SAGE Journal Articles and Readings

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SAGE Journal Articles

SJ-userguide.pdf

Article 1: Arndt, C. (September 2014). Social Democracy’s Mobilization of New Constituencies: The Role of Electoral Systems. Party Politics 20(5). 778-790.

This article examines social democracy’s ability to attract new voters among the middle class across different electoral systems. Previous research has ignored the importance of electoral systems and has been unable to establish whether social democratic parties have succeeded in mobilizing constituencies. The author argues that electoral systems do in fact play a crucial role and that support for social democracy among the new constituencies is structured by the electoral rules.

Questions to Consider:
  1. In the section, “Transformation of social democracy in the 1970s and 1980s,” what were the three generalizations for the future political success of democratic parties that were identified by Kitschelt?
  2. In what ways did social democracy moderate its fiscal and economic policy instruments?
  3. In the section, “Electoral rules and social democracy’s prospects of mobilizing new constituencies,” under what circumstances do social democracy parties face difficulties in mobilizing voters?

Learning objective: Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government; Describe the role politics plays in determining how power and resource are distributed in society

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Article 2: Dennis, J. and Owen, D. (October 2001). Popular Satisfaction with the Party System and Representative Democracy in the United States. International Political Science Review 22(4). 399-415.

This article examines explanations for diminished levels of popular support for the American government (i.e. institutions, leaders, etc.). The authors find a strong connection between citizens ‘ partisanship and feelings about political parties and their support for the political regime and overall democratic processes.

Questions to Consider:
  1. What do the authors identify as the solution to representative democracies upgrade to the 21st century?
  2. In the section, “Importance of Representational Experience,” what do the authors mean by “external political efficacy”?

Learning objective: Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government; Describe the role politics plays in determining how power and resource are distributed in society

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Article 3: Bowler, S. and Donovan, T. (September 2006). Direct Democracy and Political Parties in America.Party Politics 12(5). 649-669.

This article examines the origins of direct democracy, also referred to as participatory democracy, in the United States. The authors assess how direct democracy processes has affected the American political institution of parties. Though the initiative historically led to more restrictive state legal environments for parties, the authors discuss how the party organizations are now visible actors in the direct democracy campaigns.

Questions to Consider:
  1. What was the initial purpose of the popular initiative?
  2. What is the link between direct democracy and American political institutions?
  3. In the section, “Parties in American and European Direct Democracy,” what is the comparison between the role of direct democracy in the United States and in European countries such as Switzerland?

Learning objective: Explain the historical origins of American democracy; Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government; Describe the role politics plays in determining how power and resource are distributed in a society

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Article 4: Burtenshaw, C. J. (December 1968). The Political Theory of Pluralist Democracy. Political Research Quarterly 21(4). 577-587.  

This article discusses the problems of pluralist theory research that are highlighted in the works of renowned political theorists Robert A. Dahl, James R Wilson, and Edward Banfield, among others. Using Dahl’s New Haven, Connecticut and Oberlin, Ohio empirical studies, the author concludes that not is it true that different persons wield the power of the state at different times, but the power is not dissolved through social structure.

Questions to Consider:
  1. According to the author, what is the central problem?
  2. What is the difference between the pluralist theory and the classical democratic model?
  3. What does the author conclude with in terms of Dahl’s studies? Was there an issue with the pluralist theory? Do you agree with the author’s assertion that there is something wrong with the study?

Learning objective: Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government; Describe the role politics plays in determining how power and resource are distributed in society; Apply the five steps of critical thinking to this book's themes of power and citizenship in American politics

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CQ Researcher

Learning objective: Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government