Catholics and Politics

"This outstanding anthology of a dozen essays on Catholics in U.S. politics by political scientists fills a void in political science literature."—Voice of Reason

"This readable and impressive collection advances the study of religion and politics by accomplishing, as does no other existing volume, such a thorough analysis of the behavioral patterns, constraints upon action, and possibilities for innovation that American Catholics and especially Catholic politicians face."—Theological Studies

"Important addition to the discussion regarding the role of Catholics in American politics."—American Catholic Studies

"A comprehensive analysis of the empirical and normative, the historical and contemporary, and the domestic and international dynamics of Catholics and political life. An invaluable resource for theologians and political scientists."—Clarke E. Cochran, Covenant Health System

"An excellent collection of diverse essays that does justice to the remarkably complex role that Catholics and the Catholic Church play in U.S. politics. Going well beyond facile notions of a unified 'Catholic vote,' the contributors show us that Catholics, Catholic institutions, and Catholic ideas permeate nearly every facet of contemporary American politics. This volume is an indispensable sourcebook for anyone seeking to understand the political role of this unavoidable religious community."—Timothy Byrnes, professor of political science, Colgate University

"From the courts to Congress, pivotal for both political parties, swelling with the influx of Latino, Asian, and African immigrants, and with former waves of European ethnics now fully assimilated in education and wealth, Catholics have never enjoyed such a vantage of numbers and position. . . . A must have text for any assessment of these new Catholic realities."—Stephen Schneck, director, Life Cycle Institute, The Catholic University of America

"One of the few books that systematically and effectively takes account of Catholic politics in its multifarious forms. It achieves a rare balance of providing an excellent and comprehensive overview of that complex world, while also offering a theory to better understand this important and diverse religious and political phenomenon."—J. Christopher Soper, Pepperdine University