by Steve Benen
First published 2020
Steve Benen examines the Republican Party's transformation from a policy-focused organization into what he terms a "post-policy party." The Emmy-winning producer of The Rachel Maddow Show argues that over the past decade, the GOP has abandoned the fundamental work of governing. Republicans have walked away from crafting meaningful legislation, analyzing competing proposals, and applying governmental expertise to solve problems. Instead, they pursue power while treating everything else as performance. This shift dominated the party's approach during Barack Obama's presidency and opened the door for Donald Trump, who cemented the party's post-policy status. Benen shows how this transformation misleads voters who expect elected Republicans to identify problems, weigh solutions, build coalitions, and govern competently. The book reveals how this political model undermines American democracy and fails to serve public interests, challenging readers to confront what happens when a major party stops governing.
Genres: political-science, non-fiction, current-affairs, american-history
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: informed-consent
Setting: United States
Period: 21st-century
1 pages · Audio CD · HarperCollins B and Blackstone Publishing