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It's Even Worse Than It Looks: How the American Constitutional System Collided with the New Politics of Extremism Paperback – April 5, 2016
by
Thomas E. Mann
(Author),
Norman J. Ornstein
(Author)
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Acrimony and hyperpartisanship have seeped into every part of the political process. Congress is deadlocked and its approval ratings are at record lows. America's two main political parties have given up their traditions of compromise, endangering our very system of constitutional democracy. And one of these parties has taken on the role of insurgent outlier; the Republicans have become ideologically extreme, scornful of compromise, and ardently opposed to the established social and economic policy regime.In It's Even Worse Than It Looks, congressional scholars Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein identify two overriding problems that have led Congress -- and the United States -- to the brink of institutional collapse. The first is the serious mismatch between our political parties, which have become as vehemently adversarial as parliamentary parties, and a governing system that, unlike a parliamentary democracy, makes it extremely difficult for majorities to act. Second, while both parties participate in tribal warfare, both sides are not equally culpable. The political system faces what the authors call &"asymmetric polarization," with the Republican Party implacably refusing to allow anything that might help the Democrats politically, no matter the cost.With dysfunction rooted in long-term political trends, a coarsened political culture and a new partisan media, the authors conclude that there is no &"silver bullet"; reform that can solve everything. But they offer a panoply of useful ideas and reforms, endorsing some solutions, like greater public participation and institutional restructuring of the House and Senate, while debunking others, like independent or third-party candidates. Above all, they call on the media as well as the public at large to focus on the true causes of dysfunction rather than just throwing the bums out every election cycle. Until voters learn to act strategically to reward problem solving and punish obstruction, American democracy will remain in serious danger.
- Print length272 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherBasic Books
- Publication dateApril 5, 2016
- Dimensions5.5 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches
- ISBN-100465096204
- ISBN-13978-0465096206
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Thomas E. Mann is a resident scholar at the Institute of Governmental Studies at the University of California, Berkeley and a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Norman J. Ornstein is Resident Scholar the American Enterprise Institute and a contributing editor and columnist for National Journal and the Atlantic.
Norman J. Ornstein is Resident Scholar the American Enterprise Institute and a contributing editor and columnist for National Journal and the Atlantic.
Product details
- Publisher : Basic Books; Revised, Expanded ed. edition (April 5, 2016)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 272 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0465096204
- ISBN-13 : 978-0465096206
- Item Weight : 10.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #129,114 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #52 in U.S.Congresses, Senates & Legislative
- #64 in Political Parties (Books)
- #164 in Democracy (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
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Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2018
Verified Purchase
This excellent chronology of the growth of political dysfunction in America was written before the 2016 election and the hurtling furtherance of the ultra-conservative, authoritarian Republican agenda. The book’s primary value is as a history lesson, a detailed account of America’s fall from a democratic republic to the one-party system the nation is now shackled with. These two scholars lay out in enlightening fashion how we arrived at the governing debacle we now must endure, laying accurate and ample blame at the feet of a power-hungry GOP, a disheveled and disorganized Democratic Party, a naive and out of touch media, and a public still ensconced in Timothy Snyder’s “ politics of inevitability” or the belief that this nation is predestined to succeed. Unfortunately, Mann and Ornstein, like the media they criticize, also fall prey to this mindset and, in the process of laying out superb suggestions for change, lamenting at every turn how change is unlikely to happen because of the extreme ideological polarization of our government and our nation, fail to alert their readers to the true danger that the systemic alterations that are taking place are likely to pose for our future. The clear vision and pragmatism of these two scholars is impressive, but, sadly, offset by an inability to separate their hope that our democracy will survive from the reality that the trends they so meticulously chronicle are taking us in quite the opposite direction. This is a must-read if for no other reason than that it gives objective explanation to a process that has become so intense and volatile as to defy logical debate.
58 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2017
Verified Purchase
Both sides do not do it.
That's the conclusion Congressional scholars Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein reach in "It's Even Worse Than It Looks: How the American Constitutional System Collided With The New Politics of Extremism."
