Part I. How the direct primary arose: -- Catalytic effect of ballot reform -- Legal control of party activity -- Spread of direct nominations -- Part II. Why the direct primary was introduced: -- Reformers versus urban machines -- Impact of party competition -- Explaining an 'irrational' reform -- Reaction and aftermath
Summary
This is the first major study of the origins of direct primary elections in the US since the 1920s. It shows the direct primary was the result of an effort, starting in the late 1880s, by mainstream party politicians
