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It's Even Worse Than It Looks
by Thomas E. Mann • 2012
The debt ceiling as hostage, the filibuster as permanent veto: how one party broke democracy.
3.89
4k+
It's Even Worse Than It Looks Summary
It's Even Worse Than It Looks 91%
The debt ceiling as hostage, the filibuster as permanent veto: how one party broke democracy.
by Thomas E. Mann 2012
3.89
4k+ ratings
Kill Switch
by Adam Jentleson • 2021
The filibuster was born to protect slavery, not debate. That sin still decides who governs.
4.24
3k+
Kill Switch Summary
Kill Switch 91%
The filibuster was born to protect slavery, not debate. That sin still decides who governs.
by Adam Jentleson 2021
4.24
3k+ ratings
The Broken Branch
by Thomas E. Mann • 2006
Built to lead, Congress now defers to the president, skips debate, and legislates in the dark.
3.76
290
The Broken Branch Summary
The Broken Branch 90%
Built to lead, Congress now defers to the president, skips debate, and legislates in the dark.
by Thomas E. Mann 2006
3.76
290 ratings
The Red and the Blue
by Steve Kornacki • 2018
The prosperous 1990s: two men broke American politics, and we are still living in the wreckage.
4.20
3k+
The Red and the Blue Summary
The Red and the Blue 89%
The prosperous 1990s: two men broke American politics, and we are still living in the wreckage.
by Steve Kornacki 2018
4.20
3k+ ratings
Broken Government
by John W. Dean • 2007
Nixon's White House counsel reveals how Republicans broke Congress, the presidency, and the courts.
4.06
331
Broken Government Summary
Broken Government 89%
Nixon's White House counsel reveals how Republicans broke Congress, the presidency, and the courts.
by John W. Dean 2007
4.06
331 ratings
Fault Lines in the Constitution
by Cynthia Levinson • 2017
Four times the Senate clout for small-state voters: the 1787 compromise still in charge.
4.00
614
Fault Lines in the Constitution Summary
Fault Lines in the Constitution 89%
Four times the Senate clout for small-state voters: the 1787 compromise still in charge.
by Cynthia Levinson 2017
4.00
614 ratings
Public Citizens
by Paul Sabin • 2024
How liberal crusaders against big government paved the road for Reagan’s anti-government revolution.
3.82
199
Public Citizens Summary
Public Citizens 88%
How liberal crusaders against big government paved the road for Reagan’s anti-government revolution.
by Paul Sabin 2024
3.82
199 ratings
Relic
by William G. Howell • 2016
Built for a small farm nation, the Constitution cannot equip a superpower. One reform can.
3.41
101
Relic Summary
Relic 88%
Built for a small farm nation, the Constitution cannot equip a superpower. One reform can.
by William G. Howell 2016
3.41
101 ratings
Unstable Majorities
by Morris P. Fiorina • 2017
Not a deeply polarized public. Sorted parties overreach, and the movable middle flips Congress.
4.07
74
Unstable Majorities Summary
Unstable Majorities 88%
Not a deeply polarized public. Sorted parties overreach, and the movable middle flips Congress.
by Morris P. Fiorina 2017
4.07
74 ratings
Why Nothing Works
by Marc J. Dunkelman • 2025
Progressivism has two souls: one builds, one stops. The stopper won, so nothing gets built.
3.79
1k+
Why Nothing Works Summary
Why Nothing Works 88%
Progressivism has two souls: one builds, one stops. The stopper won, so nothing gets built.
by Marc J. Dunkelman 2025
3.79
1k+ ratings
Republic, Lost
by Lawrence Lessig • 2011
America's government answers to funders, not voters. The corruption is legal, and it's by design.
4.18
3k+
Republic, Lost Summary
Republic, Lost 88%
America's government answers to funders, not voters. The corruption is legal, and it's by design.
by Lawrence Lessig 2011
4.18
3k+ ratings
The Thinkers
by E.J. Fagan • 2024
American polarization has a hidden engine: think tanks that supply each party with its own facts.
3.80
15
The Thinkers Summary
The Thinkers 88%
American polarization has a hidden engine: think tanks that supply each party with its own facts.
by E.J. Fagan 2024
3.80
15 ratings
Politics by Other Means
by Professor of Political Science Benjamin Ginsberg • 1990
When elections can't resolve political conflict, investigations, prosecutions, and press warfare do.
3.29
38
Politics by Other Means Summary
Politics by Other Means 88%
When elections can't resolve political conflict, investigations, prosecutions, and press warfare do.
by Professor of Political Science Benjamin Ginsberg 1990
3.29
38 ratings
Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop
by Lee Drutman • 2020
The two-party system is a democratic death trap. The only way out is to add more parties.
4.15
450
Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop Summary
Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop 88%
The two-party system is a democratic death trap. The only way out is to add more parties.
by Lee Drutman 2020
4.15
450 ratings
Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies
by Benjamin M. Studebaker • 2024
Democracies survive today not by solving problems but by multiplying stories about why they can't.
4.60
15
Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies Summary
Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies 88%
Democracies survive today not by solving problems but by multiplying stories about why they can't.
by Benjamin M. Studebaker 2024
4.60
15 ratings
The Politics Industry
by Katherine M. Gehl • 2020
Two parties rigged the political market. One election redesign can open it.
4.30
706
The Politics Industry Summary
The Politics Industry 87%
Two parties rigged the political market. One election redesign can open it.
by Katherine M. Gehl 2020
4.30
706 ratings
Issue Evolution
by Edward G. Carmines • 1989
Parties don't flip in one election. Race reshaped American politics through decades of evolution.
3.22
23
Issue Evolution Summary
Issue Evolution 87%
Parties don't flip in one election. Race reshaped American politics through decades of evolution.
by Edward G. Carmines 1989
3.22
23 ratings
Southern Nation
by David A. Bateman • 2018
After Reconstruction, the white South ran Congress and built white supremacy into American law.
3.38
13
Southern Nation Summary
Southern Nation 87%
After Reconstruction, the white South ran Congress and built white supremacy into American law.
by David A. Bateman 2018
3.38
13 ratings
Congressional Conservatism and the New Deal
by James T. Patterson • 1981
The revolt against the New Deal was no conspiracy. It was Congress returning to its natural state.
4.30
10
Congressional Conservatism and the New Deal Summary
Congressional Conservatism and the New Deal 87%
The revolt against the New Deal was no conspiracy. It was Congress returning to its natural state.
by James T. Patterson 1981
4.30
10 ratings
A More Perfect Constitution
by Larry J. Sabato • 2007
Twenty-three fixes for a rusty Constitution: bigger Congress, term limits, a state convention.
3.66
335
A More Perfect Constitution Summary
A More Perfect Constitution 87%
Twenty-three fixes for a rusty Constitution: bigger Congress, term limits, a state convention.
by Larry J. Sabato 2007
3.66
335 ratings
Does American Democracy Still Work?
by Alan Wolfe • 2006
American democracy has morphed into a form that is democratic on paper but illiberal in practice.
3.57
21
Does American Democracy Still Work? Summary
Does American Democracy Still Work? 87%
American democracy has morphed into a form that is democratic on paper but illiberal in practice.
by Alan Wolfe 2006
3.57
21 ratings
Getting to Green
by Frederic C. Rich • 2016
No major environmental law has passed in 25 years. Here's why, and how to fix it.
4.02
106
Getting to Green Summary
Getting to Green 87%
No major environmental law has passed in 25 years. Here's why, and how to fix it.
by Frederic C. Rich 2016
4.02
106 ratings
If We Can Keep It
by Michael Tomasky • 2019
Polarization is older than the republic; what broke is the GOP's turn into a movement.
3.96
181
If We Can Keep It Summary
If We Can Keep It 87%
Polarization is older than the republic; what broke is the GOP's turn into a movement.
by Michael Tomasky 2019
3.96
181 ratings
No Democracy Lasts Forever
by Erwin Chemerinsky • 2024
The document Americans revere was built to thwart popular rule. Now it is breaking the country.
3.93
337
No Democracy Lasts Forever Summary
No Democracy Lasts Forever 87%
The document Americans revere was built to thwart popular rule. Now it is breaking the country.
by Erwin Chemerinsky 2024
3.93
337 ratings
Four Threats
by Suzanne Mettler • 2020
The four forces that repeatedly broke American democracy are peaking together for the first time.
4.03
221
Four Threats Summary
Four Threats 87%
The four forces that repeatedly broke American democracy are peaking together for the first time.
by Suzanne Mettler 2020
4.03
221 ratings
Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy
by William G. Howell • 2020
The Constitution was designed for inaction; that structural flaw now fuels populist demagogues.
3.87
82
Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy Summary
Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy 87%
The Constitution was designed for inaction; that structural flaw now fuels populist demagogues.
by William G. Howell 2020
3.87
82 ratings
Keeping the Republic
by Mitch Daniels • 2011
A governor's playbook for cutting debt and restoring self-reliance, minus the Washington fantasies.
4.02
252
Keeping the Republic Summary
Keeping the Republic 87%
A governor's playbook for cutting debt and restoring self-reliance, minus the Washington fantasies.
by Mitch Daniels 2011
4.02
252 ratings
American Amnesia
by Jacob S. Hacker • 2016
America's wealth was built by government, not just markets. Forgetting that is undoing us.
4.14
674
American Amnesia Summary
American Amnesia 87%
America's wealth was built by government, not just markets. Forgetting that is undoing us.
by Jacob S. Hacker 2016
4.14
674 ratings
How Democratic Is the American Constitution?
by Robert A. Dahl • 2001
No other advanced democracy ever copied our Constitution. What they all saw that we do not.
3.69
760
How Democratic Is the American Constitution? Summary
How Democratic Is the American Constitution? 87%
No other advanced democracy ever copied our Constitution. What they all saw that we do not.
by Robert A. Dahl 2001
3.69
760 ratings
How Not to Be a Politician
by Rory Stewart • 2023
A diplomat turned MP bets his career on fixing the prisons. The system fights back.
4.30
18k+
How Not to Be a Politician Summary
How Not to Be a Politician 87%
A diplomat turned MP bets his career on fixing the prisons. The system fights back.
by Rory Stewart 2023
4.30
18k+ ratings
Fragmented Democracy
by Jamila Michener • 2018
Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.
4.23
120
Fragmented Democracy Summary
Fragmented Democracy 87%
Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.
by Jamila Michener 2018
4.23
120 ratings
Demosclerosis
by Jonathan Rauch • 1994
Small groups outmaneuver large publics. The cost: a government that gets busier while doing less.
4.10
29
Demosclerosis Summary
Demosclerosis 87%
Small groups outmaneuver large publics. The cost: a government that gets busier while doing less.
by Jonathan Rauch 1994
4.10
29 ratings
The Truce
by Hunter Walker • 2024
Democrats won in 2020 but never settled their internal war. The reckoning still waits.
3.91
114
The Truce Summary
The Truce 87%
Democrats won in 2020 but never settled their internal war. The reckoning still waits.
by Hunter Walker 2024
3.91
114 ratings
The Audacity of Hope
by Barack Obama • 2006
Two parties have turned Americans into enemies. One senator's argument that most of us are not.
3.84
170k+
The Audacity of Hope Summary
The Audacity of Hope 87%
Two parties have turned Americans into enemies. One senator's argument that most of us are not.
by Barack Obama 2006
3.84
170k+ ratings
Laboratories of Autocracy
by David Pepper • 2021
How statehouses became the most dangerous threat to American democracy, and why nobody noticed.
4.48
338
Laboratories of Autocracy Summary
Laboratories of Autocracy 86%
How statehouses became the most dangerous threat to American democracy, and why nobody noticed.
by David Pepper 2021
4.48
338 ratings
The Destructionists
by Dana Milbank • 2022
Gingrich lit the match in 1993. Twenty-five years of arson later, Trump walked through the ashes.
4.21
1k+
The Destructionists Summary
The Destructionists 86%
Gingrich lit the match in 1993. Twenty-five years of arson later, Trump walked through the ashes.
by Dana Milbank 2022
4.21
1k+ ratings
The Storm Before the Calm
by George Friedman • 2020
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
4.05
3k+
The Storm Before the Calm Summary
The Storm Before the Calm 86%
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
by George Friedman 2020
4.05
3k+ ratings
A Simple Government
by Mike Huckabee • 2011
A former governor's plan for a government that does less, costs less, and meddles less.
