The evolution of American political parties is explored through the lens of programmaticism, which emphasizes competing policy positions over clientelism. Initially rooted in material support exchanges, the shift began in 1856 but has often been confused with increasing polarization. Krimmel's analysis reveals the fluctuating nature of programmaticism, highlighting its resurgence since the 1960s, influenced by the decline of local machine politics and the civil rights movement. She employs a multi-method approach to develop a new measure for tracking this phenomenon in American democracy.
