The State of Disunion : Regional Sources of Modern American Partisanship

Why are some eras of American politics characterized by broad, bipartisan harmony and others by rancorous partisanship? In The State of Disunion , Nicole Mellow argues that these oscillations are a product of how the two major parties respond, or fail to respond, to the demands of regional constituents. While scholars have long believed that in the twentieth century the nation supplanted regions as the engine of American politics, Mellow uncovers a contrary dynamic. She shows the ways that the clashes and confluences of regional interests reconstruct the nation. By giving regions pride of place, The State of Disunion offers a compelling explanation of how America went from the consensus of the early post-World War II decades to a fractured, "red versus blue" country at the close of the twentieth century. According to Mellow, regions remain a vital consideration in electoral battles because they fuse material and ideological expectations of voters. This wide-ranging analysis of congressional battles over trade, welfare, and abortion since the 1960s demonstrates how regional economic, racial, and cultural divisions have configured national party building and today's legislative conflicts and how these divisions will continue to shape American politics for years to come. The State of Disunion broadens social scientists' understanding of American politics by displaying the conceptual insights of political geography combined with the rich tapestry of political history. Mellow offers a new way to comprehend the meaning and significance of American partisanship for our time and for the future.

why Are Some Eras Of American Politics Characterized By Broad, Bipartisan Harmony And Others By Rancorous Partisanship? In The State Of Disunion, Nicole Mellow Argues That These Oscillations Are A Product Of How The Two Major Parties Respond, Or Fail To Respond, To The Demands Of Regional Constituents. While Scholars Have Long Believed That In The Twentieth Century The Nation Supplanted Regions As The Engine Of American Politics, Mellow Uncovers A Contrary Dynamic. She Shows The Ways That The Clashes And Confluences Of Regional Interests Reconstruct The Nation. By Giving Regions Pride Of Place, The State Of Disunion Offers A Compelling Explanation Of How America Went From The Consensus Of The Early Post-world War Ii Decades To A Fractured, Red Versus Blue Country At The Close Of The Twentieth Century.

according To Mellow, Regions Remain A Vital Consideration In Electoral Battles Because They Fuse Material And Ideological Expectations Of Voters. This Wide-ranging Analysis Of Congressional Battles Over Trade, Welfare, And Abortion Since The 1960s Demonstrates How Regional Economic, Racial, And Cultural Divisions Have Configured National Party Building And Today's Legislative Conflicts And How These Divisions Will Continue To Shape American Politics For Years To Come.

the State Of Disunion Broadens Social Scientists' Understanding Of American Politics By Displaying The Conceptual Insights Of Political Geography Combined With The Rich Tapestry Of Political History. Mellow Offers A New Way To Comprehend The Meaning And Significance Of American Partisanship For Our Time And For The Future.

"This important book spans American history, economics, and culture to explain why the nation splits into blue versus red states" (James A. Morone, Brown University). Why are some eras of American politics characterized by broad, bipartisan harmony and others by rancorous partisanship? In The State of Disunion , Nicole Mellow argues that these oscillations are a product of how politicians respond to the demands of regional constituents. According to Mellow, regions remain a vital consideration in electoral battles because they fuse material and ideological expectations of voters. This wide-ranging analysis of congressional battles over trade, welfare, and abortion since the 1960s demonstrates how regional economic, racial, and cultural divisions have configured national party building and today's legislative conflicts and how these divisions will continue to shape American politics for years to come. The State of Disunion broadens our understanding of American politics by displaying the conceptual insights of political geography combined with the rich tapestry of political history. Mellow offers a new way to comprehend the meaning and significance of American partisanship in our time. Introduction -- Recasting Region -- Regime Change: From The New Deal State To The Republican Revolution -- Sun Belt Rising: Globalization And Regional Changes On Trade Policy -- Change Comes To The Cotton Belt: Race, Region, And The Politics Of Welfare Policy -- The Political Resurrection Of The Bible Belt: Religion, Modernization, And The Intensification Of Abortion Politics -- A House Divided: The Geography Of Parties And Conflict. Nicole Mellow. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [189]-222) And Index. Content: Introduction -- Recasting region -- Regime change: from the new deal state to the republican revolution -- Sun belt rising: globalization and regional changes on trade policy -- Change comes to the cotton belt: race, region, and the politics of welfare policy -- The political resurrection of the Bible belt: religion, modernization, and the intensification of abortion politics -- A house divided: the geography of parties and conflict.