Research/Publications
Recent Books by Eagleton Faculty
The Eagleton Institute of Politics is proud to note publication of these books by members of its faculty and staff.
Fundamentals of Democracy: Lesson Plans for High School Civics, Government and U.S. History Classes
(National Conference of State Legislatures, July 2009) -
Alan Rosenthal, professor of public policy, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University.
These lessons about the fundamentals of representative democracy are designed mainly for civics and American government courses taught at the high-school level. They can also be used in American history courses. The lessons relate to core themes that lie at the very center of American government and politics, and practically every lesson needs to be built on it. They are adapted to state standards for civics and government.
The project is sponsored by the Alliance for Representative Democracy, a partnership of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the Center for Civic Education (CCE), and the Center on Congress at Indiana University (CCIU).
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Engines of Democracy: Policy and Policymaking in State Legislatures
(College Publishing Group, October 2008) - Alan Rosenthal, professor of public policy, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University.
Rosenthal brings together a lifetime of research and experience on state legislative politics into one eminently readable volume — a dynamic, inside view of the people involved, the politics that prevail, and the interest groups and lobbyists who advocate their causes. Building on earlier work with new data and recent interviews and observations, Rosenthal looks at the way representation works, Americans’ critical view of their legislatures, the role of legislative leaders, the dynamics of executive-legislative relationships, as well as norms and ethics. Both a complement and contrast to the policymaking process on Capitol Hill, Engines of Democracy proves that no one gives insight into state legislators and their work the way Alan Rosenthal can.
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Waste Is A Terrible Thing To Mind: Risk, Radiation and Distrust of Government
(Rutgers University/Rivergate, 2007) – John Weingart, associate director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University
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Where Women Run: Gender and Party in the American States
(University of Michigan Press, July 2006) - Kira Sanbonmatsu, associate professor of political science, Rutgers University and CAWP senior scholar.
Why are certain states more likely to have female candidates and legislators? Would strengthening political parties alter the situation? These questions are considered in Where Women Run. Drawing on surveys and case studies of party leaders and legislators in six states, the author analyzes the links between parties and representation, exposing the mechanism by which parties’ informal recruitment practices shape who runs – or doesn’t run – for political office in the United States.
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Gender and Elections: Shaping the Future of American Politics 
(Cambridge University Press, 2006) - edited by CAWP senior scholar Susan J. Carroll and Richard L. Fox, associate professor of political science at Union College.
What can we learn from the 2004 elections about women in American politics – whether as candidates or voters? Find a variety of answers in this book, which sets the information in historical context and looks ahead to upcoming elections.
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A New Engagement?: Political Participation, Civic Life, and the Changing American Citizen
(Oxford University Press, 2006) - Cliff Zukin, professor of public policy at Rutgers University, Scott Keeter, Molly Andolina, Krista Jenkins, and Michael X. Delli Carpini.
This book challenges the conventional wisdom that today's youth is plagued by a severe case of political apathy. It discusses the changing nature of citizen engagement in American society.
Instead of participating less, young people may be participating differently. Using the results from an original set of surveys on civic engagement and many other surveys tracking participation over the past 50 years, the authors conclude that young people do not lag behind their elders in volunteering, community activism, and using the economic muscle of consumerism.
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Negative Campaigning: An Analysis of U.S. Senate Elections
(Rowman & Littlefield, 2004) - Richard R. Lau, Professor of Political Science and director the Walt Whitman Center for the Study of Elections, Campaigns,and Democracy; Gerald M. Pomper, Board of Governors Professor of Political Science (Emeritus)
Negative Campaigning is a timely and important book written by two leading political scientists. Using sound evidence and much good sense, these scholars have truly advanced our understanding of attack politics in Senate elections. Political observers of all stripes should, after reading this book, be less worried about the pernicious effects of negativity on our political system. There is far too much negativity about negativity and this book provides a much-needed corrective to such views.
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Ordinary Heroes and American Democracy
(Yale University, 2004) - Gerald Pomper, Board of Governors Professor of Political Science (Emeritus)
Pomper's inspiring book provokes us to think about how American democracy and
American political institutions foster the heroism of ordinary people.
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Heavy Lifting: The Job of the American Legislature
(CQ Press, 2004) - Alan Rosenthal, Professor of Public Policy and Political Science
Heavy Lifting is the best overview of state legislatures I have seen so far. Alan Rosenthal is a
seasoned and astute observer, using colorful stories to present a balanced view of legislatures that
ranges between cynical and worshipful. His study is comprehensive, covering almost every
conceivable aspect of legislatures, and he gives wonderful insight as to what makes for successful legislative leadership.