Ebook: Red and Blue Nation?: Consequences and Correction of America's Polarized Politics

America's political parties are sharply polarized these days—and some of this polarization extends well beyond the political class to large segments of the mass electorate. As the 2008 presidential race kicks into gear, the political climate certainly is not becoming less polarized. With important issues to address—such as immigration, health care, and funding of the Iraq war—it is critical that essential policies not be hostage to partisan political battles. Building on the findings of the first volume of Red and Blue Nation? (Brookings, 2006), which explored the extent of political polarization and its potential causes, this new volume delves into the consequences of the gulf between "red states" and "blue states." The authors examine the impact of these political divisions on voter behavior, congressional lawmaking, judicial selection, and foreign policy formation. They shed light on hotly debated institutional reform proposals-including changes to the electoral system and the congressional rules of engagement-and ultimately present research-supported policies and reforms for alleviating the underlying causes of political polarization. While most discussion of polarization takes place in separate spheres of journalism and academia, Red and Blue Nation? brings together a unique set of voices with a wide variety of perspectives to enrich our understanding of the issue. Written in a broad, accessible style, it is a resource for anyone concerned about the future of electoral politics in America. Contributors: Joel D. Aberbach (University of California - Los Angeles), Peter Beinart (Council on Foreign Relations), Sarah A. Binder (Brookings Institution and George Washington University), Deborah Jordan Brooks (Dartmouth College), Andrea L. Campbell (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Larry Diamond (Hoover Institution), John Ferejohn (Hoover Institution), Christopher H. Foreman Jr. (Brookings Institution and University of Maryland), William A. Galston (Brookings Institution), John G. Geer (Vanderbilt University), Laurel Harbridge (Stanford University), Marc J. Hetherington (Vanderbilt University), Keith Krehbiel (Stanford University), Eric M. Patashnik (University of Virginia), Nelson W. Polsby (University of California - Berkeley), Jonathan Rauch (Brookings Institution and National Journal), Martin Shapiro (University of California - Berkeley), Barbara Sinclair (University of California - Los Angeles), Martin P. Wattenberg (University of California - Irvine), James Q. Wilson (Pepperdine University), and Benjamin Wittes (Brookings Institution).