American Political Development

Abstract

AbstractAmerican political development (APD) is a subfield of political science which focuses on the dynamics of political change in the United States. Although most APD work is historical in nature, the goal of APD scholarship is not simply to document the past, but rather to understand the temporal patterns and processes that have shaped the development of the American polity. APD scholars typically employ historical‐institutional methodologies, including a focus on the ways in which political action is structured by a pre‐existing landscape of rules, routines, and norms of legitimate action. But while the field is known for its institutional emphasis, APD practitioners have also had a good deal to say about ideas and ideology. This article will survey the field's origins, methodological assumptions, and major achievements, paying particular attention to APD's contributions to the study of political thought.