Political Campaigns Concepts, Context, and Consequences

In Political Campaigns: Concepts, Context, and Consequences, Costas Panagopoulos provides students with insight into the inner workings of contemporary campaign structures by combining findings drawn from vast amounts of scholarly research with an astute insider's perspective. The text focuses on three key elements of contemporary campaigning-"Concepts, Context, and Consequences"-examining the significance of each element as it relates to the topics discussed. "Context" refers to the political, institutional, legal, and regulatory landscapes in which contemporary campaigns operate. These conditions impact a campaign's decision-making strategies. In turn, these choices yield important implications, or "Consequences," not only for the individual campaign but also for society at large. Topics discussed include parties, interest groups, and the media; money and the modern campaign; campaign strategy; getting out the vote; technology and contemporary campaigns; and much more.

Political Campaigns is part of the Oxford Series on Elections, Campaigns, and Democracy. Edited by Michael R. Alvarez (California Institute of Technology), this new series features comprehensive and accessible, as well as specialized, texts for courses in elections, public opinion, and voting behavior.

Costas Panagopoulos is Professor of Political Science at Fordham University, where he currently serves as Director of the Center for Electoral Politics and Democracy, and Director of the Graduate Program in Elections and Campaign Management. A leading expert on campaigns and elections, voting behavior, media and public opinion, political psychology, and campaign finance, Professor Panagopoulos has co-authored or edited several books, including Politicking Online: The Transformation of Election Campaigns Communications (2009) and Public Financing in American Elections (2011). He is currently the editor of American Politics Research.

Chapter 1: Modern Political Campaigns: Why and How They (May) Matter
When (And How) Campaigns Matter
Campaign Structure and Organization
Transition from Party-Centered to Candidate-Centered Elections
Growth and Professionalization of the Political Consulting Profession
Organization of the Book

Chapter 2: Layers of Democracy: Federal, State, and Local Campaigns
Levels of American Elections: Variation across States
The Implications of Structural and Legal Variations for Democratic Norms
The Role of Competitive Elections
Implications of Competitive Elections Across the United States for Democratic Norms
Campaign Finance and Consequences
The Nationalization of State and Local Campaigns
Conclusion

Chapter 3: External Actors: Parties, Interest Groups, and the Media
Political Parties: Changing Contexts
Consequences for Norms
Interest groups: Changing Contexts
Consequences for Democracy
Media: Changing Context
Consequences for Democracy
Conclusion

Chapter 4: Money and the Modern Campaign
Contemporary Campaign Finance Regulations and Fundraising
Campaign Finance Regulations, Budgeting, and Spending Resources
Effects of Campaign Spending in Elections
Outside Actors: Issue Advocacy, Independent Expenditure Groups and Super PACs
Consequences for Democracy
Conclusion

Chapter 5: Campaign Strategy
Campaign Research: What's Important?
Context Matters: Campaign Strategy in Presidential Elections.
Targeting Voters
Polling to Develop Campaign Strategy
Opposition Research
Message Development and Timing
Consequences for Democracy

Chapter 6: Getting the Word Out
Revisiting the Basics of Campaign Messaging
Paid Media
Earned Media
Effective Management of Messaging

Chapter 7: Getting Out the Vote
Grassroots Mobilization: An Overview
Advances in Field Experiments
Consequences for Democracy
Conclusion

Chapter 8: Vote Choice
The Role of Cues and Candidate Traits
The Role of Personality Traits, Genetic Predispositions, and Voter Psychology
The Role of Affect and Emotions
Implications of Personality, Genetics, and Emotion
Consequences for Democracy
Conclusion

Chapter 9: Technology and Contemporary Campaigns
Campaign Software and Data Availability
Online Presence and Social Media Platforms
Consequences for Democracy

Chapter 10: Contemporary Campaigns and the Evolving Electoral Process
Electoral Reforms: Voter Registration & Voting Procedures
Challenges for Campaigns
Future Reforms?
Consequences for Democracy

Chapter 11: Political Campaigns in International Context
Differences in Registration and Turnout
Differences in Media and Political Communication
Differences in Campaign Finance
Developments in New Technologies
Consequences for Democracy

Chapter 12: Assessments and Reflections on the Future of Political Campaigns