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Why We're Polarized

A Barack Obama summer reading pick 2022
4.22 goodreads logo

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( 18,823 ratings, 2,170 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Why We're Polarized by Ezra Klein delves into the intricate dynamics of political division in contemporary America. The book explores how identity politics, media, and institutional structures contribute to increasing polarisation. Through detailed analysis, Klein examines the forces shaping public opinion and the challenges this polarisation poses to democratic governance.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're interested in understanding the dynamics of contemporary political divisions and how they shape America. The author delves into the structural and psychological reasons behind political polarisation, making it a compelling read if you want to explore the factors that influence political behaviour and identity.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Polarisation is often invoked as proof that our societies are broken but what if it's really the system working as intended?

Polarisation is often invoked as proof that our societies are broken but what if it's really the system working as intended?

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A Bill Gates Summer Pick for 2022

Powerful [and] intelligent - Fareed Zakaria, CNN

Superbly researched and written - Francis Fukuyama, The Washington Post

America's political system isn't broken. The truth is scarier: it's working exactly as designed.

In Why We're Polarized, Ezra Klein reveals the structural and psychological forces behind America's deep political divisions, revealing how a system filled with rational, functional parts can combine into a dysfunctional whole. Neither a polemic nor a lament, this book offers a clear framework for understanding everything from Trump's rise to the Democratic Party's leftward shift to the politicisation of everyday culture.

Klein shows how and why American politics polarised in the twentieth century, what that polarisation did to Americans' views of the world and one another, and how feedback loops between polarised political identities and polarised political institutions drive the system toward crisis. This revelatory book will change how you look at politics, and perhaps at yourself.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Ezra Klein's Why We're Polarized has been highly praised for shedding light on the deep divisions within American politics. Reviewers highlight Klein's ability to intertwine politics, history, and psychology, providing a comprehensive analysis of America's political landscape. The book delves into how identity influences political decision-making and the challenges of achieving unified political representation. Klein's work is seen as both insightful and timely, offering a clear and well-structured exploration of the factors contributing to America's current state of political polarisation.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781788166799

Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 June 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Profile Books Ltd

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 280g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Ezra Klein is the editor-at-large and cofounder of Vox, the award-winning explanatory news organization. Launched in 2014, Vox reaches more than 50 million people across its platforms each month. Klein is also the host of the podcast the Ezra Klein Show, cohost of the Weeds podcast, and an executive producer on Vox's Netflix show, Explained. Previously, Klein was a columnist and editor at The Washington Post, a policy analyst at MSNBC, and a contributor to Bloomberg. Join Ezra's 2.5 million followers on Twitter: @ezraklein

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