The Future of American Democracy: A Former Congressman's Unconventional Analysis

Can the United States—a nation of growing cultural diversity, with increasingly divergent ideals, values, and principles of governance—continue its collective pursuit of freedom, equality, and justice within the traditional framework of limited, representative government? Veteran public official and political scientist Glen Browder addresses this question in The Future of American Democracy. This book will speak to attentive citizens in the U.S. and abroad who are involved in analyzing, studying, and teaching American democracy and people who are involved as participants in the workings of American government and politics.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Acknowledgements Chapter 3 Introduction: Browder's Thesis of American Democracy Chapter 4 Is America Dying?: Chapter 5 Is America Dying? Chapter 6 How Dare I Ask Such an Outrageous Question About America? Chapter 7 What do I mean by "America," "American Democracy," and "Dying?" Chapter 8 Why and How, Arguably, is America Dying?: Chapter 9 Proposition Number One: "The favorable systemic environment of American democracy has disappeared" Chapter 10 Proposition Number Two: "We have entrapped American democracy within a philosophical civil war." Chapter 11 Proposition Number Three: "American democracy no longer works the way it has in the past." Chapter 12 Proposition Number Four: "America seems to be tiring of its historic Great Experiment." Chapter 13 Is America Going to Die?: Chapter 14 How Serious is America's Democratic Distemper? Chapter 15 What Might America Look Like, if We Continue Our Current Course, in 2050? Chapter 16 Conclusion: The Future of American Democracy? Chapter 17 References Chapter 18 Index

About the Author :
Glen Browder is a former Congressman who serves as Eminent Scholar in American Democracy, Jacksonville State University, and Distinguished Visiting Professor of National Security Affairs, U.S. Naval Postgraduate School.

Review :
Glen Browder is one of a rare breed in American politics: He genuinely combines serious scholarship and a commitment to public service. Browder is one of the most thoughtful and practical critics of the governmental inertia that plagues us these days,and all of his recommendations are worth reading and paying attention to. Rare is the academic who combines theoretical knowledge with practicality. Glen Browder is such a person. In this remarkable book, he challenges every citizen, especially the young, to think anew about America's democracy. Students will love it!> Former Rep. Glen Browder (D-Ala.) is worried about the future of American democracy?Browder purports that America is developing a fundamental civil illness and it is time for a Tocquevillian checkup of American democracy. In his book and in lectures around the country, Browder asks one question, 'Is America dying?' In asking his audiences to answer the question, Browder seeks to stimulate a national dialogue about America, including alternative scenarios and the possibility of a 'New America' that is segregated culturally, financially, politically, and racially. Glen Browder has written a scary book?The result is an interesting and unusual book, one well worth reading for anybody concerned about the state of our democratic system?This book should shatter anyone's complacency about our political system. Glen Browder's book is a wake-up call for our democracy. This nation was built on the principle that leadership would find the necessary consensus to advance the national interest. That principle has been lost in the current battles over power, parties and politics. This book challenges all of us to awake to the civil illness in our midst and restore the fundamental strength of our democracy. Glen Browder is one of a rare breed in American politics: He genuinely combines serious scholarship and a commitment to public service. Browder is one of the most thoughtful and practical critics of the governmental inertia that plagues us these days, and all of his recommendations are worth reading and paying attention to. Rare is the academic who combines theoretical knowledge with practicality. Glen Browder is such a person. In this remarkable book, he challenges every citizen, especially the young, to think anew about America's democracy. Students will love it! Former Rep. Glen Browder (D-Ala.) is worried about the future of American democracy…Browder purports that America is developing a fundamental civil illness and it is time for a Tocquevillian checkup of American democracy. In his book and in lectures around the country, Browder asks one question, 'Is America dying?' In asking his audiences to answer the question, Browder seeks to stimulate a national dialogue about America, including alternative scenarios and the possibility of a 'New America' that is segregated culturally, financially, politically, and racially. Glen Browder has written a scary book…The result is an interesting and unusual book, one well worth reading for anybody concerned about the state of our democratic system…This book should shatter anyone's complacency about our political system. This is a thought-provoking book…an important read, a serious read, one you need to pay attention to. ...[Browder's] deeper points about the electorate and California's role on the leading edge of democratic change are accurate.