They place the blame for today's dysfunctional politics squarely on the Republican Party, whose members in both houses of Congress act as a parliamentary party does in Britain's winner-take-all system-ideologically polarized but internally unified and vehemently oppositional. That puts the GOP at odds with America's checks-and-balances, separation-of-powers governing system that all but demands compromise between parties by making it difficult for a majority party to work its will.
Mann and Ornstein begin telling the history of how we got here by using the 2011 debt limit crisis, in which Republicans threatened a default on the national debt for the sake of forcing President Obama to accept massive spending cuts, to illustrate concisely yet in detail the party's contempt for its Democratic opposition and for the government itself. They then trace these attitudes back to Newton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich, who came to the House of Representatives in the late 1970s desiring power for both himself and his party at the expense of good government by unifying House Republicans against the chamber's Democratic majority and convincing both the public and the news media that the House was corrupt-thus encouraging the electorate to distrust government reflexively and then vote for the party that shared its disdain for government. This cynicism, they contend, has created an impediment to political reform.
The scholars also properly heap scorn upon the media, which they contend has become so fixated with appearing "fair and balanced" that it has all but ignored the GOP's transformation into a party that puts America at risk by hindering it instead of helping it. They argue that it's become easier for journalists to write stories blaming both sides than it is for them to cover the real story.
Mann and Ornstein conclude by spending four chapters exploring various ideas, both bad and good, for resolving the problem. They advocate for, among other things, moving elections to weekends and making voting mandatory; campaign finance reform, including banning contributions from lobbyists; and even creating a parallel "shadow" Congress, comprised of ex-lawmakers, to debate issues of the day. These four chapters are both less passionate and more concerned with policy details than the three-chapter indictment of the GOP preceding it, but are still very readable for the general public.
The book's lone weakness lies in their belief that Republicans can and will become a party that believes in government's ability to help society-a belief many of today's Republicans seem to reject out of hand.
This is not a book some Republicans will want to read. It will leave Democrats wondering why their leaders insist on bipartisan consensus with those who dismiss their legitimacy. It will both anger and sadden nonpartisans. But for those who wonder how and why we got here, this is necessary reading.
That's the conclusion Congressional scholars Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein reach in "It's Even Worse Than It Looks: How the American Constitutional System Collided With The New Politics of Extremism."
They place the blame for today's dysfunctional politics squarely on the Republican Party, whose members in both houses of Congress act as a parliamentary party does in Britain's winner-take-all system-ideologically polarized but internally unified and vehemently oppositional. That puts the GOP at odds with America's checks-and-balances, separation-of-powers governing system that all but demands compromise between parties by making it difficult for a majority party to work its will.
Mann and Ornstein begin telling the history of how we got here by using the 2011 debt limit crisis, in which Republicans threatened a default on the national debt for the sake of forcing President Obama to accept massive spending cuts, to illustrate concisely yet in detail the party's contempt for its Democratic opposition and for the government itself. They then trace these attitudes back to Newton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich, who came to the House of Representatives in the late 1970s desiring power for both himself and his party at the expense of good government by unifying House Republicans against the chamber's Democratic majority and convincing both the public and the news media that the House was corrupt-thus encouraging the electorate to distrust government reflexively and then vote for the party that shared its disdain for government. This cynicism, they contend, has created an impediment to political reform.
The scholars also properly heap scorn upon the media, which they contend has become so fixated with appearing "fair and balanced" that it has all but ignored the GOP's transformation into a party that puts America at risk by hindering it instead of helping it. They argue that it's become easier for journalists to write stories blaming both sides than it is for them to cover the real story.
Mann and Ornstein conclude by spending four chapters exploring various ideas, both bad and good, for resolving the problem. They advocate for, among other things, moving elections to weekends and making voting mandatory; campaign finance reform, including banning contributions from lobbyists; and even creating a parallel "shadow" Congress, comprised of ex-lawmakers, to debate issues of the day. These four chapters are both less passionate and more concerned with policy details than the three-chapter indictment of the GOP preceding it, but are still very readable for the general public.
