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Democracy: A Case Study
A Foreign Affairs Best Book of the Year
“This absolutely splendid book is a triumph on every level. A first-rate history of the United States, it is beautifully written, deeply researched, and filled with entertaining stories. For anyone who wants to see our democracy flourish, this is the book to read.”
―Doris Kearns Goodwin
To all who say our democracy is broken―riven by partisanship, undermined by extremism, corrupted by wealth―history offers hope. Democracy ’s nineteen cases, honed in David Moss’s popular course at Harvard and taught at the Library of Congress, in state capitols, and at hundreds of high schools across the country, take us from Alexander Hamilton’s debates in the run up to the Constitutional Convention to Citizens United . Each one presents a pivotal moment in U.S. history and raises questions facing key decision makers at the Should the delegates support Madison’s proposal for a congressional veto over state laws? Should Lincoln resupply Fort Sumter? Should Florida lawmakers approve or reject the Equal Rights Amendment? Should corporations have a right to free speech? Moss invites us to engage in the passionate debates that are crucial to a healthy society.
“Engagingly written, well researched, rich in content and context…Moss believes that fierce political conflicts can be constructive if they are mediated by shared ideals.”
―Glenn C. Altschuler, Huffington Post
“Gives us the facts of key controversies in our history―from the adoption of the constitution to Citizens United ―and invites readers to decide for themselves…A valuable resource for civic education.”
―Michael Sandel, author of Justice
“This absolutely splendid book is a triumph on every level. A first-rate history of the United States, it is beautifully written, deeply researched, and filled with entertaining stories. For anyone who wants to see our democracy flourish, this is the book to read.”
―Doris Kearns Goodwin
To all who say our democracy is broken―riven by partisanship, undermined by extremism, corrupted by wealth―history offers hope. Democracy ’s nineteen cases, honed in David Moss’s popular course at Harvard and taught at the Library of Congress, in state capitols, and at hundreds of high schools across the country, take us from Alexander Hamilton’s debates in the run up to the Constitutional Convention to Citizens United . Each one presents a pivotal moment in U.S. history and raises questions facing key decision makers at the Should the delegates support Madison’s proposal for a congressional veto over state laws? Should Lincoln resupply Fort Sumter? Should Florida lawmakers approve or reject the Equal Rights Amendment? Should corporations have a right to free speech? Moss invites us to engage in the passionate debates that are crucial to a healthy society.
“Engagingly written, well researched, rich in content and context…Moss believes that fierce political conflicts can be constructive if they are mediated by shared ideals.”
―Glenn C. Altschuler, Huffington Post
“Gives us the facts of key controversies in our history―from the adoption of the constitution to Citizens United ―and invites readers to decide for themselves…A valuable resource for civic education.”
―Michael Sandel, author of Justice
784 pages, Paperback
Published March 11, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 13, 2017
The case studies are clear, well-written and very readable, but my intention of reading it cover-to-cover was unrealistic. Dip into it from time to time, and learn a lot.
January 5, 2020
A book that really isn't getting enough attention despite its manifest usefulness for teachers and scholars of US history. This book is an adaptation of the Harvard B School case study method to key decisions and moments in American political history. The purpose is to see the interaction of individuals, parties, structures, and ideas in a given setting. Each case study is a fascinating way to learn about a given topic (particularly excellent ones on the development of public education, the Australian Ballot, women's voting rights, and Citizens United).
The main theme of the book is creative tension. Moss argues (although there's relatively little argument in the book) that American democracy creates effective reforms and solutions when political parties and factions compete within a zone of trust in American institutions and procedures. He shows the adaptability of the system under numerous conditions and how new groups have worked their way into the mainstream of politics. When that trust in the processes and procedures of democracy falters, or engagement in the system declines, there's much more likely to be savage winner-take-all competition. One interesting big picture point that Moss shows is that one problem with democracy today is a lack of enthusiasm for the process. Before the rise of Progressive era electoral reforms like the Australian Ballot, politics was more raucous and engaging, with partisan parties, a day off, and a general holiday atmosphere. Politics was also geographically closer at hand, with a relatively small fed. gov't and a strong local and state gov't. Although suffrage was limited and corruption rife, voting rates of the electorate that existed were upwards of 80%. Moss has shown that as voting became more staid, if fair and inclusive, voting day has lost this fun and engaging quality, which makes people feel even further away from an already distant federal gov't. These kinds of suggestions/insights (like why it is important to make election day a fed. holiday-it isn't just an equity thing) are part of what makes this book special.
