The parties versus the people : how to turn Republicans and Democrats into Americans / Mickey Edwards.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Edwards, Mickey, 1937-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political parties--United States.

Political parties.

Democracy--United States.

Democracy.

Polarization (Social sciences)--United States.

Polarization (Social sciences).

Two-party systems--United States.

Two-party systems.

Divided government--United States.

Divided government.

Genre:

Dust jackets.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (233 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New Haven : Yale University Press, c2012.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

America's political system is dysfunctional. While this is a widely held view, it is a problem that-so far-has proved intractable. After every election, voters discover yet again that political ";leaders"; are simply quarreling in a never-ending battle between the two warring tribes, the Republicans and Democrats. In this critically important book, a distinguished statesman and thinker identifies exactly how our political and governing systems reward intransigence, discourage compromise, and undermine our democracy. He then describes exactly what must be done to banish the negative effects of partisan warfare from our political system. As a former congressman, Mickey Edwards witnessed firsthand how important legislative battles can devolve into struggles not over principle but over party advantage. He offers graphic examples of how this problem has intensified and reveals how political battles have become nothing more than conflicts between party machines. Edwards's solutions-specific, practical, fair, and original-show the way to break the stranglehold of the political party system. The Parties Versus the People offers hope for a fundamental renewal of American democracy.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

One. American Tribalism

Two. The Disappearing Dream

Three. Reclaiming Our Democracy

Four. Drawing a Line in the Sand

Five. The Money Stream

Six. Government Leaders, Not Party Leaders

Seven. Debate and Democracy

Eight. Rearrange the Furniture

Nine. Rivals, Not Enemies

Ten. The Partisan Presidency

Eleven. Declarations of Independence

Twelve. Beyond Partisanship

Thirteen. The Way Forward

Appendix: Citizen Initiative Information by State

Notes

Suggested Reading

Index

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9786613883780

9781283571333

1283571331

9780300186024

0300186029

OCLC:

811005772