Customer Reviews

Three's a Crowd: The Dynamic of Third Parties, Ross Perot, and Republican Resurgence

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is not only one of the most interesting books on the American political system that I've read over the years, but also one of the most accessible. Three's A Crowd is an exceptionally well-written and intellectual book that will appeal to academics, students, and the curious reader alike. Rapoport and Stone do an excellent job of developing their theory and supporting it with years of careful research. To anyone who has ever wondered why the American two-party system is the way that it is (and under what conditions that might be changed), I highly recommend this book.

Third parties have always interested me and I found that this book explained why and how they exist. It gave me a real understanding of what political circumstances will give rise to new party (what do we need to look out for!) I truly admired Ross Perot and this book explains his rise and fall objectively. They don't sugar-coat his candidacy, but they give it the respect it deserves.

The authors announce that third parties may make a difference in a presidential election. One wonders if Abe Lincoln could have benefited from this remarkable insight.
Thousands of words arranged in leaden and nearly indecipherable poli-sci English (?) brings forth not even a mouse. If only George Orwell were still living--what fun he would have reviewing this "acadaspeak".
O well, profs must publish, or they might perish-or take a meaningful job of work.In the latter case, at least the trees would gain.