Upending American Politics: Polarizing Parties, Ideological Elites, And Citizen Activists From The Tea Party To The Anti-trump

The election of Barack Obama in 2008 was startling, as was the victory of Donald Trump eight years later. Because both presidents were unusual and gained office backed by Congresses controlled by their own parties, their elections kick-started massiv... Read more

The election of Barack Obama in 2008 was startling, as was the victory of Donald Trump eight years later. Because both presidents were unusual and gained office backed by Congresses controlled by their own parties, their elections kick-started massive counter-movements. The Tea Party startingin 2009 and the "Resistance" after November 2016 transformed America''s political landscape. Upending American Politics offers a fresh perspective on these recent upheavals, tracking the emergence and spread of local voluntary citizens'' groups, the activities of elite advocacy organizations andconsortia of wealthy donors, and the impact of popular and elite efforts on the two major political parties and candidate-led political campaigns. Going well beyond national surveys, Theda Skocpol, Caroline Tervo, and their contributors use organizational documents, interviews, and local visits toprobe changing organizational configurations at the national level and in swing states. This volume analyzes conservative politics in the first section and progressive responses in the second to provide a clear overview of U.S. politics as a whole. By highlighting evidence from the state level, italso reveals the interplay of local and national trends. Less