In this book, Carol Mershon and Olga Shvetsova explore one of the central questions in democratic politics: How much autonomy do elected politicians have to shape and reshape the party system on their own, without the direct involvement of voters in elections? Mershon and Shvetsova's theory focuses on the choices of party membership made by legislators while serving in office. It identifies the inducements and impediments to legislators' changes of partisan affiliation, and integrates strategic and institutional approaches to the study of parties and party systems. With empirical analyses comparing nine countries that differ in electoral laws, territorial governance, and executive-legislative relations, Mershon and Shvetsova find that strategic incumbents have the capacity to reconfigure the party system as established in elections. Representatives are motivated to bring about change by opportunities arising during the parliamentary term, and are deterred from doing so by the elemental democratic practice of elections.

Product Description: This book explains why the level of party presidentialization varies from one country to another. It considers the effects of constitutional structures as well as the party's original features, and argues that the degree of party presidentialization varies as a function of the party's genetics...read more

Product Description: Although the African National Congress (ANC) has been in power now for 20 years and looks set to continue in office for some time yet, its hold on power is neither permanent nor assured, and sometime in the future it is safe to say it will be voted out of office...read more

Product Description: Examining the complexities and tensions in relations between party members and parliamentarians through an in-depth analysis of the processes that shape the development of party policy in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, this book Presents new evidence on the challenges facing parties in encouraging citizen participation in policy development...read more

Product Description: Has money in politics become more important over time? Has new campaign technology caused a 'cost explosion?' Who gives and spends for political purposes and why? Is illegal funding of parties a real problem? What are the impacts of public funding for sustainable democracy? The Funding of Party Competition examines these questions, and the result is a major contribution to scholarly research on party democracy and on democracy building...read more

Societal Organization and Globalization in Cultural Anthropology   Cultural Anthropology: A Global Perspective provides students with an introduction to cultural anthropology through a traditional holistic and integrative approach.    Organized by societal type, this book's primary emphasis is on applied anthropology, with a strong coverage of globalization.  Additionally, it emphasizes three unifying themes: 1) the diversity of human societies and cultural patterns the world over, 2) the similarities that make all humans fundamentally alike, and 3) the interconnections between the sciences and humanities within anthropology.     Teaching and Learning Experience   Personalize Learning - MyAnthroLab delivers proven results in helping students succeed, provides engaging experiences that personalize learning, and comes from a trusted partner with educational expertise and a deep commitment to helping students and instructors achieve their goals.   Improve Critical Thinking - Critical Perspective boxes ask students to step into an anthropologist’s shoes and use their own reasoning and judgment to approach and analyze problems that often arise in research situations.   Engage Students - Applying Anthropology boxes show students that anthropological research helps solve problems that are currently faced by today’s societies.  Anthropologists at Work boxes profile prominent anthropologists, providing real life examples of many issues covered in the chapters.   Support Instructors - Teaching your course just got easier!  You can Create a Customized Text or use our Instructor’s Manual, Electronic “MyTest” Test Bank or PowerPoint Presentation Slides. Plus, this text organizes its material based on levels of societal organization and regional topics, instead of structuring the book according to specific topics in anthropology, and devotes five chapters to globalization and culture change!   Note: MyAnthroLab does not come automatically packaged with this text. To purchase MyAnthroLab, please visit www.MyAnthroLab.com or you can purchase a valuepack of the text + MyAnthroLab (VP ISBN-10: 0205179290, VP ISBN-13: 9780205179299)