The Promise of Party in a Polarized Age

Dartmouth political scientist Muirhead brings us a thoughtful consideration of partisanship in American politics, which by his lights "encounters fewer limits" than in the past and "threatens to render the government incapable of governing." Party politics "have lost their veneer of civility and mutual respect" and are less bridled by "constitutional propriety." The common good, he warns, is the loser in all this. Muirhead dissects the ambition of power seekers, mindset of moral purists, and unreason of zealots of all persuasions. He looks admiringly at Nebraska's nonpartisan unicameral legislature but decides that as a model form of government, it is "nice %E2%80%93 too nice" for polities that contend with a "deep diversity" of opinion and outlook. As a realist, he has no time for "post-partisan fantasy." Americans cannot and should not try to paper over genuine differences in political thought, he concludes. Sadly, Muirhead's lofty, noble hopes for reasoned partisanship seem more high-minded than convincing or useful. This sensible, readable book deserves more than an academic audience. It might serve as remedial fare for elected officials and party leaders with a vested interest in self-promotional polarities. (Sept.)