This text addresses whether and how religion and religious institutions affect American politics. For some time, analysts have argued that the conflicts of the New Deal era rendered cultural differences trivial and placed economic interests at the top of the political agenda. The authors and their collaborators - John C. Green, James L. Guth, Ted G. Jelen, Corwin E. Smidt, Kenneth D. Wald, Michael R. Welch, and Clyde Wilcox - disagree. They find that religious worldviews are still insinuated in American political institutions, and religious institutions still are points of reference. The book profits from the new religiosity measures employed in the 1990 National Election Studies. Part 1 discusses the study of religion in the context of politics. Part II examines religion as a source of group orientation. Part III takes up religious practices and their political ramifications. Part IV does the same for doctrinal and worldview considerations. Part V explores the sources of religious socialisation. In conclusion, Part VI reviews the research on religion and political behaviour and looks ahead to where work should proceed.

This text addresses whether and how religion and religious institutions affect American politics. For some time, analysts have argued that the conflicts of the New Deal era rendered cultural differences trivial and placed economic interests at the top of the political agenda. The authors and their collaborators - John C. Green, James L. Guth, Ted G. Jelen, Corwin E. Smidt, Kenneth D. Wald, Michael R. Welch, and Clyde Wilcox - disagree. They find that religious worldviews are still insinuated in American political institutions, and religious institutions still are points of reference. The book profits from the new religiosity measures employed in the 1990 National Election Studies. Part 1 discusses the study of religion in the context of politics. Part II examines religion as a source of group orientation. Part III takes up religious practices and their political ramifications. Part IV does the same for doctrinal and worldview considerations. Part V explores the sources of religious socialisation. In conclusion, Part VI reviews the research on religion and political behaviour and looks ahead to where work should proceed.

""The Politics of Cultural Differences" is a major theoretical and empirical contribution to the scholarly study of presidential elections, one that will quickly challenge other, more traditional models of voting. It is also an important work of social science that connects with the practical world of politics. Political consultants and journalists will recognize in these pages the strategic behavior of political elites to manipulate the symbols of cultural politics and responses of citizens to those appeals. This masterful book has been dramatically narrowed the gulf between scholars and practitioners of campaigns and elections."--Thomas E. Mann, W. Averell Harriman Chair and Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution

"The fragmentation of political society in the U.S. is a fascinating phenomenon and this is the best book I've seen on that topic. I read it carefully and learned a good deal by doing so. The authors cover a tremendous swath of material and do so in a convincing and authoritative way. Their defection/abstention approach is genuinely fresh and interesting, a major contribution to electoral studies. Because 'primary group affiliations' are so important to so many Americans, the book will tap into a natural, national curiosity (among both voters and journalists) about such matters."--Roderick P. Hart, University of Texas at Austin, author of "Campaign Talk"

""The Politics of Cultural Differences" could have a big impact in political science, pushing the field to devise new ways to see the impact of campaign appeals on individuals in American politics and encouraging a new kind of thoughtfulness about groups in American politics. The book made me think about bigquestions--the connections between thought and action and the role of idea-based and group-based appeals in American politics. The authors' interest in both defection and abstention is especially thought-provoking."--Nancy Burns, University of Michigan, author of "The Formation of American Local Government" and "The Private Roots of Public Action"

The role that race and religion play in American presidential elections is attracting national attention like never before. The 2008 presidential candidates reached out to an unprecedented number of racial and religious voting constituencies including African Americans, Latinos, Muslims, Mainline Protestants, Catholics, Evangelicals, Jews, women, the non-religious, and more. Religion, Race, and the American Presidency focuses on the roles of these racial and religious groups in presidential elections over the last forty years, and in elections since 2000 in particular. Drawing upon survey data, interviews, and case studies of recent presidents, the contributors examine the complicated relationships between American presidents and key racial and religious groups. The paperback edition features a new capstone chapter on the 2008 elections. Contributions by Brian Robert Calfano, David G. Dalin, Paul A. Djupe, Gaston Espinosa, John C. Green, Melissa V. Harris-Lacewell, Lyman A. Kellstedt, So Young Kim, David C. Leege, Laura R. Olson, Corwin Smidt, Katherine E. Stenger, and Adam L. Warber.