Modern American Political Dynasties: A Study of Power, Family, and Political Influence

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This collection of entries offers a front seat view of the rise, reign, and fall of powerful modern political families and examines the effects they have had on political, social, and economic issues in American society. Modern American Political Dynasties: A Study of Power, Family, and Political Influence is a unique research resource and fascinating read that explores the dynamics and modern America's most influential political families. It provides a thorough study of approximately 20 of the best-known surnames in 20th-century American politics. More than just a biography, it highlights how these families' dynamics have influenced political practice and thought, providing a holistic context for the evolution of political dynasties in the United States. The text includes a historically grounded examination of the crossroads of family and politics as it charts the origins, development, peak strength, and decline of each family. It is the only published volume to include biographical and contextual information on major political dynasties in addition to fascinating research on high-profile personalities. The book is for any research institution collection and will be of interest to both academics and general readers interested in American history and politics.

Reviews

This up-to-date and accessible volume connects the histories of some of Americas most noteworthy political families to important themes in American political development. Its detailed case studies of dynasties at the national, state, and local levels offer a unique lens for viewing the political history of the United States. * Daniel M. Smith, Harvard University, USA *
With populism and extremism challenging democracy worldwide, this timely edited volume takes a different and illuminating path by exploring the paradoxical role and life cycle of family dynasties in a political system that elevates the individual, and today, the outsider. By a systematic and detailed examination of national, state, regional, and local dynasties the authors have linked history and political science (as well as the psychology of family dynamics) to demonstrate how families accrue wealth, recognition, and unity to gain and wield power and to both shape and adapt to changing political settings. This important and readable work should be required reading in undergraduate and graduate courses and should also generate international comparative studies of family dynasties in both democratic and non-democratic systems. * Raphael J. Sonenshein, Executive Director, Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, California State University, Los Angeles, USA *

Author Bio

Kathleen A. Gronnerud is associate faculty member in history at Saddleback Community College, USA. Scott J. Spitzer is associate professor of political science at California State University, Fullerton, USA.