A Tale of Two Parties

Reviews / Votes

"Kenneth Janda inventively examines survey data to uncover the extent to which Republicans and Democrats today are different from those in the 1950s. He documents changes as to how different groups identify with the parties as well as in which groups constitute the base of each party. Janda presents the numbers, but then he delightfully adds his own perspectives on these seven decades of politics. As to be expected, the answer is that there has been change in some of the sociological differences between the parties, but the surprise is how many have stayed the same."

Herbert Weisberg, Professor Emeritus, Ohio State University

"Drawing upon social identity theory, Janda helps us understand why - at a time when the policy differences between the two parties have never been more stark - their support bases are driven more by social identity than by policy. With analysis covering the period from 1952 to 2020, the already-interesting story is made even more interesting with touches of autobiography and analogies from -- believe it or not -- the world of sports. In an era marked by hyperpartisanship, extreme polarization, and political tribalism, this is an entertaining and highly informative book that should be read by all serious students of American party politics."

Robert Harmel, Professor, Texas A&M

"A pioneer of the modern social sciences offers a remarkable tale of how American political parties have developed over the past 17 presidential elections. He draws on his own experiences as a citizen, political scientist, student, and mentor, as well as analyses of nearly 70 years of data. Charting the evolving composition of the parties, Professor Janda shows how the social bases of the parties have changed and how social features, rather than ideology, have come to define the Democrats and Republicans. While this raises questions about how well responsible party government works, Professor Janda ends with an optimistic view of the future. This book is a social science masterpiece from which we will all learn."

James Druckman, Northwestern University

"I loved this book. Full of engaging writing and personal insights, Janda takes us on a highly informative and highly readable tour of the evolving two-party system of the past seven decades. This book will be valuable to scholars and students of American political parties and political parties history, but its straightforward and accessible presentation should recommend it to an even wider audience."

Steven Greene, Professor of Political Science, North Carolina State University

"This is an excellent study of partisan identity, with important new insights into the nature of identity, the ways demographic bases of partisans' identities have evolved over time, and especially, into how partisan identity relates to ideology. Janda draws on identity theory to develop the close affinity of partisan identity to team identification in sports, with fruitful results. Among other things, this helps him to develop the idea that parties largely cause ideology rather than the other way around. All that, and it is also a good read!"

W. Phillips Shively, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of Minnesota

"[A] fine example of how mathematical calculations can go hand in hand with personal recollections, which in their own turn act as illustrations to the hypotheses and add certain charm to the book."

Yurii G. Korgunyuk, Electoral Politics: International Journal of Elections "Kenneth Janda inventively examines survey data to uncover the extent to which Republicans and Democrats today are different from those in the 1950s. He documents changes as to how different groups identify with the parties as well as in which groups constitute the base of each party. Janda presents the numbers, but then he delightfully adds his own perspectives on these seven decades of politics. As to be expected, the answer is that there has been change in some of the sociological differences between the parties, but the surprise is how many have stayed the same."

Herbert Weisberg, Professor Emeritus, Ohio State University

"Drawing upon social identity theory, Janda helps us understand why - at a time when the policy differences between the two parties have never been more stark - their support bases are driven more by social identity than by policy. With analysis covering the period from 1952 to 2020, the already-interesting story is made even more interesting with touches of autobiography and analogies from -- believe it or not -- the world of sports. In an era marked by hyperpartisanship, extreme polarization, and political tribalism, this is an entertaining and highly informative book that should be read by all serious students of American party politics."

Robert Harmel, Professor, Texas A&M

"A pioneer of the modern social sciences offers a remarkable tale of how American political parties have developed over the past 17 presidential elections. He draws on his own experiences as a citizen, political scientist, student, and mentor, as well as analyses of nearly 70 years of data. Charting the evolving composition of the parties, Professor Janda shows how the social bases of the parties have changed and how social features, rather than ideology, have come to define the Democrats and Republicans. While this raises questions about how well responsible party government works, Professor Janda ends with an optimistic view of the future. This book is a social science masterpiece from which we will all learn."

James Druckman, Northwestern University

"I loved this book. Full of engaging writing and personal insights, Janda takes us on a highly informative and highly readable tour of the evolving two-party system of the past seven decades. This book will be valuable to scholars and students of American political parties and political parties history, but its straightforward and accessible presentation should recommend it to an even wider audience."

Steven Greene, Professor of Political Science, North Carolina State University

"This is an excellent study of partisan identity, with important new insights into the nature of identity, the ways demographic bases of partisans' identities have evolved over time, and especially, into how partisan identity relates to ideology. Janda draws on identity theory to develop the close affinity of partisan identity to team identification in sports, with fruitful results. Among other things, this helps him to develop the idea that parties largely cause ideology rather than the other way around. All that, and it is also a good read!"

W. Phillips Shively, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of Minnesota

"[A] fine example of how mathematical calculations can go hand in hand with personal recollections, which in their own turn act as illustrations to the hypotheses and add certain charm to the book."

Yurii G. Korgunyuk, Electoral Politics: International Journal of Elections

"...Janda's presentation of his data is clear and concise, which will make his book of interest to both scholars and students. His suggestion that the media report not just how strongly each party appeals to particular groups but how large each group is inside the party coalition is sage advice - one can only hope it will be headed."

Daniel DiSalvo, Party Politics