First published 2008
American politics has transformed into a bitter, polarized battlefield where compromise seems impossible. Political commentator Ronald Brownstein investigates the forces behind this dramatic shift in The Second Civil War. He traces how electoral changes, shifting demographics, and institutional pressures have pushed political discourse to the extremes. Brownstein shows how these developments have created a zero-sum environment where parties view each other as enemies rather than opponents. The book examines why politicians can no longer find middle ground on critical issues facing the nation. Brownstein offers his analysis to Americans across the political spectrum who feel disturbed by current dysfunction. The book provides tools for understanding how the country reached this point and suggests pathways for moving past destructive partisanship.
Genres: american, political-science, non-fiction, 21st-century, current-affairs, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-opponents, social-commentary
Setting: United States
Period: 21st Century
496 pages · Paperback · Penguin Publishing Group