{"product_id":"the-promise-of-party-in-a-polarized-age","title":"The Promise of Party in a Polarized Age","description":"\u003cp\u003eAt the root of Americas broken politics is hyperbolic partisanship. It distorts perceptions  inflames disagreements  and poisons the democratic process. Citizens pine for a time when liberals and conservatives compromised with one anotheror they yearn for a post-partisan future when the common good trumps ideology and self-interest. Russell Muirhead argues that better partisanship  not less partisanship  is the solution to Americas political predicament. Instead of striving to overcome our differences  we should learn how to engage them.  The political conflicts that provide fodder for cable news shows are not simply manufactured from thin air. However sensationalized they become in the retelling  they originate in authentic disagreements over what constitutes the common welfare. Republicans vest responsibility in each citizen for dealing with bad decisions and bad luck  and want every individual and family to enjoy the benefits of good decisions and good luck. Democrats ask citizens to stand together to insure one another against the worst consequences of misfortune or poor judgment  and especially to insure children against some of the consequences of their parents bad decisions or lack of opportunities. These are fundamental differences that fantasies of bipartisan consensus cannot dissolve.  Disagreement without parties is disempowering  Muirhead says. The remedy is not for citizens and elected officials to learn to just get along but for them to bring a skeptical sensibility even to their own convictions  and to learn to disagree as partisans and govern through compromise despite those disagreements.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44959877824565,"sku":"ByrdShop_0674046838","price":32.69,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780674046832.jpg?v=1770377617","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-promise-of-party-in-a-polarized-age","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}