Beyond the politics of disappointment? : American elections, 1980-1998 / Wilson Carey McWilliams.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [133]-160) and index.

1. Introduction -- 2. Presidential Leadership and Changing Parties: The Election of 1980. The Failure of the Primaries. The Democrats: The Necessity of Party. The New Deal Coalition and the New Deal Family. The Republicans and the New Conservatives -- 3. Old Virtues, New Magic: The Election of 1984. Reagan and the Politics of the Electronic Age. Leadership: Old Values and New America. The Democratic Prospect. After 1984 -- 4. Enchantment's Ending: The Election of 1988. Public Life and Private Media. The Parties and the Nominations. Politics and Memory. Liberalism, Politics, and Economics. Liberalism, Values, and Community. Toward Public Renewal -- 5. Thinking about Tomorrow Worriedly: The Election of 1992. Economic Disorder and the American Civil Order. The Skeptical Search for an Active Government. Public Life and Private Politics. The State of the Political Parties. Social Issues: The Democrats and Race. Social Issues: The Republicans and Religion.

The Emerging American Politics -- 6. Uncertainties at Midcrossing: The Election of 1996. Clinton's Victory: The Uncertain Economy. Clinton's Victory: The Uncertain Community. Republican Alternatives, Democratic Responses. Politics and the American Future -- 7. Beyond Disappointment?: Exhaustion and Hope in the Elections of 1998 -- App. A. The 1980 Presidential Vote -- App. B. The 1984 Presidential Vote -- App. C. The 1988 Presidential Vote -- App. D. The 1992 Presidential Vote -- App. E. The 1996 Presidential Vote.