, (don't lie) you were shocked to learn of the election's result. In "The Great Alignment: Race, Party, Transformation, and the Rise of Donald Trump" political science professor Abromowitz connects the convergent dots of the POTUS elections from the '70s, '80s, and '90s and the subsequent repositioning of the American torso politic which we are now experiencing.
A word of alert to the reader; the writer's discussions are heavily laced throughout with political science speak, complete with data charts, probability statistics, and standard deviation calculations. Just if you lot are willing to button through to the core meat and potatoes of the author'south primary axioms, he will deliver to you clear explanations of the internal political trends that pb to the current identify we now occupy on the national political spectrum.
According to professor Abramowitz, we are in uncharted territory. At no other fourth dimension in recorded political history has the American electorate been equally polarized equally it is now. And that includes the contentious ballot of 1800 and the pre-Civil War election of 1862. The election of Donald Trump in 2016 saw, for the first time, a total upheaval of political norms and standards that had been long established since the countries inception. Not but had a consummate outsider been nominated past one of the two major parties. Only his nomination was also captured within a mostly unanimous disdain of the GOP's party elites and candidates.
And so what pb to this most unexpected result? Well, I'm non going to spoil the story for you lot, yous'll simply have to read the book. Nonetheless, I will provide a few essential clues that solidly adjust along the path that gave us POTUS 45. These touchstone trends were long incubating within America mode before Trumps' legendary escalator descent in Trump Belfry. Along their path in history was the devastation of the New Deal Coalition and the ravaging of unions and the working form. (Ironically the roughshod handiwork of the GOP) Merely more chiefly, and fifty-fifty more disturbing, is the author's central determination that the master gene (supported past truckloads of real-time electoral statistics) in the election of Donald Trump was; race.
Author Abramowitz distills downward the supporters of both the Democrats and Republicans in essentially ii camps:
Democrats- primarily fabricated upwardly of people of color, voters under 30 years one-time, and college-educated whites that embraced a national direction of racial diversity and extended social rights for minorities. Women, immigrants, and support for culling lifestyles were also factored into by Democratic voters.
Republicans- overwhelmingly white, mainly white men, over 40 years old, regionally compressed into the former confederacy, and alive in suburban and rural areas. These voters coalesce effectually, and fundamentally fearfulness the emerging demographic and racial morphing of America into a brown society. Along with that, the corresponding fear of the loss of white supremacy and social dominance that has been the indelible status quo. Added to this mix are staunch religious objections to the perceived liberalization of gay rights and abortion.
Although I would classify this book primarily as a classic academic study in modern political scientific discipline. I heartily recommend information technology be read by everyone, regardless of political persuasion. It will most certainly provide the reader with explanations of how the current electoral processes milkshake out now, and will for the foreseeable future. ...more

Mar 22, 2019 Karel Baloun rated it it was amazing

A strong data focused antitoxin to living in our bubble, in a very readable short format. Nil here is rocket science, or fifty-fifty advanced data scientific discipline, but Abramowitz still presents a historically significant conclusion: our national divide is persistent and meaningful. This alignment may become as meaningful historically as FDR's l year working homo coalition (which included southern whites).

If true and therefore persisting, one major implication is that nosotros will not meet >60% consensus behind pr

A potent data focused antidote to living in our bubble, in a very readable brusque format. Nothing here is rocket science, or even avant-garde data science, just Abramowitz still presents a historically significant conclusion: our national divide is persistent and meaningful. This alignment may become every bit meaningful historically as FDR'due south 50 year working man coalition (which included southern whites).

If true and therefore persisting, i major implication is that we will not see >threescore% consensus backside progressive, big government, soak the rich policies. Even IF there were a level money and speech playing field. xxx-40% of the land is firmly aligned and indoctrinated. The Senate requires 60% for legislation, so even just 20 rural conservative states can obstruct effectively. The amalgamated South delivers about xiv lone, and with the Dakotas/Idaho/Utah/WY/KS lone we hit 20. And fifty-fifty thirty% of CA votes reliably Republican.

Amazingly, every bit recently equally 1965, in the five states of the deep S where blacks formed 1/three of the eligible electorate, only 4% reported voting. (p23-25)

The "White Resentment" affiliate (p130 +-5) proving it THE leading in Trump's political success has both a triumphant application of statistics and a tragic reflection on the American people.

