Scandal: The Culture of Mistrust in American Politics [Hardcover]

Suzanne Garment (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Garment authoritatively argues that in recent years hypocritically self-righteous probes into the private lives of prominent figures, the defense industry and white-collar crimes have crippled American politics.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

A disquieting examination of the post-Watergate political culture's obsession with personal scandal and of the paralyzing effect of this tendency on government. Garment, a former Wall Street Journal columnist, views the media, zealous investigative groups, and political opposition groups as operating together as a ``scandal machine'' that deters capable citizens from serving in government, creates cynicism and a ``culture of mistrust,'' and consumes considerable expense and energy. While some misconduct is truly reprehensible, she argues, much becomes the subject of scandal only because of increased exposure, enhanced ethical standards, and changed rules. Garment analyzes several of the major scandals of the post-Watergate era: Abscam, the Iran-contra investigations, the fall of House Speaker Jim Wright, and the ``Keating Five'' hearings. While these scandals largely had substance, Garment argues persuasively that the scandal culture has made it ``easy to make a highly visible scandal out of even the most grotesque charges.'' She proposes that Americans attempt to distinguish between important and trivial scandals, and that they not regard behavior as scandalous when it ``is not really an abuse of the public trust.'' An intelligent and balanced call to put political scandal into perspective. -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 335 pages
• Publisher: Random House; 1st edition (October 30, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394570197
• ISBN-13: 978-0394570198
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,520,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book is Interesting, February 28, 2004

By 

La'Shundra Tucker (Canton, MS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scandal: The Culture of Mistrust in American Politics (Hardcover)

The book has many important facts about how the U.S. covers up hundred or maybe even thousands of scandals not seen by the American People.

3.0 out of 5 stars A basic introduction to political scandal before Clinton, January 21, 2000

By 

Matthew D. Carr (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scandal (Hardcover)

The author does a good job of introducing political scandals since Watergate although gives a brief history of scandals of the past. Her main point is that while the nature of scandals has remained constant, the public pursuit of scandals has increased through a more agressive press corps, proliferation of ethics laws, and a dramatic increase in government oversight through Congressional inquiries and special prosecutors. She also does a reasonable job of demonstrating the effects of a scandal on the individuals it involves whether they are guilty or not. An enjoyable read but a bit obsolete since political scandals have been revolutionized by the Clinton administration.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Heed The Word Of A Republican Crybaby, March 25, 2002

By 

The Orange Duke "orangeduke" (Cupertino, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scandal (Paperback)

Garment's main thesis is that political corruption is no big deal and the people that are to be blamed for it are the journalists who expose it. If only those pesky watchdogs would leave our leaders alone, no one need ever know about our `betters' bad behavior! Not a surprising position considering her husband was one of Nixon's lawyers. Needless to say, in spite of her condemnation of the solicitousness of the press she makes a point of bringing up and emphasizing scandals by democratic administrations and politicians while poo pooing those of her own party. Not surprising given that her main goal is to defend the famously sinful Reagan White House. She is particularly dismissive of famously corrupt Republicans like Harding, Blaine and Grant. Not exactly a balanced, thoughtful analysis. One is left wondering what she would say about the scandals of the Clinton administration, I suspect she would sing a different tune.