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The Reunited States of America: How We Can Bridge the Partisan Divide
This book, at its core, is about what has made America great and how we can restore that greatness if we seize the opportunities before us. On the Great Seal of the Unites States it says Our country's motto is E pluribus unum out of many, one but you'd never know it now, says mediator and civic entrepreneur Mark Gerzon. In the past, Americans could disagree without demonizing each other. But now healthy partisan debate is being replaced by hyperpartisan political brawling. Loyalty to party is overpowering love of country.
We need a new attitude if we're going to confront the challenges our country faces. Gerzon and others call it transpartisan this book is the transpartisan movement's manifesto.
Transpartisans are open to learning from each other instead of insisting they already have all the answers. They work respectfully with people they disagree with instead of vilifying and avoiding them. They're willing to try new solutions instead of clinging to the old approaches. And after the campaign is over, they insist their elected representatives come together to govern not just continue campaigning.
Gerzon describes how transpartisan activists all over the country Republicans, Democrats, and independents are finding common ground on some of the most divisive and difficult issues we face today: abortion, gun control, sex education, defense spending, prison reform, and more. We can take the poison out of partisanship and put a stop to the seemingly endless Left-Right fistfight. Mark Gerzon explains what we all can do to strengthen our sense of unity while honoring the vital role of conflicting points of view.
"
We need a new attitude if we're going to confront the challenges our country faces. Gerzon and others call it transpartisan this book is the transpartisan movement's manifesto.
Transpartisans are open to learning from each other instead of insisting they already have all the answers. They work respectfully with people they disagree with instead of vilifying and avoiding them. They're willing to try new solutions instead of clinging to the old approaches. And after the campaign is over, they insist their elected representatives come together to govern not just continue campaigning.
Gerzon describes how transpartisan activists all over the country Republicans, Democrats, and independents are finding common ground on some of the most divisive and difficult issues we face today: abortion, gun control, sex education, defense spending, prison reform, and more. We can take the poison out of partisanship and put a stop to the seemingly endless Left-Right fistfight. Mark Gerzon explains what we all can do to strengthen our sense of unity while honoring the vital role of conflicting points of view.
"
216 pages, Paperback
First published February 29, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 19, 2016
The idea and meaning behind this book is stellar. I found myself nodding for most of it.
Part I told of some very interesting organizations that are bridging partisan divides, and I learned a few things about the election process.
Part II is what dropped this down from 3 stars to 2. It felt all fluff, like he was just trying to fill out the book. Much of it felt repetitive and I found myself skimming paragraphs to hurry it up.
Excellent start, puttered at the end.
But I still appreciate the overall message.
Part I told of some very interesting organizations that are bridging partisan divides, and I learned a few things about the election process.
Part II is what dropped this down from 3 stars to 2. It felt all fluff, like he was just trying to fill out the book. Much of it felt repetitive and I found myself skimming paragraphs to hurry it up.
Excellent start, puttered at the end.
But I still appreciate the overall message.
December 27, 2016
Not a page turner, but gives hope that all is not lost in a world seeming completely divided. Provides good resources and reminds us all we can learn about and respect views different than our own without sacrificing our beliefs....and that the melding of diverse views produces a whole better than the sum of its parts, this is what makes America great....
August 17, 2016
Disappointed in this book that read much like an informercial. Although Gerzon touted his proposals, it felt like he left out the hidden ingredient, and boasted of only fading results.
Gerzon's proposals work within the established bounds to tame the hyperpartisan beast. Partisanship in the U.S., however, is too powerful to be subdued by mediation and good-will. Despite a fatal disgnosis by Gerzon, he prescribes aspirin.
His boasting of independent leadership from outside the partisan system made me wonder what he thought of Donald Trump. As I neared the end of the book I didn't remember seeing Trump mentioned, and his name is not listed in the index, so I looked elsewhere to see what Gerzon thinks. In an article he wrote in November of 2015, Gerzon says, "I predict that, within 90 days, Mr. Trump wil be discredited just as Joseph McCarthy was before him. His followers will quietly shift their allegiance to Bush, Kasich or Rubio." (Gerzon, "Emperor Trump has no clothes," 30 Nov 15, www.linkedin.com) Admitadely, my predictions were similar last November, but then again I'm not claiming to be an expert and selling books about what I have to say.
Gerzon also spent several pages arguing for open primaries. For example, on page 114 of Reunited he favored "...that the ballot be open to qualified citizens regardless of whether they are members of the two-party club." Ironically, "Trump romped in 'open primaries' where non-Republicans voted by the thousands and may have influenced the outcome--expecially in early states that set the tone for the entire race." (Kyle Cheney, "Never (Again) Trump' sets sights on 2020," 12 May 16, www.politico.com (accessed 16 Aug 16). Gerzon's presciption of open primaries has backfired. Since open primaries (also called for by Trump) were a contributing factor to Trump's nomination, one would suspect that Trump would be reuniting Americans. Instead, Trump can't even unite his own party, much less the opposing sides. So far, the open primary elected nominiee has been a divider, not a reuniter.
Finally, Gerzon complains about the two-sided hyperpartisanship in the United States, but his spends little time on third parties. He does mention Libertarians and Greens, but there are many more third parties that unfluence voters, such as the Constitutional Party. This goes to show that Gerzon is part of the party system, makes his living diagnosing poliltical maladies without prescribing a cure.
Gerzon's proposals work within the established bounds to tame the hyperpartisan beast. Partisanship in the U.S., however, is too powerful to be subdued by mediation and good-will. Despite a fatal disgnosis by Gerzon, he prescribes aspirin.
His boasting of independent leadership from outside the partisan system made me wonder what he thought of Donald Trump. As I neared the end of the book I didn't remember seeing Trump mentioned, and his name is not listed in the index, so I looked elsewhere to see what Gerzon thinks. In an article he wrote in November of 2015, Gerzon says, "I predict that, within 90 days, Mr. Trump wil be discredited just as Joseph McCarthy was before him. His followers will quietly shift their allegiance to Bush, Kasich or Rubio." (Gerzon, "Emperor Trump has no clothes," 30 Nov 15, www.linkedin.com) Admitadely, my predictions were similar last November, but then again I'm not claiming to be an expert and selling books about what I have to say.
Gerzon also spent several pages arguing for open primaries. For example, on page 114 of Reunited he favored "...that the ballot be open to qualified citizens regardless of whether they are members of the two-party club." Ironically, "Trump romped in 'open primaries' where non-Republicans voted by the thousands and may have influenced the outcome--expecially in early states that set the tone for the entire race." (Kyle Cheney, "Never (Again) Trump' sets sights on 2020," 12 May 16, www.politico.com (accessed 16 Aug 16). Gerzon's presciption of open primaries has backfired. Since open primaries (also called for by Trump) were a contributing factor to Trump's nomination, one would suspect that Trump would be reuniting Americans. Instead, Trump can't even unite his own party, much less the opposing sides. So far, the open primary elected nominiee has been a divider, not a reuniter.
Finally, Gerzon complains about the two-sided hyperpartisanship in the United States, but his spends little time on third parties. He does mention Libertarians and Greens, but there are many more third parties that unfluence voters, such as the Constitutional Party. This goes to show that Gerzon is part of the party system, makes his living diagnosing poliltical maladies without prescribing a cure.
February 6, 2017
Incredible book with practical tips about how to reduce the partisan divide by focusing on common ground to make America strong by listening to, respecting, and seeking to understand different points of view. Deliberate, intentional acts of building relationships with people who have different experiences and points of view and changing our media diets to venues that stretch our information and viewpoints rather than reinforce our existing viewpoints are some examples of the very real and timely advice provided in Mark Gerzon's book.
January 1, 2021
I had high hopes for The Reunited States of America by Mark Gerzon. Partisan politics in the US have been bad for years. Even when it seems that the problems can’t get worse, they do.
Gerzon seems to be very optimistic about the potential to solve these political problems. Part of his optimism comes from examples of small organizations across the US that are already working to bring people of different parties together to have civil and constructive conversations.
The book is disappointing, though. Gerzon’s characterization of the problems today are unfocused and repetitive. Chapter 1, for example, ranges from confirmation bias to the lack of education in civics. Those are very different concepts so it isn’t obvious they belong together in the chapter. Neither concept is developed deeply. If the lack of education in civics has contributed to our fundamental partisan challenges, it would have been helpful to learn more about when that began, and how that issue is connected to the broader problem.
As another example, chapter 2 begins with a problem statement about control, but Gerzon doesn’t focus on that as the actual theme of that chapter. The actual theme is either that relationships matter, or communication ground rules matter. Those ideas are probably both important, but Gerzon doesn’t spell that out. That pattern continues through the book. His analysis of the problem of the political divisions is very superficial. A clear understanding of a problem doesn’t guarantee that you will be able to solve it, but the lack of a clear understanding of a problem pretty much does guarantee that you won’t be able to solve it.
Despite the mushy analysis of the problem, I was interested in the many examples of organizations that are trying to address aspects of the problem. Here, too, though, Gerzon was very superficial. He presents an impressive number of organizations, but without any real analysis of how effective any of them are. In one or two cases there are some indications that an organization was effective in getting diverse groups to have a constructive conversation. While that sounds promising, do these programs lead to meaningful change in attitudes or behavior? Do the changes last, or are people willing to be civil only during a workshop or retreat? Are the approaches scalable enough to make a difference across the country, or are they limited to small group settings? In several cases Gerzon provides evidence from his own efforts that when people leave his workshop, effective ground rules for civility go out the window. I also have to wonder, with all these organizations working already, why does it seem that partisanship and gridlock is getting worse rather than better? There seems to be a lot of raw material that could be mined for important lessons, but Gerzon didn’t do that analysis.
I wish the book had included a few additional topics, too. A historical perspective might have been interesting. The country was highly polarized when it was first founded. The civil war era was obviously a very polarizing time, with Abraham Lincoln elected partly due to dysfunctional politics. A perspective beyond the US might have been interesting, too. Is it just the US that is suffering these ills? Are some countries doing better, or worse? It would be very helpful to draw out some lessons that could be relevant to us.
The ideas behind The Reunited States of America are important. This book, though, is too superficial to provide any real insight.
Gerzon seems to be very optimistic about the potential to solve these political problems. Part of his optimism comes from examples of small organizations across the US that are already working to bring people of different parties together to have civil and constructive conversations.
The book is disappointing, though. Gerzon’s characterization of the problems today are unfocused and repetitive. Chapter 1, for example, ranges from confirmation bias to the lack of education in civics. Those are very different concepts so it isn’t obvious they belong together in the chapter. Neither concept is developed deeply. If the lack of education in civics has contributed to our fundamental partisan challenges, it would have been helpful to learn more about when that began, and how that issue is connected to the broader problem.
As another example, chapter 2 begins with a problem statement about control, but Gerzon doesn’t focus on that as the actual theme of that chapter. The actual theme is either that relationships matter, or communication ground rules matter. Those ideas are probably both important, but Gerzon doesn’t spell that out. That pattern continues through the book. His analysis of the problem of the political divisions is very superficial. A clear understanding of a problem doesn’t guarantee that you will be able to solve it, but the lack of a clear understanding of a problem pretty much does guarantee that you won’t be able to solve it.
Despite the mushy analysis of the problem, I was interested in the many examples of organizations that are trying to address aspects of the problem. Here, too, though, Gerzon was very superficial. He presents an impressive number of organizations, but without any real analysis of how effective any of them are. In one or two cases there are some indications that an organization was effective in getting diverse groups to have a constructive conversation. While that sounds promising, do these programs lead to meaningful change in attitudes or behavior? Do the changes last, or are people willing to be civil only during a workshop or retreat? Are the approaches scalable enough to make a difference across the country, or are they limited to small group settings? In several cases Gerzon provides evidence from his own efforts that when people leave his workshop, effective ground rules for civility go out the window. I also have to wonder, with all these organizations working already, why does it seem that partisanship and gridlock is getting worse rather than better? There seems to be a lot of raw material that could be mined for important lessons, but Gerzon didn’t do that analysis.
