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Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress--And How to Bring It Back by Dunkelman
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- Buy it nowWhy Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress--And How to Bring It Back by Dunkelman
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eBay item number:405717983534
Item specifics
- Condition
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-18
- Pages
- 416
- ISBN
- 9781541700215
About this product
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Public Affairs
ISBN-10
154170021X
ISBN-13
9781541700215
eBay Product ID (ePID)
24068266650
Product Key Features
Book Title
Why Nothing Works : Who Killed Progress--And How to Bring It Back
Number of Pages
416 Pages
Language
English
Publication Year
2025
Topic
Political Economy, American Government / General, Political Ideologies / Democracy
Genre
Political Science
Format
Hardcover
Dimensions
Item Height
1.4 in
Item Weight
22.3 Oz
Item Length
9.6 in
Item Width
6.4 in
Additional Product Features
Intended Audience
Trade
LCCN
2024-031101
Dewey Edition
23
Reviews
"America is living the truth of the old saying: Any old jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a carpenter to build one. Today, it feels like anyone can stop progress, but nobody's capable of starting it. I got into politics because when I was a kid, government delivered big things for my little corner of Louisiana--roads, and canals, and electricity. If you want to know why that happened back then, why it's not happening now, and how we can start doing and building big things again, then this is the book for you."-- James Carville, "A powerfully argued book that ably clarifies and takes on America's deep cultural aversion to power."-- Gordon Wood, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Radicalism of the American Revolution, "Politicians debate policy but ignore that America's governing framework is often 'authentically incompetent.' With vivid stories laced with historical feuds and fears, Dunkelman shows how democracy descended into a state of rigor mortis. The cure is clear but bold--to largely abandon the procedural framework and put humans in charge again."-- Philip K. Howard, author of The Death of Common Sense, "Why America can't build is the central economic and political question of our time. In Why Nothing Works Marc Dunkelman asks progressives to reflect on how their own ideas have stymied the nation's ability to address the housing and climate crises and slashed national ambition in public works projects. A fantastic thinker, Dunkelman has written an essential book for anyone seeking to understand how Americans have lost faith in democratic institutions that over-promise and under-deliver."-- Jerusalem Demsas, The Atlantic, " Why Nothing Works is the best book to date on the biggest political issue that nobody is talking about, but everyone feels--a palpable and basically accurate sense that American society has lost the capacity to plan and execute large projects in the physical world. How can it be that the richest country on earth and the home to so many globe-straddling companies is saddled with second-rate infrastructure and endemic housing shortages?"-- Matthew Yglesias, "So much hinges on understanding what Dunkelman so clearly explains in this book--why we got stuck in a pattern of blocking everything from housing, to transportation, to green energy infrastructure and the price we're paying for it now. Getting unstuck must become the most urgent priority of the left if we value our democracy. Everyone who reads this engaging, revealing book will want to be part of this much-needed change."-- Jennifer Pahlka, author of Recoding America, "Anyone who has been frustrated with the inefficiency of government must read this book. Dunkelman takes us on a sweeping investigation of how, over the course of the twentieth century, the public sector has been increasingly paralyzed from exercising authority, demonstrating convincingly that the Progressive Left has been as much at fault in undermining popular trust as the Conservative Right. This beautifully written book cuts to the central dilemma of our day: how to empower a strong central government that works while still respecting the will of the people and inviting democratic participation. Dunkelman has confidence that we can do better--and he shows us how."-- Lizabeth Cohen, Howard Mumford Jones Professor of American Studies, Harvard University, and author of Saving America's Cities, "For progressive politics to work, the public must have an affirmative view of government and its effectiveness. This book is essential reading to appreciate how sometimes we can be our own worst enemy."-- Rahm Emanuel, "Friends of democracy typically hold two honorable impulses in tension: Power should be widely dispersed, and citizens should control the decisions affecting their lives; and democratic government should be able to accomplish big things and undertake big projects. Dunkelman's provocative, well-argued thesis is that errors made in the name of the first objective have prevented democracy from achieving the second. Why Nothing Works is a spirited and thoughtful intervention in the debate progressives need to have."