![]() | Red and Blue Nation?: Consequences and Correction of America''s Polarized Politics Subjects: Political parties -- United States; Party affiliation -- United States; Polarization (Social sciences); United States -- Politics and government; A Brookings Institution Press and the Hoover Institution publication America's polarized politics are largely disconnected from mainstream public preferences. This disconnect poses fundamental dangers for the representativeness and accountability of government, as well as the already withering public trust in it. As the 2008 presidential race kicks into gear, the political climate certainly will not become less polarized. With important issues to address--including immigration policy, health care, and the funding of the Iraq war--it is critical that essential policies not be hostage to partisan political battles. Pietro S. Nivola is a vice president of the Brookings Institution, where he is the director of Governance Studies. Among his previous books are Tense Commandments: Federal Prescriptions and City Problems (Brookings, 2002) and Agenda for the Nation , coedited with Henry J. Aaron and James M. Lindsay (Brookings, 2003). David W. Brady is deputy director and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution; the Bowen H. and Janice Arthur McCoy Professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business; and professor of political science in Stanford University's School of Humanities and Sciences. Among his previous books is Revolving Gridlock: Politics and Policy from Jimmy Carter to George W. Bush , coauthored with Craig Volden (Westview, 2005). |
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