I wish the book had included a few additional topics, too. A historical perspective might have been interesting. The country was highly polarized when it was first founded. The civil war era was obviously a very polarizing time, with Abraham Lincoln elected partly due to dysfunctional politics. A perspective beyond the US might have been interesting, too. Is it just the US that is suffering these ills? Are some countries doing better, or worse? It would be very helpful to draw out some lessons that could be relevant to us.
The ideas behind The Reunited States of America are important. This book, though, is too superficial to provide any real insight.
January 15, 2017
I truly believe this book is one that would be beneficial for every American to read, regardless of political affiliation. It is a great reminder of what our country stood for those many years ago and why it is still important today. It has great resources and inspiring stories that bring hope that our leaders can, should and hopefully soon start working TOGETHER again instead of bull-headedly proceeding as if anyone with the slightest difference in view is 100% wrong and have nothing valuable to add.
If you are fustrated with divisiveness of our "United" states, tired of our leaders not doing their jobs to work together FOR American people, this book is for you.
Regardless of your affiliation, if you were saddened or disappointed by this last election (2016 Presidential), from the campaigns themselves to the end results, this book is a must.
I have to say, I never have been a political minded person. I have "hated politics" as long as I can remember. I find politics frustrating and defeating. I was excited to read this book because I have come to realise that my attitude is not making me a very good citizen, is it? It is my duty to educate myself and do what I can to make sure this great Country of ours remains great. I believe in the importance of people with diverse opinions and knowledge working together. I agree with the Author that our diversity is what makes our country great. We need to harness our diversity not condemn it.
If you are fustrated with divisiveness of our "United" states, tired of our leaders not doing their jobs to work together FOR American people, this book is for you.
Regardless of your affiliation, if you were saddened or disappointed by this last election (2016 Presidential), from the campaigns themselves to the end results, this book is a must.
I have to say, I never have been a political minded person. I have "hated politics" as long as I can remember. I find politics frustrating and defeating. I was excited to read this book because I have come to realise that my attitude is not making me a very good citizen, is it? It is my duty to educate myself and do what I can to make sure this great Country of ours remains great. I believe in the importance of people with diverse opinions and knowledge working together. I agree with the Author that our diversity is what makes our country great. We need to harness our diversity not condemn it.
May 8, 2018
As vapid as some of the ideas in this book seem, as a whole it is a breath of fresh air. The general point of the book isn't to draw a new political map, but rather to illuminate ideas that already exist and then implement them, the main idea being E Pluribus Unum. It seems that if American democracy is going to survive, we need to change the hyperpartisan us vs. them, left vs. right, conservative vs. liberal dynamics that have torn us apart and kept the government gridlocked. Working together, we can bridge the partisan divide.
Let us neither express nor cherish any hard feelings toward any citizen who...has differed with us. Let us at all times remember than all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in the bonds of fraternal feeling. -Abraham Lincoln
Democracy needs a place to sit down. -Hannah Arendt
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. -Tenth Amendment of the Bill of Rights
-nowhere does the U.S. Constitution mention political parties
Having banished from our land that religious intolerance under which mankind so long bled and suffered, we have yet gained little if we countenance a political intolerance as despotic and wicked. -Thomas Jefferson's Inaugural Address, 1801
Let us neither express nor cherish any hard feelings toward any citizen who...has differed with us. Let us at all times remember than all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in the bonds of fraternal feeling. -Abraham Lincoln
Democracy needs a place to sit down. -Hannah Arendt
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. -Tenth Amendment of the Bill of Rights
-nowhere does the U.S. Constitution mention political parties
Having banished from our land that religious intolerance under which mankind so long bled and suffered, we have yet gained little if we countenance a political intolerance as despotic and wicked. -Thomas Jefferson's Inaugural Address, 1801
August 22, 2017
I read this book after hearing the author speak at an event put on by the local library. He sat down in front of me before the event started and we chatted for several minutes. After his presentation, he gifted me a copy of his book!
I am part of a group called Mormon Women for Ethical Government. We are a non-partisan non-profit group of about 4000 women in the United States and around the world who are becoming informed and actively engaged in our political world. Reading this book reinforced many of the ideas that we are espousing in our group and gave me new information about, insights to, and ways to articulate the perils of hyper-partisanship and the value of civility and relationships in government and real decision-making endeavors.
I took tons of notes in the margins and will be sharing thoughts with my MWEG group. This book is a good one for anyone interested in engaging in the public sphere--and especially for those who are *really* interested in getting beyond the partisan squabbles and stalemate. I wish more of our public officers would listen to Mark Gerzon. (He has led workshops and retreats with Congressional leaders and their staff.)
I am part of a group called Mormon Women for Ethical Government. We are a non-partisan non-profit group of about 4000 women in the United States and around the world who are becoming informed and actively engaged in our political world. Reading this book reinforced many of the ideas that we are espousing in our group and gave me new information about, insights to, and ways to articulate the perils of hyper-partisanship and the value of civility and relationships in government and real decision-making endeavors.
I took tons of notes in the margins and will be sharing thoughts with my MWEG group. This book is a good one for anyone interested in engaging in the public sphere--and especially for those who are *really* interested in getting beyond the partisan squabbles and stalemate. I wish more of our public officers would listen to Mark Gerzon. (He has led workshops and retreats with Congressional leaders and their staff.)
November 25, 2018
Not at all what I was hoping for. I finished this book even more worried for our future than when I started it. If this guy is advising our leaders on how to get along, then no wonder how we got here. IRV, anti gerrymandering laws, anti money in politics laws, anti lobbying laws. Those are things that could help. Telling us to move toward the middle through cooperation and compromise is like preaching abstinence and not providing education and condoms. Sorry, but the country is going to get pregnant, because human nature is a much more powerful force than good intentions. I only hope this guy learned his lesson.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2017
Good ideas, but his hucksterish tone annoys me. I also think he's a bit of a Pollyanna in that I see much resistance to the things he suggests from both sides. I, for one, can't imagine life without making fun of conservatives ;).
February 18, 2019
Important and hopeful. Let’s get to work!
Several vignettes and a list of what to do. A bit dry, but a good look at the insufficiency of the “two party” or dualistic political system we are currently trapped in.
Several vignettes and a list of what to do. A bit dry, but a good look at the insufficiency of the “two party” or dualistic political system we are currently trapped in.
May 7, 2019
CON - Lacks substance. More carpe diem inspiration than fact-based analysis. I learned little.
PRO - Great cause. Nice man. Right focus.
PRO - Great cause. Nice man. Right focus.
January 13, 2022
So-so. Some obvious information, other information less obvious.
July 30, 2016
Political polarization has lead to many problems here in America. The author speaks tactfully about both parties which is quite refreshing. The points addressed in this book may be key in bridging the polarizing divide. This book helped me have more patience and changed the way I want to approach politics in the community.
October 13, 2016
Good read...continuing to educate ourselves is the answer. Reading the book, I managed to bookmark a number of organizations and news sources that offer broader views and answers to problem's our Nation is faced.
Read
January 24, 2017A good book that promotes people with different ideologies working together to solve our nation's problems. Lots of great organizations highlighted here.
April 13, 2017
This should be required reading, especially in these divided times!
Read
March 9, 2018Gerzon is relentlessly optimistic which is absolutely essential when claiming you know how to counteract the polarization that is taking place in politics. I agree -- and believe -- that Gerzon is sharing techniques -- simple, human techniques -- that will work. Here's the sad part: I don't know how to get people to read the book nor implement these simple changes that would have such a profound impact on the world around us. Write me if you do!
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