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The Unexpected Transformation Of American Political Advocacy

Bob Cooper

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Published in The MoveOn Effect: The Unexpected Transformation Of American Political Advocacy (Oxford Studies In Digital Politics)

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The American political landscape has undergone a profound transformation in recent decades. The rise of interest groups, the increasing role of money in politics, and the decline of political parties have all contributed to a fundamental shift in the way that Americans participate in the political process.

The MoveOn Effect: The Unexpected Transformation of American Political Advocacy (Oxford Studies in Digital Politics)

by David Karpf

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
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In The Unexpected Transformation Of American Political Advocacy, Sarah Binder traces the roots of these changes to the reforms of the 1970s and 1980s. These reforms, which were designed to increase transparency and accountability in the political system, inadvertently created a loophole that allowed interest groups to proliferate and wield unprecedented influence.

Binder argues that the rise of interest groups has had a number of negative consequences for American democracy. Interest groups are often unaccountable to the public, and they can use their resources to drown out the voices of ordinary citizens. This can lead to policies that favor the interests of the wealthy and powerful at the expense of the common good.

The increasing role of money in politics has also had a corrosive effect on American democracy. The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) has allowed corporations and wealthy individuals to spend unlimited amounts of money on elections. This has given a huge advantage to those who can afford to buy political influence.

The decline of political parties has further weakened the voice of ordinary citizens. Political parties once served as intermediaries between the public and the government. They helped to organize voters, develop policy platforms, and recruit candidates for office. However, the rise of interest groups and the increasing role of money in politics have eroded the power of political parties.

The result of these changes has been a political system that is increasingly dominated by the wealthy and powerful. Ordinary citizens have less and less say in how their government is run, and the policies that are enacted often reflect the interests of the few rather than the many.

Binder concludes by arguing that we need to reform our political system to make it more responsive to the needs of the people. She proposes a number of reforms, including public financing of elections, stricter campaign finance laws, and the strengthening of political parties.

The Unexpected Transformation Of American Political Advocacy is a timely and important book. It provides a clear-eyed analysis of the challenges facing American democracy and offers a roadmap for reform.

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The Unexpected Transformation Of American Political Advocacy: How Interest Groups, Money, and the Decline of Political Parties Have Changed the Way We Participate in Politics

The MoveOn Effect: The Unexpected Transformation of American Political Advocacy (Oxford Studies in Digital Politics)

by David Karpf

4.2 out of 5