The book's lone weakness lies in their belief that Republicans can and will become a party that believes in government's ability to help society-a belief many of today's Republicans seem to reject out of hand.
This is not a book some Republicans will want to read. It will leave Democrats wondering why their leaders insist on bipartisan consensus with those who dismiss their legitimacy. It will both anger and sadden nonpartisans. But for those who wonder how and why we got here, this is necessary reading.
56 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2018
Verified Purchase
Eye opening read about our dysfunctional government processes. A bit dated as It was written 2011/2012 (today's date: 12Feb2018), however the problems persist since many of the characters are still in power today. Though the authors do point out the dysfunctionality on the part of the Republican & Democrat parties, they do display a slight bend toward the Democratic party. I write that last sentence as I believe some of their ideas & suggestions regarding congressional processes & capitulating to presidential powers would not be gracing the pages given today's political climate (total control by one party, the Republicans), or at least I am glad some of their suggestions were not heeded. Their ideas & observations on party polarization (& how to lessen it), voter suppression, increasing voter turnout, gerrymandering, the corrupting power of money, etc..... are spot on.
10 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries
Mike MacPherson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Scary
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 17, 2018Verified Purchase
I gave this as a present to our "Wee Free" Church of Scotland Minister. He said he had suspected as much for years and it reinforced his fear of Satan and all his works.
Scribe
5.0 out of 5 stars
And it's gotten even worse
Reviewed in Canada on June 20, 2016Verified Purchase
It discusses the polarization between the two political parties in the U.S.A. and places the blame squarely on the Republicans. What's good for the American citizenry as a whole is not as important as is the success of the party or personal gain. This book is no partisan rant. The authors support their claim convincingly with irrefutable fact. The book is a little outdated and does not cover the 'Trump Phenomenon'. But it explains how the stage was set for the Republican circus of 2016. I will be eagerly awaiting a post-election dissection of the campaign by these authors.
Happyx ✂️
5.0 out of 5 stars
USA in den Händen der christlich wirtschaftenden Talibane.
Reviewed in Germany on May 26, 2012Verified Purchase
Amerika ist fest in den Händen von republikanischen Kriegs-Truppen. Diese Verbände halten ihre Trutzburgen des Einnehmens fest zusammen, es sind:
1. Freie radikale Kapitalisten, die nichts abgeben, dafür umso mehr zocken und von Feindbildern leben.
2. Die Bevölkerung mit christlichen Losungen fesseln (wen Gott segnet, dem schenkt er Reichtum, wem nicht, der hat kein Recht zu essen) und
3. Mit privaten Medien Wortsalven über die Bevölkerung schütten, die jeglicher Demokratie Hohn sprechen, die jeglichem gesunden Menschenverstand zuwider laufen.
4. Terroristen, die jegliche Regierungsfähigkeit der Demokraten / Obama im Keim über den Senat ersticken, mit aggressiver Wort- und Tatakrobatik.
Amerika in diesen Tagen ist tief gespalten, das Damoklesschwert des Kommunismus/Sozialismus als Feindbild wird (immer noch) über alles gehalten, was von den Demokraten kommt. Das Beten auf der einen wird zum zähnefletschenden Hass auf der anderen Seite.
Mehr als die europäische Krise müssen wir die Probleme der Amerikaner fürchten, die schon lange über ihre Verhältnisse leben und im Grunde den Kopf in den Sand stecken: die freien Marktradikalen der Republikaner haben über TV-Sender wie Fox alles fest in der Hand, Europa ist für sie nur eine weit entfernte Region, partout halten sie halsstarrig an alten Dogmen fest von Freiheit und Erfolg, die sich schon längst erübrigt haben, wenn man das Heer der Mittellosen und Abgehängten in USA betrachtet. Reich durch Armut, nirgendwo sonst wird diese Aussage deutlicher als in Amerika, das sich noch ein letztes Mal an einer unnötigen Internetblase wie Facebook laben darf, bevor die Kurse ob dieser Nutzlosigkeit in den Keller rauschen. China mit seinem Fleiß hat die USA schon längst begonnen von innen her anzugreifen.
