Immigration Policy Demanders: The Influence of U.S. Interests Groups and the American Electorate on Major Political Party Platforms

Authors

Scott D. Sears, The College of WoosterFollow

Abstract

This Independent Study seeks to understand how political parties create their platforms. Specifically, this study examines how, when, and why political parties cater to the interests of interest groups and the electorate regarding immigration policy. Three qualitative case studies are examined: 1984, 2004, and 2016 party platforms and the corresponding policy preferences of interest groups and the electorate. Bawn et. al’s theory on political parties forms the theoretical framework of this study, which claims that parties are likely to cater to interest groups when political salience is low and parties are likely to cater to the electorate when political salience is high. Ultimately, I find that Bawn et. al’s theory applies well to my case studies. This study provides insight into how parties are motivated to change, especially within the context of immigration.

Advisor

Moskowitz, Eric

Second Advisor

Van Doorn, Bas

Department

Political Science

Recommended Citation

Sears, Scott D., "Immigration Policy Demanders: The Influence of U.S. Interests Groups and the American Electorate on Major Political Party Platforms" (2017). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 7542.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/7542

Disciplines

Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration | Public Policy

Keywords

Immigration, Political Parties, Interest Groups

Publication Date

2017

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis Exemplar