The Search for American Political Development

Orren and Skowronek survey past and current 'APD' scholarship and outline a course of study for the future.

A justification for studying politics historically, not only for what it reveals about the roots of contemporary political affairs but what it teaches about politics as an ongoing activity in time, anytime. The authors survey past and current scholarship, attempting to outline a course of study for the future.In recent years, American political development has claimed the attention of a growing band of political scientists, and scholars have begun to speak of 'APD' as a subfield within the discipline. This book provides a justification for studying politics historically, not only for what it reveals about the roots of political affairs at the present time but what it teaches about politics as an ongoing activity in time, anytime. Placing the character of political institutions at the center of analysis, Orren and Skowronek survey past and current scholarship and attempt to outline a course of study for the future.