Democracy, representation, and parties -- Overview: social change and shifting party bases -- Taking shape: party coalitions in the post-bellum nineteenth century -- Republican ascendancy and democratic efforts to respond, 1896-1928 -- Tables turn: the new deal era and democratic dominance, 1932- 1948 -- Democratic drive to the great society -- Republicans: reasserting conservative principles and seeking a majority -- Struggle of democrats to interpret change and respond -- George Bush and further polarization -- 2008 election and its interpretation -- Parties and the pursuit of majorities

1. Political parties -- United States
2. United States -- Politics and government -- 1865-1933
3. United States -- Politics and government -- 20th century
4. United States -- Politics and government -- 2001-2009