About the lecture

In this module, we outline the US Party System, focusing in particular on: (i) the formation of the party system; (ii) present-day party polarisation as exemplified by the January 6th Capitol Riot; (iii) the distinguishing features of the two main parties and how this shapes voting behaviour; (iv) how party polarisation affects the health of American democracy, before rounding up with (v) an outline of the course.

About the lecturer

Dr Mark McLay is a Lecturer in American History, with specialty in the post-1960 United States. He works on American wars, both domestic and foreign. His first book, published in 2021, examines the Republican party's challenge to Democratic president Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. His recent publications also include 'A high-wire crusade: Republicans and the War on Poverty, 1966' in the Journal of American History.