Historic Election Shocks explores transformative election upsets and their profound impact on political realignments. It dissects surprise victories by examining factors defying conventional wisdom, such as socioeconomic anxieties and campaign strategies, and how these reshape political landscapes. The book uniquely argues that election upsets are symptomatic of deeper societal shifts and failures of political institutions. An intriguing fact is how economic downturns fuel voter discontent, creating opportunities for insurgent candidates. Another insight is how successful campaigns capitalize on anxieties by mobilizing overlooked constituencies. The book employs a comparative approach, examining upsets across different countries and time periods to identify common patterns.
Structured in three parts, it first introduces a framework for analyzing surprise elections. Second, it presents detailed case studies, and third, it synthesizes findings to draw broader conclusions about political change. By understanding the underlying dynamics of these shocks, the book offers valuable insights into the fragility of political power and the potential for unexpected change.