This is a fantastic resource for any scholar of American politics as well as teachers of civics, history, and gov't from high school up. The case studies might be a little long to assign as reading for anything but an upper-level college class, but they are a great way to both get the facts across and allow for debate and criticism by students. Not all of them are fascinating (I had a bit of trouble getting into the financial ones) but they are all informative and some of them highly compelling. THis book is not for everyone, but it is a great idea and a great resource.
The main theme of the book is creative tension. Moss argues (although there's relatively little argument in the book) that American democracy creates effective reforms and solutions when political parties and factions compete within a zone of trust in American institutions and procedures. He shows the adaptability of the system under numerous conditions and how new groups have worked their way into the mainstream of politics. When that trust in the processes and procedures of democracy falters, or engagement in the system declines, there's much more likely to be savage winner-take-all competition. One interesting big picture point that Moss shows is that one problem with democracy today is a lack of enthusiasm for the process. Before the rise of Progressive era electoral reforms like the Australian Ballot, politics was more raucous and engaging, with partisan parties, a day off, and a general holiday atmosphere. Politics was also geographically closer at hand, with a relatively small fed. gov't and a strong local and state gov't. Although suffrage was limited and corruption rife, voting rates of the electorate that existed were upwards of 80%. Moss has shown that as voting became more staid, if fair and inclusive, voting day has lost this fun and engaging quality, which makes people feel even further away from an already distant federal gov't. These kinds of suggestions/insights (like why it is important to make election day a fed. holiday-it isn't just an equity thing) are part of what makes this book special.
This is a fantastic resource for any scholar of American politics as well as teachers of civics, history, and gov't from high school up. The case studies might be a little long to assign as reading for anything but an upper-level college class, but they are a great way to both get the facts across and allow for debate and criticism by students. Not all of them are fascinating (I had a bit of trouble getting into the financial ones) but they are all informative and some of them highly compelling. THis book is not for everyone, but it is a great idea and a great resource.
April 8, 2020
Historian David Moss has a theory about our current societal hyper-partisanship. He argues that numerous times in American history our society was sharply divided on political matters that frayed the edges of partisan accommodation. In all of these instances (at least before the 1960's or 1970's), these intense and highly partisan divisions had solutions that had a common thread - what was best for our democratic system?
In democracy, the book argues, partisan conflict itself should not be cause for alarm. Indeed, it is one of the hallmarks of our system. Vigorous debate on issues of policy are productive in so far as they lead to introspection and stronger, more thoughtful and widely accepted solutions to the challenges of modern American society. "Yet as we have seen," Moss comments, "partisan conflict, while generally constructive, can also prove destructive at times, with the balance depending at least in part on the degree of shared commitment to the democracy itself."
Here he sounds his warning about the current threats to our democratic system. "For years now, there have been subtle indications that the nation's policy debates have become more focused on specific goals and less infused with discussions of democracy - democratic processes, solutions and objectives - than they once were."
In this book of Harvard business school-like case studies of American democracy stress tested, Moss walks us through how a challenged democratic system responded to (and resolved) conflict. In his conclusion he reviews the lessons of the case studies and provides a number of suggestions (based on historical experiences) for strengthening our democratic system.
One of his more interesting (and I believe important) points is that democracy is not just our laws and institutions. Indeed, while "there is often a tendency to focus mainly on formal institutions... in a system as complex as ours problems (and solutions) can easily take root in less visible places, including far away from the official organs of power."
He goes on to say that "if shared faith in the democracy is ultimately the glue that holds Americans together - making one out of many and, in turn, rendering partisan conflict constructive rather than destructive - then any diminution in Americans' faith in each other and in their capacity for self-government is cause for concern."
In other words, our belief in democracy itself as well as the long established norms and behaviors in our system may be just as important to the proper functioning of democracy as our institutions and laws.
