Uncivil Society

The post-Cold War era in American politics has been a weird one in our history. It’s had many characteristics, but the most interesting (and troubling) to me are the twin phenomena of an ascendant and arrogant bipartisan ruling class, and the populist reaction against it.

Now, neither of these phenomena is weird in and of itself in American history. What is weird is the inability of either major party to win decisively and dominate Congress and the presidency for any length of time. We see instead the trading of the presidency and congressional majorities back and forth, resulting in gridlock.

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