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American Politics: The Promise of Disharmony
This stunningly persuasive book examines the persistent, radical gap between the promise of American ideals and the performance of American politics. Samuel P. Huntington shows how Americans, throughout their history as a nation, have been united by the democratic creed of liberty, equality, and hostility to authority. At the same time he reveals how, inevitably, these ideals have been perennially frustrated through the institutions and hierarchies required to carry on the essential functions of governing a democratic society. From this antagonism between the ideals of democracy and the realities of power have risen four great political upheavals in American history. Every third generation, Huntington argues, Americans have tried to reconstruct their institutions to make them more truly reflect deeply rooted national ideals. Moving from the clenched fists and mass demonstrations of the 1960s, to the moral outrage of the Progressive and Jacksonian Eras, back to the creative ideological fervor of the American Revolution, he incisively analyzes the dissenters' objectives. All, he pungently writes, sought to remove the fundamental disharmony between the reality of government in America and the ideals on which the American nation was founded. Huntington predicts that the tension between ideals and institutions is likely to increase in this country in the future. And he reminds us that the fate of liberty and democracy abroad is intrinsically linked to the strength of our power in world affairs. This brilliant and controversial analysis deserves to rank alongside the works of Tocqueville, Bryce, and Hofstadter and will become a classic commentary on the meaning of America.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1981
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1246 people want to read
About the author
Samuel P. Huntington
70 books675 followersSamuel Phillips Huntington was an American political scientist who gained prominence through his "Clash of Civilizations"(1993, 1996) thesis of a new post-Cold War world order. Previously, his academic reputation had rested on his analysis of the relationship between the military and the civil government, his investigation of coups d'etat and for his more recent analysis of threats posed to the U.S. by contemporary immigration.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 20, 2023
Samuel Huntington's seminal work, "American Politics: The Promise of Disharmony," offers a thought-provoking analysis of the intricate dynamics and challenges within the American political system. Huntington delves into the complexities of American democracy, examining the tensions and conflicts that arise from its pluralistic nature. This review aims to provide an academic evaluation of Huntington's arguments, discussing the book's strengths, weaknesses, and its significance within the fields of political science, American politics, and democratic theory.
"American Politics: The Promise of Disharmony" by Samuel Huntington delves into the intricacies of American political life, focusing on the inherent conflicts and discord that shape the democratic process. Huntington examines the diverse forces at play within American society and the resulting challenges faced by political institutions. He explores the tensions between individual liberty and the need for social order, highlighting the potential benefits that arise from embracing the constructive aspects of disharmony within a pluralistic democracy.
Huntington's work stands out for its rigorous analysis and comprehensive exploration of American politics. He engages with key political theories, historical examples, and empirical data to construct a nuanced understanding of the complexities of the American political system. Huntington's analysis fosters critical reflections on the challenges of democratic governance and offers insightful perspectives on the potential avenues for navigating the inherent disharmony within a diverse society.
One of the notable strengths of "American Politics: The Promise of Disharmony" lies in Huntington's depth of knowledge and his ability to provide a comprehensive analysis of American politics. He meticulously examines the interplay between various social, cultural, and economic factors and their impact on political processes. Huntington's insights on the role of interest groups, the importance of political institutions, and the nature of political leadership offer valuable contributions to our understanding of American democracy.
Moreover, Huntington's exploration of the constructive aspects of disharmony within American politics is particularly noteworthy. He challenges the notion of unity as a prerequisite for a successful democracy, arguing that embracing the inherent conflicts and diversity can lead to more robust and responsive political systems. By highlighting the potential benefits of constructive disagreement and the necessity of compromise, Huntington offers a nuanced perspective that encourages readers to reevaluate their understanding of democratic governance.
While "American Politics: The Promise of Disharmony" offers a comprehensive analysis, it is not without its limitations. Some critics argue that Huntington's emphasis on disharmony may overshadow the potential dangers of polarization and division within American politics. A more balanced assessment of the challenges posed by extreme partisanship and the erosion of trust in democratic institutions would strengthen the book's analytical framework.
Additionally, Huntington's writing style can be dense and scholarly, making it challenging for some readers to navigate his arguments. A more accessible presentation of ideas, clearer connections between concepts, and concise explanations of key political terms would enhance the book's readability and facilitate broader readership engagement.
"American Politics: The Promise of Disharmony" holds significant importance within the fields of political science, American politics, and democratic theory as a seminal work that illuminates the complexities of American democracy. Huntington's analysis prompts critical reflections on the challenges and possibilities inherent in a pluralistic society, encouraging scholars and policymakers to consider the constructive aspects of disharmony and to find innovative approaches to democratic governance.
Samuel Huntington's "American Politics: The Promise of Disharmony" provides a comprehensive analysis of the intricate dynamics of American politics, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities within a diverse and pluralistic democracy. By exploring the constructive aspects of disharmony and offering fresh perspectives on democratic governance, Huntington's work offers valuable insights for scholars and the general reader alike.
