The Great Game of Politics: Why We Elect, Whom We Elect [Hardcover]

Dick Stoken (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0765307324 | ISBN-13: 978-0765307323 | Publication Date: January 1, 2004 | Edition: First Edition

From our nation's inception there has been a constant dynamic of tension between those political philosophies that we have labeled the left and the right, despite the fact that the vast majority of American voters really fall into the category of moderates. During the early years, the shifts between the two were dramatic and frequent: the Federalists on one side, the Jeffersonians on the other, as the young democracy came to grips with the two opposing political forces that were to mold the new nation. On one hand we have the concerned with business, conservatism, and the development of capital and wealth. They want the government to provide security that will protect the nation's interest while allowing free-market forces to increase prosperity. On the other hand we have the left, concerned with personal rights, equality, and the fostering of prosperity for all citizens through an active and involved federal government.
By explicating the Presidency from George Washington to George W. Bush,
The Great Game of Politics examines the American Presidency as a cyclic reflection of the concerns of the electorate vis à vis the excitation of the ideologies of our two major parties in a constant left-right swing where the will of the people sets the pendulum in motion and determines the direction the country will take for another four years. From the early years, where the dynamic tension that forged the nation initially required numerous shifts to establish an acceptable political equilibrium, to the revered legacies of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, whose presidencies not only initiated major political shifts but also instituted fundamental changes in the apparatus of government that would prove to be integral to the administrations that followed them, both Democratic and Republican.
They seized the reins of government and made a lasting mark. Indeed the truly great presidents¾Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Jackson, Lincoln, Theodore and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Reagan¾shaped the course of history for our nation and in doing so proved themselves to be masters of The Great Game of Politics.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Stoken's view, American history is not a "patternless swirl of events," but rather follows a very simple pattern: a continual shifting back and forth between liberal and conservative philosophies in nine eras, or paradigms, whose agendas were set by the nine presidents Stoken considers to have been great (the inclusion of Washington and Lincoln won't surprise anyone; that of Coolidge might). For instance, the New Deal/Great Society era initiated by Franklin Roosevelt was followed by the current conservative era of the New Economy, whose agenda was set by Ronald Reagan. Beginning with the battle between Alexander Hamilton's Federalists and Thomas Jefferson's democrats, Stoken sees a political battle between those who want to limit government and provide wealth (conservatives) and those who want to use government in order to secure equality and individual rights (liberals). It's a creative approach that allows for framing American history in nice, neat windows-perhaps a bit too neat. These paradigms are based on the current Republican and Democratic parties, and as Stoken himself admits, they don't always fit the past so well. Serious students of the American presidency will find Stoken's thinking a bit simplistic as well as present-minded. And Stoken, an investor who has written several investment books (The Great Cycle; Strategic Investment Timing), writes more like a motivational speaker - he's prone to exclamation points - than a historian. But less-schooled readers may find some help in thinking about the approaching 2004 election.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Stoken, whose previous titles include Cycles (1978) and The Great Cycle (1993), here extends the cycle theme into politics, writing of the constant ebb and flow between conservatism and liberalism. This tension posits competing views of the Right (favoring business, the development of capital and wealth, and national security to protect that activity) and the Left (concerned with personal rights and a strong federal government actively pursuing equality of prosperity for all). There is nothing earthshaking here as Stoken lays out an analytical framework to track this ebb and flow back to George Washington's administration. He calls this framework the nine political paradigms of the presidency and devotes a chapter to each ("The Federalists," "The Jeffersonian Democracy," "The New Nationalism," "The New Democrats," "Late-Nineteenth-Century Transition," "The Progressives," "The New Era," "The New Deal/Great Society," and "The New Economy"). All "paradigms" end badly or are philosophically exhausted, thus resulting in a shift to the other side and the birth of a new "paradigm." Interesting and timely writing, especially for those who like their theories neatly packaged. Allen Weakland
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books; First Edition edition (January 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765307324
• ISBN-13: 978-0765307323
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,479,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Politics made Systematic, May 30, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Great Game of Politics: Why We Elect, Whom We Elect (Hardcover)

Dick Stoken's newest book is his latest in a string of thought provoking efforts to develop and apply a systematic methodology to important social or economic themes-this time to the understanding of the uniquely American social organization known as the 2-party system. His previous books have dealt with popular economic topics such as market timing and long term economic cycles. This time, he carries his methodology into to the often passionate, partisan realm of presidential politics, as played out in the shifts between the two opposing political parties.

The book lays out a sensible approach to understanding the unique characteristics of each party, identifies the dynamics at work both between the parties and, more importantly, among the general electorate as they vote to either maintain the status quo, or to reject the party in power, in favor of a new political direction. There is a little something for every reader here-social psychology, US political history and systems theory.

Stoken's approach should hardly come as a surprise to those familiar with The University of Chicago, where he did his graduate work. The UOC is well known for its theoretical approach, and this book follows in this proud, if unconventional, tradition. Noteworthy also is Stoken's background as a financial historian and practitioner (he's a hedge fund manager, and former floor trader on Chicago's derivatives exchanges), which adds a practical dimension that traditional historians tend to overlook or (better yet) ignore-namely the market-like interplay between presidential politics and the ebb and flow between political cycles, which Stoken identifies and quantifies through an analysis of voting patterns, giving rise to "paradigm" setting presidential administrations.