Every bit a progressive who for two decades has wondered why the DLC/DNC, bluish dogs and conservadems have and so much institutional power.. it is because they were cardinal to Dem's control of congress all throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s up until Gingrich turned the tables. I guess twenty years are necessary for realignment, as human leaders need to retire or be replaced. The GOP realignment started with Goldwater, succeeded first in Congress in the 90s and in 00s with the Tea Party, and depends on feeding the base, while keeping a bare sliver plenty of an edge to win the electoral higher. I idea Obama killed it, but the Upper Midwest wanted to believe Trump and got criminally engineered. (okay, that entire paragraph is me venting, and has nothing to do with the book!)

In the 20 years starting with Clinton, voting split tickets declined, especially among people who had a negative view of the other party. Smart nonetheless evil political consultants had found the way to maximize "loyalty". (p62) Destroying democracy one hate-filled the voter at a time.

Details of the stability of voter preferences, equally well as the express touch of gerrymandering equally a gene, are both rather depressing as far as having an easy style out (p95-98).

With respect to social media is a factor in polarization of the electorate, the data show that the polarization and ideological radicalization of the electorate was already almost complete by 2012. Cablevision media had already fully indoctrinated people before the bubbles reinforced those beliefs. (p102-four)

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This was an unusual read for me. I am fascinated by American politics and particular how it has gotten to the point it is at now. This seemed like the perfect read to learn more about how the political parties have changed over time.

I think that Alan Abramowitz had a vivid concept and, mostly, it was executed well. Nonetheless, information technology was very statistics heavy and listening to it on audiobook meant that I feel I didn't retain any specific numbers. Despite this, I understood the trends in the statist

This was an unusual read for me. I am fascinated by American politics and particular how it has gotten to the bespeak information technology is at now. This seemed similar the perfect read to learn more nearly how the political parties have changed over time.

I recall that Alan Abramowitz had a bright concept and, mostly, it was executed well. Still, it was very statistics heavy and listening to it on audiobook meant that I feel I didn't retain any specific numbers. Despite this, I understood the trends in the statistics and this book provided me with a groovy overview of how race and political parties intersect in the The states.

Overall I call up this would have been amend to read in a concrete re-create. If I ever demand to write an essay on the topic, this would be a great source and I would recommend information technology for specific readers.

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This is peachy analysis, but I like a bit more of a story mixed in with my nonfiction. This book was about 75% statistics.

Aug 01, 2018 Jim Twombly rated it really liked it

A disarming argument about realignment that will likely alter how I talk about the subject area in class. Abramowitz uses relatively unproblematic assay to make a stiff example and so be aware that the book contains lots of description of numbers.

Feb 19, 2020 Mannie Liscum rated information technology actually liked it

'The Great Alignment' is a bout de forcefulness slice of political science; an intensely scientific study of our American partisan politics. Prof. Abramowitz doesn't shy from data-heavy statistical arguments, approaches this life scientist greatly appreciates. Having said that, this approach is likely to turn off some readers. However, if readers can prepare aside such aversions their advantage is great indeed. The extensive data and Abramowitz'due south analyses provide clear assessments of our current polarized ele 'The Peachy Alignment' is a tour de strength piece of political science; an intensely scientific study of our American partisan politics. Prof. Abramowitz doesn't shy from information-heavy statistical arguments, approaches this life scientist greatly appreciates. Having said that, this arroyo is probable to turn off some readers. Nevertheless, if readers can ready aside such aversions their advantage is cracking indeed. The extensive information and Abramowitz's analyses provide clear assessments of our current polarized electorate and how nosotros got here in the past l-60 years. Some of the virtually salient points are: one) that much of our polarization grew out of strengthening ideological linkage to partisanship; two) the days of moderates are gone, we are at present sorted past ideology/partisanship in ways that social and economic positions align with each other forth party lines; three) that the Democratic and Republican parties and ideologies have largely sorted along both cultural, geographical and racial lines, with Republicans beingness dominated by conservative whites and the Democrats existence represented as the primarily non-white oriented political party; 4) within the racial sorting Abramowitz found that whites in the Republican ranks are condign more conservative and trending toward less educated (eg, defective a college education), while whites in the Democratic ranks are trending more liberal and more educated. 2 of the findings Abramowitz explores late in the book relate directly to the ascension of Donald Trump as a viable, and ultimately successful, Presidential candidate. The ofttimes asked questions that Abramowitz's analyses provide clear answers to is: why did Trump appeal and why were voters swayed to requite him victory? Abramowitz addresses these questions not with biased judgement but through voter data. In cursory, 2 popular explanations accept emerged in the three years since the 2016 election: one rather innocuous, that Trump's appeal was economic (people felt left out and behind economically), and the other more nefarious, that Trump's support was 'deplorable' - pure racism. Abramowitz's data analyses show that economical anxiety indeed played a role but that race was the cardinal cistron driving people to Trump. Nonetheless, the data, every bit Abramowitz betoken out, do not support racism every bit the dominant or even major motivator. Instead his analysis point to 'racial resentment' equally the driver. As the author explains, 'racial resentment' need non, and nearly often in Trump supporters, is non based on racism (a feeling of racial superiority). Rather white conservative voters who have lined upward with Trump embraced his rhetoric of white victimhood (even as much of his rhetoric is racist) every bit an explanation for what they experience is a lodge and regime paying scant attending to their feelings and needs, while courting the advances of non-white groups. This 'racial resentment' of perceived (it matters not if it is real for the perception) societal position based on race was, and is, the strongest motivator of Trump support. Every bit Abramowitz also points out the data also signal that economic feet and racial resentment can not be easily separated, not tin we infer from the data which drives the other, but that racial resentment is much more present and persistent a motivator than economic anxiety. This is a fascinating and enlightening book. 4 of 5 stars (this reviewer is only deducting i star on expectation that the information-rich and statistic nature of the report will deter some readers - only I loved the book). ...more

Oct 01, 2018 Amy rated information technology it was amazing

The Great Alignment is a detailed review of patterns of ideology, political party affiliation, and voting patterns over about the last 75 years. In that location is a lot of information documenting the changes in all iii pieces of the USA'south political scene since the rise of the voting coalition that passed the New Deal. Throughout this, the tone of the book is neutral and mostly ignores the 2016 presidential election in the interest of laying out the facts virtually historical alterations in the patterns that had extr The Corking Alignment is a detailed review of patterns of ideology, party affiliation, and voting patterns over almost the last 75 years. There is a lot of information documenting the changes in all three pieces of the USA's political scene since the rise of the voting coalition that passed the New Deal. Throughout this, the tone of the book is neutral and generally ignores the 2016 presidential ballot in the involvement of laying out the facts nearly historical alterations in the patterns that had farthermost influence on the 2016 election. The Groovy Alignment doesn't get-go examining the 2016 ballot in any substantial way until the final 3 chapters of the book, but those concluding three chapters use the information provided over the previous vii affiliate to coherently and thoroughly explicate the influence of a diverseness of factors on the election (negative partisanship, economic discontent, racial/ethnic discontent. etc). The only complaint I have with The Nifty Alignment was that - perhaps in an effort to maintain a neutral tone, it was considered as well tangential, there was niggling data, or something else - some bug are only mentioned in passing, such as the influence of the Civil Rights Movement on party platforms (and, thus, voter affiliation), voting barriers, and the demise of the Fairness Doctrine. Overall, though, The Bully Alignment is a smashing book for agreement how the modern electorate has come up to be so polarized and the actual history of how that polarization has come to pass. ...more than

This was a very interesting volume analyzing a broad range of political and economic data linked to the past 7 decades of national elections in the United States. Any fan of statistical and polling data in politics would relish this read as the author, for the most role, sticks to the information as a means of telling the story. All the same, I institute it difficult at times not to clearly run across the author'southward own political biases coming out in terms of the analysis of the data and to which data was emphasized. Th This was a very interesting book analyzing a wide range of political and economic data linked to the past seven decades of national elections in the U.s.. Any fan of statistical and polling data in politics would enjoy this read as the author, for the most part, sticks to the data every bit a ways of telling the story. However, I plant it difficult at times not to conspicuously see the writer's ain political biases coming out in terms of the analysis of the information and to which data was emphasized. The last couple of chapters highlighting the 2016 election highlighted a line of thinking as to why Trump won to a very liberal and biased few of the racial stereotypes of white working class individuals who didn't complete a college educational activity. I found that most unfortunate and was certainly express by the timing of the book in terms of judging Trump's early policies in function. Nonetheless a expert read to those interested. ...more