Das Resultat: ein völlig überschuldetet Staat ohne Perspektive, bar jeglicher Kompromissfähigkeiten, die von den Republikanern konsequent torpediert werden. Wie wohltuend muss man dagegen die deutsche Opposition empfinden, die tatsächlich vernünftig, auf dem Boden des guten Willens, Politik mitgestaltet. Amerika ist in den Händen christlicher Talibane, von denen ein besonders strenger (Mormone) jetzt Präsident werden möchte.
Die USA sind die am besten geplante Scheindemokratie aller Zeiten, eine Wirklichkeit gewordene Hölle, in dem Arbeitssklaven verheizt werden, während die Wallstreet eine ganze Nation verzockt und halsstarrig an die Kette legt. Tatsächlich wird Amerika von den immer gleichen regiert, egal ob Republikaner oder Demokraten an der Macht sind: es ist die Wirtschaft, die hier nach der Chicagoer Schule das Sagen hat, aufgeladen durch den Mythos, dass Amerika in den 40ern die Demokratie nach Europa gebracht habe, Freiheitsapostel des Selbst für alle Zeiten.
Dabei helfen auch die im Buch vorgeschlagenen Maßnahmen (z.B. Zwang zur Wahl durch Lotterieverknüpfung) herzlich wenig, hilfreich wird das Ganze erst, wenn es den Reichen wirklich an den Kragen geht, wenn ihre Ghettos geplündert werden. Mario Basler in seiner unnachahmlich intelligenten Art sagte vor kurzem bei Sandra Maischberger etwas Wahres bzw. proletete seine Angst vor dem Mob laut hinaus, während eine betrunken wirkende ZDF Fußballreporter-Legende zum 1000000mal etwas vom deutschen Neid lallte, wenn in Italien die Spieler in ihren Porsches neidlos beklatscht werden. Wir alle müssen hier nicht mehr lange warten, bis auch in Deutschland die Villengegenden heißer und heißer werden. Es ist wohl so, dass niemand etwas freiwilig abgeben möchte und solange auf den Säcken sitzen bleibt, bis diese explodieren. Leider.
1. Freie radikale Kapitalisten, die nichts abgeben, dafür umso mehr zocken und von Feindbildern leben.
2. Die Bevölkerung mit christlichen Losungen fesseln (wen Gott segnet, dem schenkt er Reichtum, wem nicht, der hat kein Recht zu essen) und
3. Mit privaten Medien Wortsalven über die Bevölkerung schütten, die jeglicher Demokratie Hohn sprechen, die jeglichem gesunden Menschenverstand zuwider laufen.
4. Terroristen, die jegliche Regierungsfähigkeit der Demokraten / Obama im Keim über den Senat ersticken, mit aggressiver Wort- und Tatakrobatik.
Amerika in diesen Tagen ist tief gespalten, das Damoklesschwert des Kommunismus/Sozialismus als Feindbild wird (immer noch) über alles gehalten, was von den Demokraten kommt. Das Beten auf der einen wird zum zähnefletschenden Hass auf der anderen Seite.
Mehr als die europäische Krise müssen wir die Probleme der Amerikaner fürchten, die schon lange über ihre Verhältnisse leben und im Grunde den Kopf in den Sand stecken: die freien Marktradikalen der Republikaner haben über TV-Sender wie Fox alles fest in der Hand, Europa ist für sie nur eine weit entfernte Region, partout halten sie halsstarrig an alten Dogmen fest von Freiheit und Erfolg, die sich schon längst erübrigt haben, wenn man das Heer der Mittellosen und Abgehängten in USA betrachtet. Reich durch Armut, nirgendwo sonst wird diese Aussage deutlicher als in Amerika, das sich noch ein letztes Mal an einer unnötigen Internetblase wie Facebook laben darf, bevor die Kurse ob dieser Nutzlosigkeit in den Keller rauschen. China mit seinem Fleiß hat die USA schon längst begonnen von innen her anzugreifen.
