Why parties? : the origin and transformation of political parties in America - Aldrich, John H. (John Herbert), 1947- (Chicago : The University of Chicago Press, 1995)
Pt. 1. Political Parties and Democracy. 1. Politics and Parties in America. 2. Why Parties Form -- Pt. 2. Party Formation in America, 1790-1860. 3. Founding the First Parties: Institutions and Social Choice. 4. Jacksonian Democracy: The Mass Party and Collective Action. 5. Whigs and Republicans: Institutions, Issue Agendas, and Ambition -- Pt. 3. The New Political Party in Contemporary America. 6. Party Activists and Partisan Cleavages in Contemporary Elections. 7. Political Parties and Governance. 8. The Critical Era of the 1960s -- Pt. 4. Conclusions. 9. Political Parties, Historical Dynamics, and Democratic Politics.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Keywords: Political parties -- United States -- History; United States -- Politics and government