Boomerang: Health Care Reform and the Turn against Government [Paperback]

Theda Skocpol (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 1997

How did the debate on health reform turn into the most concerted attack on government in recent American history?

In this incisive account, a prize-winning social scientist offers deep insights into the changing terrain of U.S. politics and public policy. Because of far-reaching changes in the Reagan era, Theda Skocpol shows, the Clinton Health Security bill became a perfect foil for antigovernment mobilization. Thus its defeat provides a unique window into the new political landscape.

Editorial Reviews

Review

As readable as it is insightful, Boomerang sketches the sources economic, institutional, political of President Clinton's dire defeat on health care reform in 1994, a pivotal precursor of that year's congressional elections. . . . A compelling story. . . . Required reading for president-watchers and policy designers alike, indeed for anyone concerned about American institutions. (Richard E. Neustadt )

Remarkably thorough and perceptive. . . . [A] major contribution. (Alan Brinkley, Columbia University, author of The End of Reform )

Painfully honest and insightful. [Boomerang] forces progressives to ask fundamental questions about their theoretical assumptions. . . . (Stanley B. Greenberg, author of Middle Class Dreams )

A grim yet instructive diagnosis of what ails the American body politic. (Robert Schmuhl - Philadelphia Inquirer )

About the Author

Theda Skocpol is professor of government and sociology at Harvard University and the author of Boomerang: Health Care Reform and the Turn Against Government.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 2 edition (April 17, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039331572X
• ISBN-13: 978-0393315721
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #254,526 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Theda Skocpol is the Victor S. Thomas Professor of Government and Sociology at Harvard University, a member of the National Academy of Sciences, and past president of the American Political Science Association.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fine, scholarly work on an important event, February 6, 2000

By 

Todd Winer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boomerang: Health Care Reform and the Turn against Government (Paperback)

This book promises to explain to the reader why the Clinton health care plan failed. The author does this rather well, pointing out how flaws in Clinton's "selling" of the program along with the disunity of sympathetic interest groups could not match the unity and purpose of Republican opponents. It is important to remember that Ms. Skocpol is a scholar, which can be good and bad. Her work is scholarly so it is well-proven (like a scholar) but also very narrow in scope (also, sadly, like a scholar). If you want an analysis of what went on behind closed doors in the 1993-94 fight or want a real discussion on the merits of health care reform, go elsewhere. But if you want an analysis solely on "why Clinton failed," this book does a very good job.

0 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Skocpol does it again, December 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Boomerang: Health Care Reform and the Turn against Government (Paperback)

Theda Skocpol's "Boomerang" is nearly as interesting and sharp as her opinions. It's another winner.