Stoken sees this interplay (and, yes, clash) between two opposing political tenets as essential to the evolution of US politics, and something to be encouraged and appreciated. It is this 2 party dynamic that both helps define the distinctives of both parties, and allows for quick, decisive change and transition from one "paradigm" to the next.

Stoken's quantitative approach to understanding US elections and his belief that the voter is always right in the end (after all, voters ultimately determine outcomes) is a refreshing departure from doctrinaire, overly politicized methods of viewing party politics. In this vein, a warning: Stoken's perspective may not appeal to readers of all political persuasions. Diehard political ideologues may object to the (perceived) simplification of Stoken's quest for a unifying theme to tie together all the loose ends. Indeed, one comes away from the book much more inclined to view politics through the eyes of a dispassionate and objective observer, than as a passionate firebrand.

Stoken seems to be suggesting that it's only by distancing yourself from this passionate enterprise that you gain an appreciation for the role that both sides play in the evolution of our "great game of politics." In the end, it's not an "either or" game-that is, one party more "correct" than the other. Instead, Stoken suggests that it takes two healthy, opposing viewpoints to create a dynamic political system. You'll find this book a refreshing departure from traditional approaches to understanding US politics and American history.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Presidency, Systematically Analyzed, January 26, 2006

By 

F. Chloupek (Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great Game of Politics: Why We Elect, Whom We Elect (Paperback)

Stoken looks in depth at the Presidency and why we elect who we elect. His main these is that there are paradigm setting presidents -- those presidents who are elected, reelected by a majority, and then ensure the election of their successor. The 9 presidents this applies to are Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Jackson, Lincoln, T. Roosevelt, Harding/Coolidge, F. Roosevelt and Reagan. These then are the "leaders" with other presidents either working to moderate the prevailing philosophy (Clinton) or "restorers" of the prevailing tradition (Kennedy/Johnson). The later restorers are less successful as the prevailing paradigm becomes less able to deal with the world (Pierce, Buchanan, Carter) until it utterly collapses. Paradigms alternate between those of the "right" and the "left."

I found the arguments Stoken makes quite persuasive, including the justification of the Harding/Coolidge administration as being quite influential as well as showing that Grant and Nixon are quite "underrated" Presidents for the impact that they had (they both just miss being paradigm setters) The leaders of the "dominant paradigm" also win close elections. Bush in 2000, Carter in 1976, Kennedy in 1960, Hayes, Garfield, Harrison in the late 19th Century, Polk, Pierce in the mid-19th century. Ties go to the dominant (not necessarily the incumbent) party.

While the discussion is largely domestic and economic focused, there is some discussion about a Bush paradigm in foreign relations possibly taking over from the earlier Wilsonian one. Stoken also discusses the role of third parties and their influence. Excellent read and really gets you thinking.

5.0 out of 5 stars "My policy is to have no policy." Lincoln, March 25, 2007

By 

J. Guild (Toronto,Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great Game of Politics: Why We Elect, Whom We Elect (Paperback)

This inoculous looking little book was a great surprise to me.When I bought it,I thought it would be just a light hearted read of politics and ,as is the case,with most political books;would have a left or right slant. It didn't take long to realize that this was a book with a great deal of merit. It is a wonderful insight into the Politics and History of America.
I won't try to summarize the book;as it suffices to say that the author contends that the real thing that happens is what he calls Paradigms.It is these Paradigms, more so than basic party philosophy and beliefs, that influence Presidents in their greatness and affect how their actions are judged by the electorate,and hence influence elections.For this reason,sometimes Democrats act like Republicans and Republicans act like Democrats.Not on all issues nor at all times.The author analyses the results over history and shows that the Presidents who start,recognize and adapt to paradigms are successful and those who do not,or cannot, become the lesser for it.
He covers the Parties,including the 3rd parties in a fair and balanced manner and shows what they fundamentally believe and why they have their strengths and weaknesses. Try as I may;I could not find any bias on the author's part. He simply tells it as it is .
He shows that politics is an Art and definately not a Science.Paradigms are hard to predict,often not recognized until late into their course,and hard for the party to alter in the end;resulting in a change in the Administration.One also sees that the thing that gave the party the strength in the beginning is the same thing that when carried to excess becomes its downfall. Thus, it is the balance between Left and Right which ,in the final analysis,is what gives America her strength.
I have no idea of what textbooks are used in schools and universities today to teach Political Science (a term I've always considered an oxymoron);But I believe this book would be an excellent source for students to help them understand why and by whom eletions are won and lost.
Don't expect this book to be an end all in helping to predict elections.The author shows that even after elections are over ,it is still very unclear what things had what effect on the results.
If you follow politics you will find this a most unusual book and one that will give you much insight into it all.It is not an easy thing to look at over 200 years of history and politics and make sense of it all,but Stoken has done an excellent job of it here.This book is a real keeper to me and I am sure I will turn to it often in the future.
Canada's history and politics is immensely influenced by what happens in the United States,and this book explains much of what happened here.
A great book to read at the present time ,particularly with the world events taking place. Are we already into a new Paradigm,are we soon to face one;time will tell.
Remember the words of President Reagan in his inaugural address;

"The government is not the solution to our probmems...IT IS THE
PROBLEM."

...and he is considered one of the great Presidents.