The two-party system is America's greatest contribution to free government. Yet, as the nation prepares for congressional elections, popular dissatisfaction with the two major parties is high. In this course, we examine the emergence of mass democracy in the United States and the origin and persistence of two-party politics. Topics include the anti-party attitudes of the nation's founders, the organization of the nation's first two political parties, the establishment of a two-party system, and the subsequent crises and voter revolutions that have remade the parties and American government. We will examine party realignments, changes in party identification and voting behavior, party reforms, and the decline of political parties in the twentieth century. Course requirement for most students: occasional short papers (1-2 pages) on the reading, midterm, and choice of final exam or final paper. Course requirements for upper-level writing students: several short papers (2-3 pages) on the reading and final paper.