Jun 04, 2021 Jeremy rated it actually liked it

This is a very good short book that makes a compelling statement about how Trump succeeded. Abramowitz marshals a great deal of the core enquiry insights of lxx years of American political science, and then adds his own new research into these brusque capacity to weave a story that explains how polarization along ideological and racial lines allowed for a plain incompetent, deeply flawed graphic symbol to rise to the presidency. It was because Trump appealed to partitioning and racial polarization, dee This is a very good brusque book that makes a compelling argument about how Trump succeeded. Abramowitz marshals a great deal of the core enquiry insights of 70 years of American political science, and then adds his ain new research into these curt chapters to weave a story that explains how polarization forth ideological and racial lines allowed for a manifestly incompetent, deeply flawed character to rise to the presidency. It was because Trump appealed to partitioning and racial polarization, deepened those patterns, and benefited from anti-partisanship. What makes Abramowitz different from many like books is that he shows, with new inquiry and with old, that at that place is strong data to support what most people know to exist true. I would put it 2d to the superb book by Tesler et al, Identity Crisis, as an explanation for 2016, merely superior to that book in its terseness and in its celebrated sweep. ...more

Jan 25, 2020 Timothy rated it liked it

Abramowitz is a gifted political scientist whose expertise is the American electorate and elections. This book centers on his argument that the election of Donald Trump is the result of a deep divide in American politics and guild and not the creator of this split up. Rather, the divide is the event of racial, ideological, and cultural divide that resulted from changes in the United states after the end of World War 2. The volume uses quantitative methods, polls, enquiry surveys, etc. to demons Abramowitz is a gifted political scientist whose expertise is the American electorate and elections. This book centers on his argument that the ballot of Donald Trump is the result of a deep separate in American politics and gild and non the creator of this divide. Rather, the dissever is the upshot of racial, ideological, and cultural divide that resulted from changes in the Usa after the end of World War II. The book uses quantitative methods, polls, inquiry surveys, etc. to demonstrate these divisions as well equally electoral data. The book is short, easy to read, and based on standard political scientific discipline methodology making it a useful addition to courses on American politics or electoral politics. ...more

iii.5 stars

As a preamble, I'm currently a political science PhD student studying American politics and public opinion, so I'one thousand coming at this book with a pretty specialized knowledge of what he'due south talking about.

I thought this volume wasn't really that different from what others have been saying already, i.e. there wasn't much new that he was proverb beyond what's been said by other political scientists already. However, the book does take up many points already made and fits them cohesively and coheren

3.v stars

Equally a preamble, I'k currently a political science PhD student studying American politics and public opinion, so I'one thousand coming at this book with a pretty specialized cognition of what he'south talking most.

I thought this book wasn't actually that different from what others have been saying already, i.eastward. there wasn't much new that he was saying beyond what'southward been said by other political scientists already. However, the book does take up many points already made and fits them cohesively and coherently into a long-view of polarization and partisanship. I enjoyed some of his other works (such as The Disappearing Center) a footling bit more.

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Nov 03, 2018 Gregory rated it really liked it

This is a wonky work of bookish political scientific discipline with lots of graphs, charts, etc. I really enjoyed this book. Basically he argues that two big issues dividing the electorate are negative partisanship (voting more than against someone than voting for someone) and nationalization of politics (then much for Tip O'Neill's adage of "all politics is local."). Money matters, merely it is not the focus of this book. Pairs well with Kaufman's The Autumn of Wisconsin. This is a wonky piece of work of academic political scientific discipline with lots of graphs, charts, etc. I actually enjoyed this book. Basically he argues that two big issues dividing the electorate are negative partisanship (voting more than against someone than voting for someone) and nationalization of politics (so much for Tip O'Neill's adage of "all politics is local."). Coin matters, but information technology is non the focus of this volume. Pairs well with Kaufman's The Fall of Wisconsin. ...more than

This is a outset rate political science book with all of the data points to support the writer's conclusion that racial ideology was the most pregnant factor in Trump's election. He illustrates the growing polarization, in which Republicans take more further right than Democrats accept move left while showing that local elections have become increasingly national over the final xl years, with local results oft beingness similar to presidential results.

