Adam Silver

Explores the development of political parties in nineteenth-century United States of America through an extensive analysis of the official statements by a party in an election, the party platforms, and their connection with political elites and voters. Indicates how party leaders reconciled local, state, and national conflicts and articulated their electoral appeals to various constituencies by showing discussions of their respective policies. Mentions party platforms are a valuable vehicle to assess electoral strategy and party development”.

Explores the national and state party platforms of the Democrats, Whigs, and Republicans in the Nineteenth-Century United States to assess the relative weight of socioeconomic and cultural issues in the relationship between political elites and the electorate. Finds elites chose to focus on socioeconomic issues more than cultural in their platforms, and only emphasized the cultural issues when necessary.

Explores the interaction of the elites of the Democrats and Whig/Republicans in forging their electoral message throughout nineteenth-century America. Finds inter-party polarization and conflict, in which the two major parties tended to emphasize the same issues and offer divergent positions in their platforms.

Assesses the writings and legacies of Howard Zinn. Focuses on Zinn as a scholar-activist, whose legacies engage the academy, activism, and the arts.