Every four years, The State of the Parties brings readers up to date on party action in election years and in between. With the dual themes of continuity and change characterizing the new edition, this essential party primer includes: three new chapters on party roles in the 2008 election, a section on the impact of party resources for the campaign, extensive coverage of party mobilization efforts via the Internet and local activity, and new chapters covering topics ranging from Republicans' fall from grace to party governance under Nancy Pelosi to President Obama's role in party politics, and as always, a distinguished roster of contributors.

Contributions by Kira C. Allmann, William C. Binning, Melanie J. Blumberg, Mark D. Brewer, R. Lawrence Butler, Melody Crowder-Meyer, Aaron Dusso, Gregory Fortelny, Brendan Glavin, John S. Jackson III, Raymond J. La Raja, Rebekah E. Liscio, David Magleby, Michael J. Malbin, Daniel Maliniak, J. Quin Monson, Costas Panagopoulos, Kelly D. Patterson, John R. Petrocik , Matthew Pietryka, Jeremy C. Pope, Ronald B. Rapoport, Howard L. Reiter, Nancy L. Rosenblum, Daniel M. Shea, Walter J. Stone, Jeffrey M. Stonecash, Richard M. Skinner, and Barbara Trish.