Intraparty and Interparty Variations of Issue Salience in Southern Parties

Authors

  • Shannon L. Bridgmon

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15763/issn.2374-7781.2010.31.0.245-275

Abstract

Political parties have many purposes, but their primary goal is to capture elected office (Aldrich 1995). They also serve as quasi-public organizations that mobilize the electorate and organize political debate. Previous research (Budge and Farlie 1977, 1983; Petrocik 1981, 1996) suggests that parties will emphasize issues that provide them an electoral or policy advantage. However, little exists to determine if this pattern extends to state and regional politics. This study measures the levels of importance southern political parties attach to various issues, as expressed through each state party’s platform. State party platforms of southern states in effect during 2009 will serve as the data for this study. After determining levels of issue salience variations among and within southern states, this study confirms that parties emphasize issues to maximize electoral prospects.

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Published

2010-11-01

Issue

Vol. 31: Fall 2010

Section

Articles

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