Its Even Worse Than It Looks, Thomas E. Mann
Its Even Worse Than It Looks, Thomas E. Mann
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It's Even Worse Than It Looks
How the American Constitutional System Collided with the New Politics of Extremism

Author: Thomas E. Mann, Norman J. Ornstein

Narrator: William Hughes

Unabridged: 7 hr 36 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/09/2016

Synopsis

Hyperpartisanship has gridlocked the American government. Congress’ approval ratings are at record lows, and both Democrats and Republicans are disgusted by the government’s inability to get anything done. In It’s Even Worse Than It Looks, Congressional scholars Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein present a grim picture of how party polarization and tribal politics have led Congress—and the United States—to the brink of institutional failure.In this revised edition, the authors bring their seminal book up to date in a political environment that is more divided than ever. The underlying dynamics of the situation—extremist Republicans holding government hostage to their own ideological, antigovernment beliefs—have only gotten worse, further bolstering their argument that Republicans are not merely ideologically different from Democrats, but engaged in a unique form of politics that undermines the system itself. Without a fundamental change in the character and course of the Republican Party, we may have a long way to go before we hit rock bottom.

About Thomas E. Mann

Thomas E. Mann is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a resident scholar at the Institute of Governmental Studies, University of California, Berkeley.

About Norman J. Ornstein

Norman J. Ornstein is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a contributing editor and columnist for National Journal and the Atlantic, with a column entitled Washington Inside Out.

About William Hughes

William Hughes is an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator. A professor of political science at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon, he received his doctorate in American politics from the University of California at Davis. He has done voice-over work for radio and film and is also an accomplished jazz guitarist.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Jay on September 15, 2012

Asymmetry. Perhaps the most relevant concept in understanding the full brace of change that is this new century is “asymmetry.” The simple Webster definition is: not identical on both sides of a central line. In other words, it is a mistake to try to understand something that is asymmetrical by using......more

Goodreads review by Lis on May 22, 2012

This is a scary book. First, it needs to be said that Ornstein and Mann are not "liberals" in any sense. They are, at most, center-right conservatives. They are respected and popular pundits "inside the Beltway" and frequent guests on the Sunday political talk shows. At least, before they published th......more

Goodreads review by John on December 24, 2023

4.5... It's nice to find a well researched and articulate book that gives voice to the confusion and bewilderment I have experienced watching political discourse and activity over the past couple of years in this country, especially since Obama was elected. I have had so many WTF moments, incredulo......more

Goodreads review by Marijah on December 21, 2012

At first I was concerned that the authors were presenting too slanted a perspective but as I continued to read I discovered that they'd plenty of evidence and facts to back up their claims. I wound up being very convinced, and depressed, by the view they have of our current American political climat......more

Goodreads review by Ownbymom on September 21, 2012

Bias alert. It's always easy to read a book which agrees with your personal bias, and this book fits that category for me. Mann and Ornstein recently spoke on our campus and reminded me of why I enjoyed the book. Their thesis is that currently Congress is completely dysfunctional because we have a c......more

Quotes

“Mann and Ornstein diagnose the roots of our nation’s new legislative order. In doing so, they draw attention to the forces holding back America’s future.” Bill Clinton

“Reading this book is a little like quaffing a double espresso on an empty stomach—it’s a jolt. For this reader it was a welcome jolt…As Mann and Ornstein document so vividly, at a time when only good government could help us rediscover our footing as a nation, our Grand Old Party defines itself as the party of antigovernment. This is why the title of this book is so good: our situation really is even worse than it looks.” Washington Post

“A powerful and angry new book by two scholars at two respected think tanks.” Economist

“[A] compelling analysis of the gridlock that characterizes America’s domestic politics.” Mitchell Report

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