The Consequences of Party Reform in the Twenty-First Century

Abstract

Nominating conventions culminate a lengthy process. Formal public goals of conventions include nominating presidential and vice-presidential candidates and adopting party platforms. Sustained media focus enables parties to introduce rising stars, formulate policy initiatives, strengthen party connections, and mobilize members to work on behalf of the party and candidates. Changes in delegate selection rules following the party reforms in the late 1960s reflect emerging tensions about party roles while nominating conventions matter far less in presidential nominations than in the past. Party roles as intermediaries between the public and the government are compromised in their efforts to attract increasingly detached and disinterested voters. As more voters focus on single issues, and are weakly tied to parties, party organizations are less involved in nominations as such processes become ever more candidate centered.

This chapter is dedicated to Dr. Howard Reiter (1946–2012), Professor Emeritus, University of Connecticut.