Suggested Reading
Dahl, Robert. Democracy and Its Critics. New Haven,
Conn.: Yale University Press, 1989.
This scholarly text addresses criticisms and critics of democracy. Dahl
has been a forceful defender of American democracy for decades, and his writings
influence many scholars and researchers.
Dionne, E. J., Jr. Why Americans Hate Politics: The Death of
the Democratic Process. Reprint, New York: Simon & Schuster,
1992.
A study of American politics and participation in political processes in
the mid- to late twentieth century. Dionne concludes that Americans hate
politics and therefore should go beyond standard liberal and conservative
ideologies.
Delli Carpini, Michael X., and Scott Keeter. What Americans
Know About Politics and Why It Matters. New Haven, Conn.: Yale
University Press, 1996.
A study of the problems of political ignorance.
Huntington, Samuel P. American Politics: The Promise of
Disharmony. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press,
1981.
Most famous for his theory of the clash of cultures, here Huntington looks
at American politics.
Lipset, Seymour Martin. American Exceptionalism: A Double-Edged
Sword. New York: Norton, 1996.
Interesting and potentially controversial arguments about how Americans
view themselves as blessed and unique in the world.
Nye, Joseph S., Sr., Philip D. Zelikow, and David C. King, eds.
Why People Don’t Trust Government. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard
University Press, 1997.
A number of scholars examine the problem of political cynicism, reaching
different conclusions about its meaning for the American polity.
Putnam, Robert. Making Democracy Work: Civic Traditions in
Modern Italy. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press,
1993.
Political cultures of other democratic states differ greatly from American
political culture. Putnam studies the political culture of Italy and how it
affects the Italian version of democracy.
Schuck, Peter H. Diversity in America: Keeping Government at
a Safe Distance. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press of Harvard,
2003.
This book examines the ways diversity helps and hurts the national
interest.
Useful Websites
www.conginst.org
The website of the Congressional Institute provides rich survey data on
American political culture; has resources for congresspeople, scholars, and
students; maintains a blog; and collates other valuable information.
www.ned.org
The nonpartisan, nongovernmental National Endowment for Democracy seeks to
foster democracy around the world through grants, information, conferences, and
literature
www.stateline.org
Sponsored by the University of Richmond and the Pew Charitable Trusts,
this site provides up-to-date information about key policies and state politics
throughout the United States.
