How Parties Win

Shaping the Irish Political Arena

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Political Parties
Cover of the book How Parties Win by Sean D McGraw, University of Michigan Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Sean D McGraw ISBN: 9780472120819
Publisher: University of Michigan Press Publication: March 10, 2015
Imprint: University of Michigan Press Language: English
Author: Sean D McGraw
ISBN: 9780472120819
Publisher: University of Michigan Press
Publication: March 10, 2015
Imprint: University of Michigan Press
Language: English

In recent decades, Ireland’s three major political parties have maintained over 80 percent of the vote in the face of rapidly shifting social divisions, political values, and controversial issues, though not by giving voice to particular interest groups or reacting to issues of the day. Rather, Sean D. McGraw reveals how party leaders select, or purposely sideline, pressing political and social issues in order to preserve their competitive advantage. By relegating divisive issues to extraparliamentary institutions, such as referenda or national wage bargaining systems, major parties mitigate the effects of changing environments and undermine the appeal of minor parties.

This richly textured case study of the major parties in the Republic of Ireland engages the broader comparative argument that political parties actively shape which choices are available to the electorate and—just as importantly—which are not. Additionally, McGraw sets a new standard for mixed-method research by employing public opinion surveys, party manifestos, content analysis of media coverage, the author’s own survey of nearly two-thirds of Irish parliamentarians in both 2010 and 2012, and personal interviews conducted over the course of six years.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In recent decades, Ireland’s three major political parties have maintained over 80 percent of the vote in the face of rapidly shifting social divisions, political values, and controversial issues, though not by giving voice to particular interest groups or reacting to issues of the day. Rather, Sean D. McGraw reveals how party leaders select, or purposely sideline, pressing political and social issues in order to preserve their competitive advantage. By relegating divisive issues to extraparliamentary institutions, such as referenda or national wage bargaining systems, major parties mitigate the effects of changing environments and undermine the appeal of minor parties.

This richly textured case study of the major parties in the Republic of Ireland engages the broader comparative argument that political parties actively shape which choices are available to the electorate and—just as importantly—which are not. Additionally, McGraw sets a new standard for mixed-method research by employing public opinion surveys, party manifestos, content analysis of media coverage, the author’s own survey of nearly two-thirds of Irish parliamentarians in both 2010 and 2012, and personal interviews conducted over the course of six years.

More books from University of Michigan Press

Cover of the book Acting in Real Time by Sean D McGraw
Cover of the book LGBT Youth in America's Schools by Sean D McGraw
Cover of the book Michigan Government, Politics, and Policy by Sean D McGraw
Cover of the book Communicative Biocapitalism by Sean D McGraw
Cover of the book Alignment, Alliance, and American Grand Strategy by Sean D McGraw
Cover of the book Leadership Organizations in the House of Representatives by Sean D McGraw
Cover of the book Digital Rhetoric by Sean D McGraw
Cover of the book Teaching History in the Digital Age by Sean D McGraw
Cover of the book The Changing Face of Economics by Sean D McGraw
Cover of the book Good for the Jews by Sean D McGraw
Cover of the book The Troubles in Ballybogoin by Sean D McGraw
Cover of the book The Lone Wolverine by Sean D McGraw
Cover of the book Finding Voice by Sean D McGraw
Cover of the book Greetings from Cutler County by Sean D McGraw
Cover of the book Heartless Immensity by Sean D McGraw
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy