John R. Hibbing

This is a book that should be read by everyone who is interested in politics, especially if you are strongly Liberal or Conservative. This book is surprisingly neutral in its treatment of the political divide, and makes it very clear that neither Liberals nor Conservatives are inherently better, they are just different. In fact, due to underlying biological and genetic differences, Liberals and Conservatives actually see a different world from each other. This goes far in explaining why it show more is essentially impossible to reason across the divide and change the mind of the opposing side--it is more about predispositions than facts. This book will not likely help lessen the partisan divide, but it should at least help people understand why those on the other side think and believe the way they do. They are not stupid or lacking in common sense, they just respond differently to many stimuli and see the world as a different place. Fascinating and challenging ideas. show less

Examining how people want their democratic government to work, this study finds that Americans don't like many of the practices associated with democracy: the conflicts, the debates, the compromises. It finds that Americans don't want to have to see democracy in practice, nor do they want to be involved in politics. If American citizens had their way, political decisions would be made by unselfish decision-makers, lessening the need for monitoring government.