I would argue that the recent subversion of traditional norms of democratic behavior in the halls of power and the loss of faith in the democratic system by many Americans represents the greatest threat to democracy since the civil war.
I don't agree with all the recommendations on democracy reform that Moss makes in his conclusion, but I appreciate that someone is considering what is good for our democratic system rather than what is good for any particular partisan tribe. (One might even say that Moss is arguing for "country over party").
My last comment is a criticism of form and content. This is a very long book and I would argue not the better for it. The case studies drag on and sometime become a slog. I had to force myself through several of them as they bogged down in technical detail of personalities or context. Half the number of case studies and much abbreviated cases would have made the author's points more effectively.
The ideas in the introduction and conclusion are worth reading, but if you choose to take up this tome, be prepared for some long days before finishing.
In democracy, the book argues, partisan conflict itself should not be cause for alarm. Indeed, it is one of the hallmarks of our system. Vigorous debate on issues of policy are productive in so far as they lead to introspection and stronger, more thoughtful and widely accepted solutions to the challenges of modern American society. "Yet as we have seen," Moss comments, "partisan conflict, while generally constructive, can also prove destructive at times, with the balance depending at least in part on the degree of shared commitment to the democracy itself."
Here he sounds his warning about the current threats to our democratic system. "For years now, there have been subtle indications that the nation's policy debates have become more focused on specific goals and less infused with discussions of democracy - democratic processes, solutions and objectives - than they once were."
In this book of Harvard business school-like case studies of American democracy stress tested, Moss walks us through how a challenged democratic system responded to (and resolved) conflict. In his conclusion he reviews the lessons of the case studies and provides a number of suggestions (based on historical experiences) for strengthening our democratic system.
One of his more interesting (and I believe important) points is that democracy is not just our laws and institutions. Indeed, while "there is often a tendency to focus mainly on formal institutions... in a system as complex as ours problems (and solutions) can easily take root in less visible places, including far away from the official organs of power."
He goes on to say that "if shared faith in the democracy is ultimately the glue that holds Americans together - making one out of many and, in turn, rendering partisan conflict constructive rather than destructive - then any diminution in Americans' faith in each other and in their capacity for self-government is cause for concern."
In other words, our belief in democracy itself as well as the long established norms and behaviors in our system may be just as important to the proper functioning of democracy as our institutions and laws.
I would argue that the recent subversion of traditional norms of democratic behavior in the halls of power and the loss of faith in the democratic system by many Americans represents the greatest threat to democracy since the civil war.
I don't agree with all the recommendations on democracy reform that Moss makes in his conclusion, but I appreciate that someone is considering what is good for our democratic system rather than what is good for any particular partisan tribe. (One might even say that Moss is arguing for "country over party").
My last comment is a criticism of form and content. This is a very long book and I would argue not the better for it. The case studies drag on and sometime become a slog. I had to force myself through several of them as they bogged down in technical detail of personalities or context. Half the number of case studies and much abbreviated cases would have made the author's points more effectively.
The ideas in the introduction and conclusion are worth reading, but if you choose to take up this tome, be prepared for some long days before finishing.
August 12, 2021
Plot:
Nineteen case studies were created to show key moments of democracy in America’s history. Going in a chronological order, the first case study Moss looks into is the making of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, and the last case study was in 2010 about Individuals and Corporations. Seeking to allow readers to understand the individuals, political parties' interactions, the current political structure at the given setting and to allow us to understand why these political decisions were made at that time. From free education, radio, women’s rights, and the creation of the banking system, historian David Moss goes into depth on these cases, and educates the reader on American history and how democracy actually works.
Thoughts:
This book is hard to read, but definitely worth it if politics and government are what you are into. With dense case studies, David Moss does not care about length, only that the most amount of detail can be presented. This is why this book towers over seven hundred pages, with each case study being around forty pages. This book is not recommended to read cover to cover, but to take the topic you are interested in and read that case study. For example, my eyes were glazed throughout the Battle of the Banks (case study #2), however found the one about the making of the U.S. Constitution (case study #1) and the Australian ballot (case study #10) to be quite eye-opening. Moss took their time in detailing the case studies to show both sides of the argument, memorable characters and made democracy seem to be a living being and not some hard to grasp. With well-written case studies, this may not be the most exciting book one can read, but it definitely is one of the more knowledgeable non-textbook that one can read. As this book is entirely United States history based, it can be hard to relate if you do not live there. However, many of these case studies are about broader concepts that have been seen in other countries, like women’s rights (case study #17), that you can read and then relate back to your own home nation. Overall, if you want to know the history of how things like public education, the U.S. Constitution, and what Martin Luther King Jr. did for black voters in the U.S., this book would be the one for you as Moss takes readers through historical case studies that lead America to where it is today.