-- E.J. Dionne Jr., author of Why Americans Hate Politics, "Why can't the United States do big things anymore? Dunkelman tackles that question in this brilliant book, which takes a deep dive into why the well-meaning ideals of progressivism became unexpected obstacles to progress. Through a series of illuminating case studies, Dunkelman presents a thorough examination of what went wrong and offers ideas for a path forward."-- Jonathan Lemire, cohost, MSNBC's Morning Joe, and author of The Big Lie, "[ Why Nothing Works ] offers an astute analysis of how the US -- the world's largest economy -- has come to face chronic infrastructure problems and housing shortages... This is an insightful and interesting take on the discourses that can straitjacket public authorities, and sow mistrust in democratic institutions."-- Financial Times, "Dunkelman has written a terrific book that both illustrates the extent of America's public sector dysfunction and explains how that dysfunction emerged. From housing to public transportation to energy infrastructure, Dunkelman explains what went wrong and what to do about it. This book is a crucial addition to the national discussion of how to make our country more productive and affordable."-- Edward Glaeser, Fred and Eleanor Glimp Professor of Economics, Harvard University, and author of Triumph of the City, "In this richly researched, compellingly argued, and sparklingly entertaining book, Dunkelman shows how American liberals--once builders and innovators par excellence--lost touch with their own mission and forgot how to build. This is a book for anyone who cares about putting progress back into progressivism and restoring government's capacity to solve problems. In other words, it's urgent reading for everyone."-- Jonathan Rauch, senior fellow, Brookings Institution, and author of Government's End
Dewey Decimal
973
Synopsis
A provocative exploration about the architecture of power, the forces that stifle us from getting things done, and how we can restore confidence in democratically elected government--"the best book to date on the biggest political issue that nobody is talking about" (Matthew Yglesias) America was once a country that did big things--we built the world's greatest rail network, a vast electrical grid, interstate highways, abundant housing, the Social Security system, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and more. But today, even while facing a host of pressing challenges--a housing shortage, a climate crisis, a dilapidated infrastructure--we feel stuck, unable to move the needle. Why? America is today the victim of a vetocracy that allows nearly anyone to stifle progress. While conservatives deserve some blame, progressives have overlooked an unlikely culprit: their own fears of "The Establishment." A half-century ago, progressivism's designs on getting stuff done were eclipsed by a desire to box in government. Reformers put speaking truth to power ahead of exercising that power for good. The ensuing gridlock has pummeled faith in public institutions of all sorts, stifled the movement's ability to deliver on its promises, and, most perversely, opened the door for MAGA-style populism. A century ago, Americans were similarly frustrated--and progressivism pointed the way out. The same can happen again. Marc J. Dunkelman vividly illustrates what progressives must do if they are going to break through today's paralysis and restore, once again, confidence in democratically elected government. To get there, reformers will need to acknowledge where they've gone wrong. Progressivism's success moving forward hinges on the movement's willingness to rediscover its roots.
LC Classification Number
JK275.D86 2025
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- m***m (2282)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseI’m thrilled with my recent purchase . The website was user-friendly, and the product descriptions were accurate. Customer service was prompt and helpful, answering all my questions. My order arrived quickly, well-packaged, and the product exceeded my expectations in quality. I’m impressed with the attention to detail and the overall experience. I’ll definitely shop here again and highly recommend from this seller to others. Thank you for a fantastic experience!
- a***n (43)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseMistakenly ordered a paperback that I thought was a hardcover, not sellers fault; it was described properly on the listing. Seller still processed a refund the day I went to return the item and let me keep the item anyway. A+++ service. Book arrived quickly in great condition and for a great price. Thank you so much! Amazing seller!
- n***c (94)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseseller was communicative about my shipment, media mail took a while and tracking wasn't updated frequently, but seller communicated to me very quickly on status. the item came new and wrapped as described, though the packaging in it was packed wasn't sturdy and falling apart when it got to me.