Includes bibliographical references (pages 285-296) and index
1. Overview -- 2. Opportunistic Models -- 3. Partisan Models -- 4. Political Cycles in the United States -- 5. Polls, Electoral Uncertainty, and the Economy -- 6. Political Cycles in Industrial Economies -- 7. Political Cycles and Macroeconomic Policies: Evidence from Industrial Democracies -- 8. Political Cycles and Central Bank Independence -- 9. Political Parties, Institutions, and Budget Deficits -- 10. Conclusions