Russell J. Dalton Boeken

The book explores the growing skepticism among citizens regarding the foundations of representative democracy. It delves into the reasons behind this questioning, examining the implications for governance, civic engagement, and the future of democratic institutions. By analyzing contemporary challenges and the evolving relationship between citizens and their representatives, it aims to provoke thought on how democracy can be revitalized and made more responsive to the needs of the populace.

Offering a comparative analysis of political attitudes and behavior, this updated Seventh Edition examines the dynamics in the United States, Great Britain, France, and Germany. It provides insights into how these countries' political landscapes shape citizen engagement and governmental response, making it a valuable resource for understanding diverse political cultures.

Political Parties and Democratic Linkage examines how political parties ensure the functioning of the democratic process in contemporary societies. Based on unprecedented cross-national data, the authors find that the process of party government is still alive and well in most contemporary democracies.

In this excellent book, Russell Dalton uses data from twenty established democracies to assess systematically the multiple individual attributes and contextual factors that influence levels of political activity and to investigate the extent to which participation is characterized by a class based gap. In so doing, he provides a tremendous service for students of citizen political behavior - especially those who, like me, study a single democracy often cited as an outlier when it comes to the way its democracy works. Kay L. Schlozman, J. Joseph Moakley Professor, Boston College

Citizen Politics in Western Public Opinion and Political Parties in the United States, Great Britain, Germany, and France