GPT
"American Politics: The Promise of Disharmony" by Samuel Huntington delves into the intricacies of American political life, focusing on the inherent conflicts and discord that shape the democratic process. Huntington examines the diverse forces at play within American society and the resulting challenges faced by political institutions. He explores the tensions between individual liberty and the need for social order, highlighting the potential benefits that arise from embracing the constructive aspects of disharmony within a pluralistic democracy.
Huntington's work stands out for its rigorous analysis and comprehensive exploration of American politics. He engages with key political theories, historical examples, and empirical data to construct a nuanced understanding of the complexities of the American political system. Huntington's analysis fosters critical reflections on the challenges of democratic governance and offers insightful perspectives on the potential avenues for navigating the inherent disharmony within a diverse society.
One of the notable strengths of "American Politics: The Promise of Disharmony" lies in Huntington's depth of knowledge and his ability to provide a comprehensive analysis of American politics. He meticulously examines the interplay between various social, cultural, and economic factors and their impact on political processes. Huntington's insights on the role of interest groups, the importance of political institutions, and the nature of political leadership offer valuable contributions to our understanding of American democracy.
Moreover, Huntington's exploration of the constructive aspects of disharmony within American politics is particularly noteworthy. He challenges the notion of unity as a prerequisite for a successful democracy, arguing that embracing the inherent conflicts and diversity can lead to more robust and responsive political systems. By highlighting the potential benefits of constructive disagreement and the necessity of compromise, Huntington offers a nuanced perspective that encourages readers to reevaluate their understanding of democratic governance.
While "American Politics: The Promise of Disharmony" offers a comprehensive analysis, it is not without its limitations. Some critics argue that Huntington's emphasis on disharmony may overshadow the potential dangers of polarization and division within American politics. A more balanced assessment of the challenges posed by extreme partisanship and the erosion of trust in democratic institutions would strengthen the book's analytical framework.
Additionally, Huntington's writing style can be dense and scholarly, making it challenging for some readers to navigate his arguments. A more accessible presentation of ideas, clearer connections between concepts, and concise explanations of key political terms would enhance the book's readability and facilitate broader readership engagement.
"American Politics: The Promise of Disharmony" holds significant importance within the fields of political science, American politics, and democratic theory as a seminal work that illuminates the complexities of American democracy. Huntington's analysis prompts critical reflections on the challenges and possibilities inherent in a pluralistic society, encouraging scholars and policymakers to consider the constructive aspects of disharmony and to find innovative approaches to democratic governance.
Samuel Huntington's "American Politics: The Promise of Disharmony" provides a comprehensive analysis of the intricate dynamics of American politics, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities within a diverse and pluralistic democracy. By exploring the constructive aspects of disharmony and offering fresh perspectives on democratic governance, Huntington's work offers valuable insights for scholars and the general reader alike.
GPT
August 2, 2008
Fascinating way of looking at American history, as a series of cycles of various stages of cynicism towards politics culminating is a 70-year explosion of passion for American values (the '60's were the last.) Towards the end gets a little too über-functionalist, stretching the initial, interesting hypothesis into a justification for intervention in third-world affairs. You may stop reading when you get to that point.
November 26, 2018
In Huntington's take on American political theory, all politics isn't local, but rather passion (and tension) between the ideals and institutions of American life. Revolutions such as the independence movement of the 1770s, the Jacksonian movement of the 1820s, the Progressive Era of the early 20th Century, and the multiple crises of the 1960s and '70s can all be explained by what Huntington terms "creedal passion": moments in American history when citizens recognize a gap between American ideals (liberty, equality, freedom) and American institutions (the presidency, Congress, the bureaucracy).
To read this book in 2018 evokes many, many thoughts as to the state of American politics. Americans, much like these past eras, have lost faith that their institutions are properly upholding the self-evident truths of American life. Both Trump-loving conservatives, who harken back to a utopic America, and the left-wing Trump resistance, who seek to reign in Trump as a norm- and value-bashing demagogue, appeal to a sense of listlessness, at best, and malintent, at worst, at work in the government and institutions of the country.
Huntington's thesis is not wholly satisfying (there are, no doubt, other causes to the revolutions listed above), but it is an interesting and worthwhile approach to think about when confronting American politics.
America is one of the few countries in history wedded so closely to ideas and ideals that bind citizens together. This situation brings out change, but also hope that for however long the bedrock values of American life exist, we are always able to fight for the fulfillment of those values.
To read this book in 2018 evokes many, many thoughts as to the state of American politics. Americans, much like these past eras, have lost faith that their institutions are properly upholding the self-evident truths of American life. Both Trump-loving conservatives, who harken back to a utopic America, and the left-wing Trump resistance, who seek to reign in Trump as a norm- and value-bashing demagogue, appeal to a sense of listlessness, at best, and malintent, at worst, at work in the government and institutions of the country.
