"American Political Parties and Elections: A Very Short Introduction examines the electoral process in the United States and explains why it is widely misunderstood. Why is participation in elections so much lower in the United States than in other mature democracies? What role do the political parties play in the electoral process? And why do unregulated groups such as 527 advocacy organizations have as much, if not more, influence than candidates' campaign organizations? This VSI examines these and other issues to provide an insider's view of how the system actually works and why there remain only two main political parties, despite the fact that many citizens claim allegiance to neither and think badly of both"-- Provided by publisher.

Second edition: 2016.

1. The context of American elections and political parties -- 2. A brief history of American political parties -- 3. Party organizations : What do they look like? What do they do? -- 4. Who are Republicans? Who are Democrats? Who are the "others"? -- 5. Presidential elections : nominating campaigns and general elections -- 6. Subnational nominations and elections -- 7. Far from the perfect democracy.