Das Resultat: ein völlig überschuldetet Staat ohne Perspektive, bar jeglicher Kompromissfähigkeiten, die von den Republikanern konsequent torpediert werden. Wie wohltuend muss man dagegen die deutsche Opposition empfinden, die tatsächlich vernünftig, auf dem Boden des guten Willens, Politik mitgestaltet. Amerika ist in den Händen christlicher Talibane, von denen ein besonders strenger (Mormone) jetzt Präsident werden möchte.
Die USA sind die am besten geplante Scheindemokratie aller Zeiten, eine Wirklichkeit gewordene Hölle, in dem Arbeitssklaven verheizt werden, während die Wallstreet eine ganze Nation verzockt und halsstarrig an die Kette legt. Tatsächlich wird Amerika von den immer gleichen regiert, egal ob Republikaner oder Demokraten an der Macht sind: es ist die Wirtschaft, die hier nach der Chicagoer Schule das Sagen hat, aufgeladen durch den Mythos, dass Amerika in den 40ern die Demokratie nach Europa gebracht habe, Freiheitsapostel des Selbst für alle Zeiten.
Dabei helfen auch die im Buch vorgeschlagenen Maßnahmen (z.B. Zwang zur Wahl durch Lotterieverknüpfung) herzlich wenig, hilfreich wird das Ganze erst, wenn es den Reichen wirklich an den Kragen geht, wenn ihre Ghettos geplündert werden. Mario Basler in seiner unnachahmlich intelligenten Art sagte vor kurzem bei Sandra Maischberger etwas Wahres bzw. proletete seine Angst vor dem Mob laut hinaus, während eine betrunken wirkende ZDF Fußballreporter-Legende zum 1000000mal etwas vom deutschen Neid lallte, wenn in Italien die Spieler in ihren Porsches neidlos beklatscht werden. Wir alle müssen hier nicht mehr lange warten, bis auch in Deutschland die Villengegenden heißer und heißer werden. Es ist wohl so, dass niemand etwas freiwilig abgeben möchte und solange auf den Säcken sitzen bleibt, bis diese explodieren. Leider.
M Clark
5.0 out of 5 stars
Explaining the Biggest Danger to the US Political System
Reviewed in Germany on June 2, 2017Verified Purchase
This is the update of an earlier edition of this book with a new forward and afterward added to bring it more up to date (i.e. prior to the results of the 2016 election). The authors analyze the total polarization and lack of effectiveness that has developed in the US Congress during the past years. Their conclusion is that the Republican Party is very much to blame. The problems they identify will need to be solved if the US democracy will be able to survive.
Imperial Rome
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's Even Worse Than It Looks: The Book on America's Political Dysfunction
Reviewed in Canada on June 25, 2012Verified Purchase
This is a political treatise on the polarization of the parties, the Republicans and the Democrats, in Washington D.C. It is a work that is co-authored by Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein. Thomas E. Mann is a noted congressional scholar. Tom Mann writes and speaks widely on American politics and policymaking, including campaigns, elections, campaign finance reform and the effectiveness of Congress. Norman Ornstein is a long-time observer of Congress and politics. He writes a weekly column for Roll Call called "Congress Inside Out" and is an election eve analyst for CBS News. He also served as a senior counselor to the Continuity of Government Commission. When Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein get together to sound a loud alarm about the way the United States political system is being torn apart, it's time to listen'and listen hard. Then the tough part, 'how do we restore some sense of common purpose, of Americans working together to make the government work? Mann and Ornstein set out ways to rebuild political bridges, beginning right now. American citizens better get to work. This is an exceptionally important and cogent analysis of America's breakdown in self-governance. It is an urgent warning of the consequences of intolerant politics in America and governing paralysis, and ways to fix it.
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