3.73
302
A Simple Government Summary
A Simple Government 86%
A former governor's plan for a government that does less, costs less, and meddles less.
by Mike Huckabee 2011
3.73
302 ratings
The President and the Parties
by Sidney M. Milkis • 1993
The presidency became an administrative fortress under FDR, and parties have never recovered.
3.69
13
The President and the Parties Summary
The President and the Parties 86%
The presidency became an administrative fortress under FDR, and parties have never recovered.
by Sidney M. Milkis 1993
3.69
13 ratings
Ungoverning
by Nancy L. Rosenblum • 2024
Shrinking government is one thing. Breaking it on purpose is another.
3.79
90
Ungoverning Summary
Ungoverning 86%
Shrinking government is one thing. Breaking it on purpose is another.
by Nancy L. Rosenblum 2024
3.79
90 ratings
The Little Book of Campaign Etiquette
by Stephen Hess • 1998
The unwritten rules campaigns and journalists keep breaking, and the case for writing them down.
1.00
1
The Little Book of Campaign Etiquette Summary
The Little Book of Campaign Etiquette 86%
The unwritten rules campaigns and journalists keep breaking, and the case for writing them down.
by Stephen Hess 1998
1.00
1 ratings
The Divided States of America
by Donald F. Kettl • 2020
Federalism was meant to unite America. Now it divides, from your healthcare to your tap water.
3.48
64
The Divided States of America Summary
The Divided States of America 86%
Federalism was meant to unite America. Now it divides, from your healthcare to your tap water.
by Donald F. Kettl 2020
3.48
64 ratings
The American Presidency
by Charles O. Jones • 2007
The presidency was built to be strong but never supreme. Two centuries later, the tension endures.
3.41
227
The American Presidency Summary
The American Presidency 86%
The presidency was built to be strong but never supreme. Two centuries later, the tension endures.
by Charles O. Jones 2007
3.41
227 ratings
The Court v. The Voters
by Joshua A. Douglas • 2024
We trust the Court to protect voting rights. Fifty years of rulings tell a different story.
4.46
46
The Court v. The Voters Summary
The Court v. The Voters 86%
We trust the Court to protect voting rights. Fifty years of rulings tell a different story.
by Joshua A. Douglas 2024
4.46
46 ratings
American Political Parties and Elections
by L. Sandy Maisel • 2016
Why your vote matters less than your zip code: the institutional rules that run American elections.
3.39
322
American Political Parties and Elections Summary
American Political Parties and Elections 86%
Why your vote matters less than your zip code: the institutional rules that run American elections.
by L. Sandy Maisel 2016
3.39
322 ratings
The Project
by David A. Graham • 2025
A manual for capturing the state: gut the civil service, politicize the DOJ, and nullify Congress.
4.02
2k+
The Project Summary
The Project 86%
A manual for capturing the state: gut the civil service, politicize the DOJ, and nullify Congress.
by David A. Graham 2025
4.02
2k+ ratings
Operation Hollywood
by David L. Robb • 2004
The military lent Hollywood its jets and ships, then demanded veto power over the script.
3.46
72
Operation Hollywood Summary
Operation Hollywood 86%
The military lent Hollywood its jets and ships, then demanded veto power over the script.
by David L. Robb 2004
3.46
72 ratings
Age of Danger
by Andrew R. Hoehn • 2023
Built for 1947, retooled for terrorism: America's defense system is blind to the threats now coming.
3.81
70
Age of Danger Summary
Age of Danger 86%
Built for 1947, retooled for terrorism: America's defense system is blind to the threats now coming.
by Andrew R. Hoehn 2023
3.81
70 ratings
An Introduction to the Policy Process
by Thomas A. Birkland • 2001
Policy fails less from bad ideas than from the battles over attention, framing, and implementation.
3.58
288
An Introduction to the Policy Process Summary
An Introduction to the Policy Process 86%
Policy fails less from bad ideas than from the battles over attention, framing, and implementation.
by Thomas A. Birkland 2001
3.58
288 ratings
Democracy When the People Are Thinking
by James S. Fishkin • 2018
Shallow views run democracy. When citizens deliberate, their priorities shift, and policy follows.
3.82
28
Democracy When the People Are Thinking Summary
Democracy When the People Are Thinking 86%
Shallow views run democracy. When citizens deliberate, their priorities shift, and policy follows.
by James S. Fishkin 2018
3.82
28 ratings
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