03138nam 2200613 a 450 991077923890332120230207231654.00-300-16288-X10.12987/9780300162882(CKB)2550000000104971(StDuBDS)AH23050141(SSID)ssj0000720418(PQKBManifestationID)11956175(PQKBTitleCode)TC0000720418(PQKBWorkID)10661595(PQKB)11651911(MiAaPQ)EBC3420916(DE-B1597)485643(OCoLC)808346476(DE-B1597)9780300162882(Au-PeEL)EBL3420916(CaPaEBR)ebr10579315(EXLCZ)99255000000010497120090827d2010 uy 0engur|||||||||||txtccrThe disappearing center[electronic resource] engaged citizens, polarization, and American democracy /Alan I. AbramowitzNew Haven Yale University Pressc20101 online resource (224 p.)Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph0-300-14162-9 Includes bibliographical references and index.Frontmatter -- CONTENTS -- PREFACE -- 1. Polarization in the Age of Obama -- 2. The Engaged Public -- 3. Partisan-Ideological Polarization -- 4. Polarization and Social Groups -- 5. Polarization and Elections -- 6. Polarization in a Changing Electorate -- 7. Polarization and Representation -- 8. Polarization and Democratic Governance -- NOTES -- INDEXRenowned political scientist Alan I. Abramowitz presents a groundbreaking argument that the most important divide in American politics is not between left and right but rather between citizens who are politically engaged and those who are not. It is the engaged members of the public, he argues, who most closely reflect the ideals of democratic citizenship-but this is also the group that is most polarized. Polarization at the highest levels of government, therefore, is not a sign of elites' disconnection from the public but rather of their responsiveness to the more politically engaged parts of it. Though polarization is often assumed to be detrimental to democracy, Abramowitz concludes that by presenting voters with clear choices, polarization can serve to increase the public's interest and participation in politics and strengthen electoral accountability.Political partiesUnited StatesParty affiliationUnited StatesPolarization (Social sciences)United StatesPolitics and government2009-Political partiesParty affiliationPolarization (Social sciences)324.273Abramowitz Alan543890MiAaPQMiAaPQMiAaPQBOOK9910779238903321The disappearing center3828125UNINA$29.7504/11/2016Poli