The State of Disunion

"Mellow gives a valuable account of the political economy of the shift, linking regional differences in congressional votes on trade, welfare, and abortion to changes in regional political economy, particularly the move of industry from the North and Pacific to the South and interior West."

"A solid study of how region affects partisanship in contemporary America."

"Mellow's work offers important insights into the development of the American party system and will help us understand its future. We should keep her thesis in mind."

"This is a well-written discussion of the continuing and growing significance of political geography in American politics, and a reminder that regions are politically defined by more than their economic characteristics. Professor Mellow focuses on issues that are of particular relevance to the contemporary era."

"Rather than strengthening American democracy, Mellow argues, nationalized partisanship has fractured it. With meticulous research and subtle analysis, this book comes to a provocative conclusion: nearly a century and a half after the Union was preserved, the country is once again at risk of becoming a 'house divided against itself.' "

"An insightful and important book. By analyzing congressional voting patterns on key issues (trade, welfare, abortion) within broad historical contexts, Mellow illuminates how politicians’ strategies, responding to changes in the economies and cultures of geographic regions, can destroy old national party systems, create new ones, and sharpen partisan polarization."

"This important book spans American history, economics, and culture to explain why the nation splits into blue versus red states. Nicole Mellow suggests that the regional differences may be growing and warns us about the consequences for our democracy. Wise, ambitious, elegant, alarming, and highly recommended."