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Uniting America: Restoring the Vital Center to American Democracy (The Future of American Democracy Series)

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This edited volume presents a readable and erudite argument for the return of a "centrist agenda" in American public life (p. 265). The book consists of fourteen essay chapters by respected scholars. The essays are arranged under six major themes: the vital center, social security and health care; diversity and unity; security; citizenship; and environmental and electoral reform. The authors seek to encourage a "rebirth of a spirit of unity and compromise" within American politics (p. 6). The claims of contemporary polling and political observers about the bifurcated American electorate are disputed in a comprehensive manner. If fact, the authors suggest an importance degree of national unity has prevailed in many areas, although "polarization" has reigned in Congress and in the news media. The first two chapters form the gravamen of the volume. Chapter One (Yankelovich) suggests that Americans have created a moderate and tolerant social and political order. Chapter Two (Garfinkle) details the moderate consensus in economic policy since World War II. Other chapters, especially Chapter Five (Wolfe), concerning religion as a unifying force in America society, are less persuasive.

Lee Cheek

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