POLITICS & GOVERNMENT

The United States of America, the world’s oldest and most esteemed democracy, is experiencing
serious and pervasive problems in its politics and government. For the last half-century,
Americans have become more disgusted with elected officials, less trusting of political
institutions, and increasingly indifferent toward democratic participation. This disaffection is
particularly surprising given that the economy is booming, educational levels are high and rising,
and the nation has enjoyed nearly uninterrupted peace for more than a quarter century.
Despite the harmony and prosperity, levels of civic engagement and trust in government are at
post-War lows. Voting, attending public meetings, writing letters to the editor, contacting elected
representatives, paying attention to current affairs, working on campaigns, going to protests or
rallies – all of these activities, upon which successful democracy depends, have dropped
precipitously over the past two generations. Large numbers of citizens believe that politicians lie
and pander to suit their own ambitions, that rich “special interests” get their way at the expense of
everyday working families, that partisan elected officials refuse to work together or lead on
important matters, and that government is too big and remote to solve problems. Meanwhile,
serious discussion of the big issues – race relations, the gap between the rich and poor, the health-
insurance crisis, even declining civic participation itself – seems to have gotten lost in the
cacophony of partisan sniping and interest-group alarmism.