When we start getting into political parties - in both 2305 and 2306 - we'll look at the history of party eras. The story varies slightly since we take a more in-depth look in 2305 and focus mostly at Texas in 2306. But we look at the recent shift from Democratic to Republican dominance in the states in both classes. I tend to spend more time looking at the Democratic side of the story, the national party's embrace of civil rights which drove southern Democrats away, as well as the shift in the Texas economy from an agrarian to business base.
I don't look at the Republican side of the story as much as I should. Just as progressives in the Democratic coalition drove out the Southern conservatives, ideologically driven conservatives in the Republican coalition did the same to moderate and liberal Republicans and redefined what it means to be a party member.
A recent book - Rule and Ruin: The Downfall of Moderation and the Destruction of the Republican Party, from Eisenhower to the Tea Party - tries to explain this shift with some detail.
Some recent reviews condense the story.
- Rule and Ruin: When and why did the Republican Party tip so far to the right?
- “Rule and Ruin” by Geoffrey Kabaservice.
- Ancient History.
- The GOP’s Reality-Based Community
- Click here for an interview with the author.
