The Transformation of American Politics:
Activist Government and the Rise of Conservatism
edited by Paul Pierson & Theda Skocpol
JK421 .T82 2007
New Book Island, 2nd floor
With the presidential primary today, I thought that a book on politics would something nice to feature. And, as a friendly reminder, if you haven’t voted already, you might want to get on that, especially with the convenient campus polling location.
The editors of this volume, faculty at UC-Berkeley and Harvard respectively, have gathered essays from some of the best and brightest political scientists to examine the role of the government in our society and the rise of conservatism. The editors and authors contend that the increasingly activist government and powerful conservative movement go hand in hand when looking at the political landscape of the country since 1960. Christopher Howard, author of The Welfare State Nobody Knows, says that “the volume effectively shows how historical perspectives can shed light not just on eras long ago but on contemporary debates – it’s a winner.”
