The book "When Movements Anchor Parties" is a groundbreaking exploration of the complex relationships between social movements and political parties in American history.

By examining five prominent movements and their interactions with political parties, Daniel Schlozman reveals how these alliances have shaped the priorities of parties and influenced the available alternatives in national politics.

The book provides a fresh perspective on electoral history, showing how two powerful alliances - those of organized labor and Democrats in the New Deal, and the Christian Right and Republicans since the 1970s - have defined the basic priorities of parties.

However, the book also highlights the challenges faced by other social movements that failed to establish a place inside political parties, such as the abolitionists following the Civil War, the Populists in the 1890s, and the antiwar movement in the 1960s and 1970s.

Throughout the book, Schlozman demonstrates how movements join with parties only when the alliance is beneficial to both, and how this can lead to compromise and partial victories.

Despite the challenges faced by social movements, "When Movements Anchor Parties" offers a compelling argument for why these alliances are essential for achieving meaningful change in American politics.