American Democracy in Peril: Seven Challenges to America's Future [Paperback]

William E. Hudson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1889119369 | ISBN-13: 978-1889119366 | Publication Date: September 2001 | Edition: 3rd

Provocative and clearly written, this book challenges the reader to reflect on the problems of American democracy. This new and updated third edition expands exploration of what Hudson considers are the major challenges to American democracy: the separation of power: radical individualism: citizen participation: trivialized elections: the privileged position of business: inequality; and the national security system.The book emphasizes such critical and topical political issues as the persistence of economic inequality despite the economic prosperity of the late 1990s; the Clinton scandals and the impeachment controversy; the impact of globalization on business; the role of soft money in the 1996, 1998, and 2000 election campaigns; the post-Cold War national security state; and the consequences of the Gulf War and Kosovo interventions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 306 pages
• Publisher: Chatham House Publishers; 3rd edition (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889119369
• ISBN-13: 978-1889119366
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #890,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Critical Examination of the Fundamentals of US Government, November 29, 2000

By 

Christopher M. Schutte (Anchorage, AK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Democracy in Peril: Seven Challenges to America's Future (Paperback)

William E. Hudson has written an eloquent, insightful, and well-thought critique of the United States system of representative democracy. Hudson confronts the challenges to American democracy raised by campaign finance, the media, radical individualism, and the national security state. Hudson does not shy away from full fledged confrontation with the complacent stereotypes of American politics; instead, he utilizes his sharp wit and insight to cut through the layers of tacit consent which usually shield and protect our system of government to write a book about government as it really is. In an era when understandings about government are shrouded in assumptions and soporifisms, Hudson peels back the layers to expose the American political system and the central problems it carries with it.

1 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Title Correct, November 26, 2002

By 

Aerorad "Dv" (Irvine, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Democracy in Peril: Seven Challenges to America's Future (Chatham House Studies in Political Thinking) (Paperback)

This book is scarey. I read it to find out what they are teaching our kids. It was assigned reading. It advocates the abandondment of our constitutional system of checks and balances that has made us the greatest nation on earth. "Our eighteen-century Constitution has become a major obstacle to achieving democratic government in the twenty-first century" (pg34) - really? The author would prefer a socialist state. The radical left, running our schools, love it and teach this garbage. Why is it one is considered a right wing extremist to want to defend our constitution and have it taught to our kids? He makes broad accusations with no data to back up his statements: "During this period, most Americans were clearly dissatisfied......" (pg47) This is a two star only because it is well written and a window for us all to see the ultimate liberal agenda.