American Politics Commons^™

The Effects Of Negative Political Advertisements: A Meta-Analytic Assessment, Richard Lau, Lee Sigelman, Caroline Heldman, Paul Babbitt

Caroline Heldman

The conventional wisdom about negative political advertisements holds that no one likes them, but they work, that is, they have the consequences their sponsors intend. Moreover, many analysts have expressed concern over the detrimental effects of such negativism on the American political system. We examine the accuracy of the conventional wisdom and the legitimacy of the fears about the consequences for the political system via meta-analysis, a systematic, quantitative review of the literature. The data do not support either contention. Negative political ads appear to be no more effective than positive ads and do not seem to have especially detrimental …

Political Communication Through Art: Fdr And The New Deal, Donna R. Hoffman, Alison D. Howard

Alison Dana Howard

The Mobilization Of Campaign Activists By The Party Canvass, Peter Wielhouwer

Peter W. Wielhouwer

This research examines the role of the personal contacting activities of the political parties as mobilizing forces in what Verba and Nie termed campaign activities. A reformulated rational choice model is discussed in which parties seek to reduce certain avoidable and unavoidable costs associated with political participation. Using data from the 1952 through 1994 American National Election Studies, it is shown that the party contact has been and continues to be a major factor in mobilizing campaign activists. Its influence is remarkably robust, maintaining statistical and substantive significance even after controlling for other important factors usually associated with political behavior.

Transforming Policies Into Persuasive Visual Images: Art And Fdr, Donna R. Hoffman, Alison D. Howard

Alison Dana Howard

Tench Coxe And The Right To Keep And Bear Arms, 1787-1823, David B. Kopel

David B Kopel

Tench Coxe, a member of the second rank of this nation's Founders and a leading proponent of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, wrote prolifically about the right to keep and bear arms. In this Article, the authors trace Coxe's story, from his early writings in support of the Constitution, through his years of public service, to his political writings in opposition to the presidential campaigns of John Adams and John Quincy Adams. The authors note that Coxe described the Second Amendment as guaranteeing an individual right, and believed that an individual right to bear arms was necessary for …

Introduction To "Religious Institutions And Minor Parties In The United States", Christopher P. Gilbert, David A. M. Peterson, Timothy R. Johnson, Paul Djupe

David A. M. Peterson

In the elections of November 1996 and November 1997, the residents of St. Peter, Minnesota, had the opportunity to consider two political newcomers. These candidates-Ruth Johnson and Dan Stratton-had much in common beyond the fact that neither had run previously for elected office. Both candidates had a strong and long-standing interest in politics and public affairs. Both sought prestige positions-Johnson wanted the vacant state legislative seat, while Stratton challenged for mayor of St. Peter. Both were relatively unknown to the general public. Finally, both candidates had connections to the local liberal arts college; Johnson was an alumnus serving in administration, …

A Contract With The People Of Georgia: The Politics Of An Insurgent Minority, Peter Wielhouwer

Peter W. Wielhouwer

Examines contract developed by the Republican party in the 1994 elections, process by which it was constructed, use during political campaign, effects on elections, and legislative agenda it prompted