It's Even Worse Than It Looks (Revised and Expanded Edition): How the American Constitutional System Collided with the New Politics of Extremism - Softcover

Ornstein, Norman; Mann, Thomas

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0465096204 ISBN 13: 9780465096206

Publisher: Basic Books, 2016

Synopsis

Hyperpartisanship has gridlocked the American government. Congress's approval ratings are at record lows, and both Democrats and Republicans are disgusted by the government's inability to get anything done. In It's Even Worse than It Looks, Congressional scholars Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein present a grim picture of how party polarization and tribal politics have led Congress- and the United States- to the brink of institutional failure.In this revised edition, the authors bring their seminal book up-to-date in a political environment that is more divided than ever. The underlying dynamics of the situation- extremist Republicans holding government hostage to their own ideological, anti-government beliefs- have only gotten worse, further bolstering their argument that Republicans are not merely ideologically different from Democrats, but engaged in a unique form of politics that undermines the system itself. Without a fundamental change in the character and course of the Republican Party, we may have a long way to go before we hit rock bottom.

About this title

Review:

"More than anytime in my lifetime, the United States is challenged at home and so is our place in the world. When Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein get together to sound a loud alarm about the way our political system is being torn apart, it's time to listen--and listen hard. Then the tough part how do we restore some sense of common purpose, of working together to make our government work? Mann and Ornstein set out ways to rebuild political bridges, beginning right now. We better get to work." se --Chuck Hagel, U.S. Senator (1997-2009), Distinguished Professor, Georgetown University

One doesn't have to agree with every one of Mann and Ornstein's proposals to appreciate the extraordinary contribution to improving governance that they make in this important book. We could do no better than to use it as a compelling blueprint for urgently needed reform. If every member of Congress would read just one book on the subject, my wish is that it would be this one. --E. J. Dionne, author of "Our Divided Political Heart"

"The phrase 'essential reading' does not begin to get at the importance of this passionate warning by two of our very best political scientists about our nation's capacity to govern itself. Mann and Ornstein sweep aside the timid conventional wisdom to inform Americans that our problems are even worse than we think they are. It is absolutely vital that this book's findings and message enter the consciousness and consciences of journalists, politicians and citizens who care about the future of our republic. --"William Jefferson Clinton, 42nd President of the United States of America"

Book Description:

"[Mann and Ornstein] have done the public a great service-and have been much braver than many in the media, the think tanks, or Congress-in using their personal credibility to clearly describe what has happened to American politics in recent years, and who is primarily to blame."-Ezra Klein, New York Review of Books

About this edition

• Publisher: Basic Books
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0465096204
• ISBN 13: 9780465096206
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272