James A. Stimson is Raymond Dawson Professor of Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the author of numerous articles and essays of macro theory, political economy, voting behaviour, and methodology. He coauthored, with Edward G. Carmines, Issue Evolution: Race and the Transformation of American Politics (1989).

Preface to the Second Edition -- Preface to the First Edition: An Unfinished Essay? -- Public Opinion? -- The Concept of Policy Mood -- Developing a Measure of Mood -- The Components of Mood -- An Electoral Connection? -- Reflections on the Present and Future of American Politics -- An Algorithm for Estimating Mood -- Selected Data Series -- Selected Domestic Policy Survey Questions

Dealing with public opinion in America as an institution, James Stimson amasses an unrivaled database from public opinion surveys over the years and marshals it in presenting his theory of public mood swings and cycles. The book is ideal for introductory courses in American government.