Nineteen case studies were created to show key moments of democracy in America’s history. Going in a chronological order, the first case study Moss looks into is the making of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, and the last case study was in 2010 about Individuals and Corporations. Seeking to allow readers to understand the individuals, political parties' interactions, the current political structure at the given setting and to allow us to understand why these political decisions were made at that time. From free education, radio, women’s rights, and the creation of the banking system, historian David Moss goes into depth on these cases, and educates the reader on American history and how democracy actually works.
Thoughts:
This book is hard to read, but definitely worth it if politics and government are what you are into. With dense case studies, David Moss does not care about length, only that the most amount of detail can be presented. This is why this book towers over seven hundred pages, with each case study being around forty pages. This book is not recommended to read cover to cover, but to take the topic you are interested in and read that case study. For example, my eyes were glazed throughout the Battle of the Banks (case study #2), however found the one about the making of the U.S. Constitution (case study #1) and the Australian ballot (case study #10) to be quite eye-opening. Moss took their time in detailing the case studies to show both sides of the argument, memorable characters and made democracy seem to be a living being and not some hard to grasp. With well-written case studies, this may not be the most exciting book one can read, but it definitely is one of the more knowledgeable non-textbook that one can read. As this book is entirely United States history based, it can be hard to relate if you do not live there. However, many of these case studies are about broader concepts that have been seen in other countries, like women’s rights (case study #17), that you can read and then relate back to your own home nation. Overall, if you want to know the history of how things like public education, the U.S. Constitution, and what Martin Luther King Jr. did for black voters in the U.S., this book would be the one for you as Moss takes readers through historical case studies that lead America to where it is today.
August 6, 2017
A very important book for American society during these turbulent times. The case studies can be long and tedious--I only got through the first three, and a quarter of the lengthy book. Great as reference points for big decisions/outcomes on particular significant national issues throughout American history. The conclusion was the most interesting, as it presents novel and sensible solutions, even if they are a bit aspirational. The conclusion should be a must-read for high school and college civics courses.
July 15, 2019
A fun way to present intro civics
The book is presented as a series of HBS cases on key historical moments in US democracy. It’s a good introduction to some of the debates that shaped our country and a window into the political process itself, throughout time. The cases, read alone without subsequent classroom discussion, do lose some of their vibrancy and resonance. That said, this is a worthy introduction to the history of the US democratic process for those of us that had sub-standard civics education in school.
The book is presented as a series of HBS cases on key historical moments in US democracy. It’s a good introduction to some of the debates that shaped our country and a window into the political process itself, throughout time. The cases, read alone without subsequent classroom discussion, do lose some of their vibrancy and resonance. That said, this is a worthy introduction to the history of the US democratic process for those of us that had sub-standard civics education in school.
January 15, 2019
VERY long and dense but a fascinating read - it's essentially a compilation of cases that get you thinking about broader topics (what the right to vote is worth, how to protect minority viewpoints in a democracy, etc) rather than giving you the answer.
Makes me a bit less nervous about the state of our country today, if we can all work together to strengthen our institutions even if we disagree about what political actors within those institutions should do.
Makes me a bit less nervous about the state of our country today, if we can all work together to strengthen our institutions even if we disagree about what political actors within those institutions should do.
July 8, 2017
The case #1 titled James Madison, the "Federal Negative"and the Making of the U.S. Constitution (1787) is the most interesting to me.
December 14, 2017
Wow. Very impressive in its scope. I learned a few new things about our U.S. history.
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September 3, 2019A well-researched account of United States history. A must-read to understand the movements that have shaped our nation.
September 16, 2019
An engaging account of some of the turning points of US history, filled with detailed research.
September 8, 2022
High information density and could be a slog in places.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews