Off Center: The Republican Revolution and the Erosion of American Democracy; With a new Afterword

by Jacob S. Hacker, Paul Pierson

While most Americans remain politically moderate, American politics has careened to the right over the last two decades. Why? What can be done? This book helps make sense of recent political changes and explains how popular will is deliberately being subverted. The authors propose important reforms to strengthen our democracy and return American politics to the center."The most illuminating book on contemporary American politics to be published in over a decade. Every political journalist in America needs to read and heed this brilliant book."—Eric Alterman, author of When Presidents Lie and What Liberal Media?"Closely argued and very readable. . . . This book should become required reading for anyone interested in the triumph of the neocons or worried about where they are leading America."—Publishers Weekly

“Hacker and Pierson shrewdly assess the new structures of political power in our country and the success of conservative Republicans in mobilizing resources and framing political choices. This book is innovative, it’s important, and it will open many eyes. It is the book Karl Rove would wish he had written–if he were on the other side.”—E. J. Dionne, Jr., author of Stand Up, Fight Back and Why Americans Hate Politics

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Political Science, History

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 26, 2005

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the past few decades, the standard political consensus has been that for Washington to be fixed, both parties need to compromise: both have moved too far from the center, and must adjust to political realities.

It has become increasingly less taboo to insist that that is not true. The Democrats have remained at mostly the same point since the 90's and the GOP has moved increasingly far to the right and has become radical scornful of compromise with their political opposites. Many now argue that this has made politics in Washington increasingly difficult and more polarized (which is a term called asymmetrical polarization).

back in 2005, this was a almost extreme political view......Yet Jacob Hacker wrote an entire book arguing this point. And for the most part he makes it quite well.

the book itself is a treasure trove of Bush Era GOP political actions and activities. Its remarkable the things they did and successful got away with. its also amazing that things got even WORSE in the years after the books publication.

my only criticism is that the book does not take my preferred standard to address this issue: instead of trying to force the GOP to move to the center, the Democrats should move to the left. In the resulting conflict, we will ultimately end up in the real political center of American political opinion.

[Gary Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for those who love our country and our democracy. Although published in 2005, it is still timely for the madness, hatred the regressive are exposing. Trump being the growth of that racist, misogynistic, xenophobic , zealotry seed planted by the republican regressive . How can we stop the greedy? They buy our politicians. If both the facts and the law are against you, change the rules.

'As the dean of American public opinion studies, Philip Converse, observes: "With information as with wealth, 'them that has gets', and there is no comforting system of progressive taxation on information to help redress the drift toward glaring inequalities."

This book could be classified as a horror drama.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is all about how the Republican party has been able to force its extreme agenda on the American people despite not having much popular support for their actions. The Republican party has moved much farther to the right than the general population of the US with few consequences.

The GOP has grown progressively stronger and more organized over the past thirty years while the tricks and techniques they use to enact their skewed legislation are increasingly insidious. If you've ever wondered how exactly "democratically elected" politicians manage to serve only the rich and powerful this book might interest you.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book appealed to me because it not only pointed out how the policy decisions of the George W Bush administration and the Republican controlled Congress would play out in the future (or now, as I read this in late 2011), but also did an excellent job of showing out any party with the majority vote and millions of dollars from contributors can override the "voice of the people" and undermine democracy. This should be a must read for high-school Civics classes so up-and-coming citizens can learn of their privilege and their responsibility.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book for those who believe that the current schism between the right and the left in the American government is because both sides are running away form each other. Not true! The authors use research to show that the GOP is tilting further and further right while the democrats are sitting pretty much where they were 20 years ago.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must read!

[Papajack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a pretty picture from any angle..