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Why Parties?: The Origin and Transformation of Political Parties in America (American Politics and Political Economy Series)
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Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #230203 in Books
- Published on: 1995-06-01
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Paperback
- 355 pages
Customer Reviews
An Essential for Political Scientists
This book represents some of the best work on American political parties that political science has to offer. The empirical work covers the majority of party history, has impressive depth as well as breadth, and shows a remarkable sensitivity to historical and political context for a study based in rational choice theory. The theory is a bit lacking, however. Aldrich tries to explain parties as solutions to various collective action and cycling problems, but he does not explain how these solutions come about in the first place nor even how they really overcome the problems in any theoretically rigorous way. Still, it is a standard, and should be on any poli sci graduate student's shelf.
An Essential for Political Scientists
This book represents some of the best work on American political parties that political science has to offer. The empirical work covers the majority of party history, has impressive depth as well as breadth, and shows a remarkable sensitivity to historical and political context for a study based in rational choice theory. The theory is a bit lacking, however. Aldrich tries to explain parties as solutions to various collective action and cycling problems, but he does not explain how these solutions come about in the first place nor even how they really overcome the problems in any theoretically rigorous way. Still, it is a standard, and should be on any poli sci graduate student's shelf.
Good, but very complicated
For what it is it is very well written and clear. The problem is what it is. The book is a scientific explanation of the origin of political parties. It's really for someone with an advanced knowledge of political science. The author assumes that the reader knows many things (e.g., probit statistics). However, if you try hard and stick with it, you can get most of the points of the book, but it's not a casual read. I became frustrated many times while reading this.
