Eight Ways to Run the Country: A New and Revealing Look at Left and Right
Despite the momentary unity prompted by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Americans are more polarized than ever, defying the simple demarcations of Right and Left, Republican and Democrat. Veteran reporter Mitchell refines current conventional wisdom about the Right and the Left in American politics. He begins by exploring the historical context for the current political positions and personalities, and the influence of economic and social concerns. Mitchell identifies four main political traditions (republican constitutionalism, libertarian individualism, progressive democracy, and plutocratic nationalism) that have been boiled down to the Left and the Right, in gross terms. These traditions have actually given rise to eight distinct political perspectives, and Mitchell devotes a chapter to each: communitarian, progressive, radical, individualist, paleolibertarian, paleoconservative, theoconservative, and neoconservative. He includes commentary from politicians, religious leaders, and others. In the final chapter, he examines political trends and how the eight political perspectives may change or affect public policy. Readers will enjoy trying to find themselves on the various scales provided.Vanessa BushCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved