News Releases

New Book on Who Participates in Politics and Why

February 29, 2008

In the midst of one of the most unusual and historically significant presidential campaigns in history, a new book explores who participates in politics and why, and how social and political institutions shape that involvement.

“Explaining Politics: Culture, Institutions, and Political Behavior” by Oliver H. Woshinsky, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Southern Maine (USM), shows how psychology, personality and ideology, together with culture and institutions, shape political behavior. The book, which was published by Routledge Press in January, was written for the general reader and the beginning student of politics,

Woshinsky earned his Ph.D. from Yale University and taught politics at USM for three decades.  Author of five previous books, he now devotes full time to research and writing. He has long been a commentator on public affairs, and is quoted extensively by local, state and national media outlets.

Woshinsky is available for interviews on such issues as the race for the presidency, voting trends and party allegiances, and the effect of the media, the Electoral College, and political parties.

To arrange an interview, contact Woshinsky at oliver@usm.maine.edu, 207-773-1169. For assistance, call Bob Caswell or Judie O’Malley of the USM Office of Public Affairs at the numbers or e-mail addresses listed above.

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