Sep 05, 2020 Grace rated information technology liked it

Information technology took me a month to slog through "The Great Alignment: Race, Party Transformation, and the Ascension of Donald Trump." At times interesting and insightful ( I thoroughly enjoyed the analysis of how the two major political parties transformed since the finish of Globe State of war II ) and at other times a chip dull (at least to me - I am non well versed in statistics or setting upwards statistical studies), it was withal worth the read. It took me a month to slog through "The Great Alignment: Race, Party Transformation, and the Rise of Donald Trump." At times interesting and insightful ( I thoroughly enjoyed the analysis of how the two major political parties transformed since the end of World War II ) and at other times a bit dull (at least to me - I am non well versed in statistics or setting up statistical studies), it was still worth the read. ...more than

Read this for a class. Interesting to have the data to dorsum upwards overarching arguments about party realignment in the 20th century and Trump's rise. The writing is non super engaging and is pretty data-heavy. Actually interested in the analysis of white racial resentment superseding economical reasons to vote for Trump in 2016. Would be curious to read an update accounting for the afterwards years of the Trump administration, especially the coronavirus pandemic. Read this for a class. Interesting to accept the data to back up overarching arguments about party realignment in the 20th century and Trump's rise. The writing is not super engaging and is pretty data-heavy. Actually interested in the analysis of white racial resentment superseding economical reasons to vote for Trump in 2016. Would exist curious to read an update accounting for the later years of the Trump assistants, particularly the coronavirus pandemic. ...more

I didn't stop the volume. Information technology was a slog!
I gave up midway through the 6th of 10 sound files. The writing is factual and detailed - merely if I had to hear another percentage or date or land leaning I'd either fall comatose while driving or commit suicide.
This not for listening to - it is a statistical manual that is an excellent insightful reference. Merely not a adept read.

May 24, 2019 Frank Brooks rated it really liked it

Definitely a political scientific discipline book, only non too heavy on the statistics. Lots of charts and generally convincing. Lightly contests another big argument out there, focusing on gerrymandering as the chief culprit in the polarization of Congress and state legislatures.

Jul eleven, 2019 Will rated information technology liked it

An un-enlightening and cursory read; looks at the divisiveness of contemporary American politics, and does more to highlight the divergence in views (which is already well known) rather than explaining their origins or offering ways out.

January xvi, 2021 Ryan rated it liked it

If the thesis of the book is correct this is a sad indictment of our two party system. Racial resentment is a key driver to our radical politicization. I believe in the strength of our country to be more open and accepting.

extends party realignment during civil rights era to modern times - presents compelling evidence about the understated role white racial resentment has played in reorganizing party coalitions and driving the asymmetrical polarization of the Republican party

If you lot're a fan of polls, you'll love this book. Lots of data. I was hoping for more analysis to go with the data. Nonetheless worth the fourth dimension.

Feb 06, 2019 Daniel rated information technology it was amazing

Slow, very information intensive, but a neat autopsy of how american politics aligned into the current monstrosity that it is today.

April 09, 2019 Ietrio rated it did not like it

Another voice in a cacophony of voices, all having the perfect explanation after a shallow observation.

There is something well-nigh an academic bragging about multiple regression analysis that makes me extremely skeptical about the quality of the volume.

February 09, 2021 Alice B rated it really liked information technology

Very interesting and unassailably argued merely would have preferred a bit more subjective assay although I understand that was not the point

January 21, 2020 Alice rated information technology actually liked it

This book is beyond illuminating - and based on conscientious research and a keen corporeality of information, it'southward refreshing to read something and so factual and carefully compiled in a world that's at present so partisan. However, the incredible corporeality of figures sometimes fabricated the volume a little besides dry to read for my taste... This book is beyond illuminating - and based on conscientious research and a great corporeality of data, it's refreshing to read something so factual and carefully compiled in a earth that'southward at present so partisan. However, the incredible amount of figures sometimes made the book a petty too dry to read for my taste... ...more

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Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36288023-the-great-alignment

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