Cengage Advantage Books: The Irony of Democracy: An Uncommon Introduction to American Politics

by Thomas R. Dye

The elites and not the masses govern our country is the theme of this affordable CENGAGE ADVANTAGE BOOKS version ofTHE IRONY OF DEMOCRACY. Known for its "elitist approach" to American Government, this text presents its argument in a new context--the politics of the 21st century--including the Clinton and Bush Administrations effects on government and politics the U.S.

Genres: Politics, Political Science, Nonfiction, History

481 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Irony of Democracy is a book that explores the American government in a light that not many people see it in. In this book, Thomas Dye sights many examples while proving the point that our government is not one that is run by the people. Dye states that the United States of America is a nation that is run by a handful of “elite” individuals. These people generally gain power not by influencing the masses with popular ideas, but by using their money. This is evident even in the earliest years of the country in that the founders were upper-class, white males. They did not represent the majority of people in the new country. Dye also makes the point that every branch of our government is controlled by the elite. He is especially skeptical of the judicial branch because the nine judges are not elected, yet they have the power to overrule the elected officials of congress and the house. I see these issues in the same way that Dye sees them and I agree with most of his points.
One aspect of The Irony of Democracy that jumped out to me was the miniscule about of power that each individual citizen has. Dye covers this in great detail in chapter one. Even with just a small amount of research, one can find that the framers were highly skeptical of a direct democracy. Madison states in Federalist 10, “it may be concluded that a pure democracy… can admit of no cure for the mischiefs of faction” (Madison, Fed #10). Madison saw factions as a great threat to the existence of a stable government so it can be assumed that he was against a pure democracy. The reality of this situation is that without a true democracy, the individual citizen has no power.

[Negar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book on the structure of U.S government. Too much talk about elitism. Boohoo!
Of course our politicized faculty chose this book to teach us about American government. God forbid we form an opinion by ourselves!!!

[Kent · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a textbook. This is a textbook. This is a textbook.

If you understand that, plus the fact that it is dated, then go ahead and read the chapter summaries to understand what the professor is trying to say.

He's not wrong, and he makes a decent case, but this is dry dry material. Some of his historical references and most of his description of how things get done politically are well done, I must say. He keeps it pretty much down the middle politically.

[Jason Tanner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I lost interest in this book about 2/3 of the way through because I was tired of lazy, out of date arguments. Granted, my reading was of a 2013 edition in 2020, but I find it unlikely that significant changes were made that reflect the post-2016 status quo.

The problem I have with this book is not the thesis, that the majority of the country is controlled by elite interests. I agree with that for the most part, although I think there is more pluralist influence than the authors care to credit. My problem is that the defense of the thesis is riddled with halfassed examples, both-sides hackery, and handwaving away context. Strangely enough, I believe that a political science textbook that claims to show the real truth of American politics should be a bit more rigorous in its discussions of real-world facts. Instead, this book stretches credulity to insist that there is a single elite consensus when it is obvious that even the elites are at war now.

[Nathan Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

The irony being that while Americans think of our country as a democracy where everyone has a voice, our values and and society is really shaped by a select few. The book covers a range of topics from basic explanation of the branches of government to how the elites affect the masses like through the media and definitely tries to explain subjects in a way that usual isn't done. As a whole, I thought the textbook was actually pretty thought provoking and made me realize I might be more interested in politics than I thought I was.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

well，the author claims in this book,no matter it is right or wrong. Democracy ,in other word, American’s democracy, it is definitely not perfect,but it is working well so far. There is no perfect system anywhere.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for my government class at Cuesta over the summer, so I wasn't really expecting to be amazed since it was the main textbook. It was different than a normal textbook just explaining US government because it analyzes US politics from the viewpoint of elitism, which is the "irony of democracy". The irony being that while Americans think of our country as a democracy where everyone has a voice, our values and and society is really shaped by a select few. The book covers a range of topics from basic explanation of the branches of government to how the elites affect the masses like through the media and definitely tries to explain subjects in a way that usual isn't done. As a whole, I thought the textbook was actually pretty thought provoking and made me realize I might be more interested in politics than I thought I was.

[Steven Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first started teaching American Politics back in the early 1970s, this was one of the texts that I tried out. Normally, students responded pretty well to it, even if they did not always like its thesis. The book adopts an elitist perspective on American politics. That is, the book analyzes American politics from the vantage point of "the few have power and the many do not." That is, there is an elite that has disproportionate power in American politics. This frame is used chapter by chapter--whether the focus is on elections or Congress or interest groups. The book is a bit simplistic, but it gives the students an easy to handle theoretical perspective by which to analyze the subject.

[Lane Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was required reading for an American government class I took at Oakland Community College. I wish I could remember my teacher's name (the guy with a ponytail who sat cross-legged on the table. yes, I know that's grotesquely stereotypical)

In any event, this immaculately biased approach to American government should be required reading. It's still on a good shelf on our bookcase seven years later.

[Ian]

Just what the title says...an Uncommon Introduction to american politics...from the perspective of elite theory....the idea that power in this country is held by a relative few...I think this book gives a great perspective on the founding of the US, political power and policy whether you agree with the author's analysis or not...needless to say, I do.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thesis is that in the land of democracy the politicians are the elites and money and influence controls policy and there is very little true grass-roots democracy.

The author makes strong arguments bolstered by a multitude of statistics.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This classic is still viable today. If you want to learn about what our founding fathers wanted and what is actually taking place...well, it will make you cry

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

American democracy as an elitist institution.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just some light summer reading.