Donald Trump and the Prospect for American Democracy: An Unprecedented President in an Age of Polarization

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Description

This book goes beyond examining Donald Trump as a unique and controversial President to place his election in a historical and systematic perspective. It offers an analysis of the 2016 presidential nominations and election, the economic and demographic foundations of the election of Mr. Trump, the realignment of the party system, ideological polarization in American politics, the realities of a postindustrial society locked in a global economy, and the outlook for American democracy in the twenty-first century.

Reviews

Donald Trumps presidency challenges the basic norms and values of the American experiment in democratic governance. Trump is devoid of political experience, lacks an understanding of policy, government, or international affairs, is angry, vengeful, and unpredictable, and has been accused of emotional instability with a fixation on one-man rule. How to explain such a presidency Arthur Paulson takes on the task. He places Trump within the arc of the nations political development. The results are extraordinary. A must-read for students, academicians, and those concerned with the future of American politics. Excellent! -- William J. Crotty, Northeastern University
It is chilling to contemplate, with Paulson, that party leaders who wanted to block the rise of Donald Trump failed precisely because of the party reforms of the 1960s opened the process to outsider candidates. It would seem we have less reason to worry about the current outsider populist president, than the next one from either political party.Paulson teaches us that the U.S. system can sustain intense partisan polarization but if only we can strengthen party organizations and re-learn the language of the common good. -- Scott McLean, Quinnipiac University

Author Bio

Arthur Paulson is professor emeritus of political science at Southern Connecticut State University.