What is a good history of American politics, especially the development of the two major parties?

Question

I have followed the revisions for the past forty or fifty years in person. I know Kevin Phillips' The Emerging Republican Majority very well.

But when and why did the Republican Party become identified as the party of corporate America? And the Democrats as the party of the working class and the poor? How did the Democratic Party become the home of the Solid South; hence, associated with racist "states' rights"? And how did Teddy Roosevelt's reforms of Big Business and Eisenhower's warning against the military/industrial complex, originate within the Republican Party.

I'm looking for a good book (or books) that might address such questions as these.

Answer 1

There are two books (one on each party) that I found very helpful. 1. The Grand Old Party - by Lewis Gould
2. Party of the People - by Jules Witcover
These are recent (within the last 4 years) books and are thorough. (over 500 pages each)

Answer 2

Great question. I know so woefully little about politics that I can offer no answer here. But I also know so little about the subject that I could not even have posed the question. Just wanted to let you know that I too am learning here, as I expect many are. Yes, in addition to being a questioner and an answerer I am also shamelessly parasitic on the questions and answers of others. Truly I know no shame!

Answer 3

To understand the politics, you first have to understand the economics. The link below is a good start, you could also look for several other documentaries including (many are free online):

Why We Fight
The Power of Nightmares
The Money Masters
Terrorstorm