Huntington's thesis is not wholly satisfying (there are, no doubt, other causes to the revolutions listed above), but it is an interesting and worthwhile approach to think about when confronting American politics.
America is one of the few countries in history wedded so closely to ideas and ideals that bind citizens together. This situation brings out change, but also hope that for however long the bedrock values of American life exist, we are always able to fight for the fulfillment of those values.
June 21, 2020
One of the few books that I read many years ago and still remember somewhat well. It seems like today, we are in the throes of both left-wing and right-wing versions of creedal passion- on the Left, outrage about racism and police brutality, and on the Right, sabotage of anti-coronavirus policies in the name of freedom.
February 4, 2021
This is an absolutes amazing read which goes a long way to describing our current political situation in this country. Cannot recommend it highly enough.
January 20, 2025
Every person should read this book. Someone on a NY Times book podcast recommended this book as the "Book of All Time" for the ways in which it explains and predicts our current political and cultural moment. I have to agree. This book, published in 1981, was remarkable in how it read like contemporary political analysis of the past ten years. I wish I could quote the whole book here.
The basic premise is that in America, we mostly all agree with the basic tenants of liberty, equality, and democracy. The problem is that our system never has and never will live up to the expectations of these founding principles. The main source of conflict in American politics, then, comes from a recognition of this gap and our various attempts to reduce it. This is why one of the most common insults lodged at our political opponents is that they are being un-American. Several times throughout US history, Americans became more keenly aware of the gap than usual and outrage followed - these are what Huntington calls times of Creedal Passion.
The last period of Creedal Passion was the 1960-70s. Huntington predicts in this book that the next one will likely be in the second or third decade of the twenty-first century. Seriously, read this book.
The basic premise is that in America, we mostly all agree with the basic tenants of liberty, equality, and democracy. The problem is that our system never has and never will live up to the expectations of these founding principles. The main source of conflict in American politics, then, comes from a recognition of this gap and our various attempts to reduce it. This is why one of the most common insults lodged at our political opponents is that they are being un-American. Several times throughout US history, Americans became more keenly aware of the gap than usual and outrage followed - these are what Huntington calls times of Creedal Passion.
The last period of Creedal Passion was the 1960-70s. Huntington predicts in this book that the next one will likely be in the second or third decade of the twenty-first century. Seriously, read this book.
May 23, 2023
B同学力推的书当然要看啦，确实蛮好看的。好多年没看亨亨了。
December 8, 2024
Written in 1981 but still very relevant in 2024.
Read
April 6, 2025“For various reasons, radicalism in America is able to encompass both those who are trying to improve the system and those who are trying to destroy it.”
June 26, 2025
读完独裁者手册后打开的这本，考虑到2025的现状，感觉还是理想主义了些。
July 9, 2025
Really interesting book with really interesting ideas until the end where he starts defending american foreign interventions lmao
January 29, 2026
It is hard to properly articulate how much I love this book. It is so refreshing in so many ways. The book is one of those where I find almost every page contains a gem worth jotting down, remembering, and coming back to study. And this happens page after page, you understand.
One of my operating ideas is that each nation or people has a history, and that history has deeply ingrained roots that mold and shape who that people is today. These experiences go way back in time and cannot be overlooked, no matter how much the present generation might be embarrassed or offended. These were the foundations that made the nation what it is, warts and all.
You can look at certain nations, like Russia, which was profoundly shaped by the Mongol invasion, impacting their decisions to this very day.
At any rate, Huntington covers America and details all the various strands of American thought going back to England and more. He illustrates how the people of the present are the true children of the pre-independence and post-independence Americans. It is so ironic that modern people in a very postmodern world would have so much in common with Puritans.
Finally, he makes clear that conflict is baked into the American psyche—and that this tension is what makes America what it is.
If you want to understand the United States, you would do well to read this book.
One of my operating ideas is that each nation or people has a history, and that history has deeply ingrained roots that mold and shape who that people is today. These experiences go way back in time and cannot be overlooked, no matter how much the present generation might be embarrassed or offended. These were the foundations that made the nation what it is, warts and all.
You can look at certain nations, like Russia, which was profoundly shaped by the Mongol invasion, impacting their decisions to this very day.
At any rate, Huntington covers America and details all the various strands of American thought going back to England and more. He illustrates how the people of the present are the true children of the pre-independence and post-independence Americans. It is so ironic that modern people in a very postmodern world would have so much in common with Puritans.
Finally, he makes clear that conflict is baked into the American psyche—and that this tension is what makes America what it is.
If you want to understand the United States, you would do well to read this book.
March 20, 2013
Pretty good.
April 26, 2013
Huntington is wrong about more than he's right, but still a fascinating and insightful book.
Want to read
January 7, 2016Reviewed by Vox
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