Why Nothing Works

An "astute" and "insightful" (Financial Times) exploration of the forces that keep us from getting things done, and how we can restore confidence in government America was once a country that did big things. But today, even while facing a host of pressing challenges-a housing shortage, a climate crisis, dilapidated infrastructure-we feel stuck. As Mark J. Dunkelman reveals, America is 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, reformers began to put speaking truth to power ahead of exercising that power for good. Now, the ensuing gridlock has pummeled faith in public institutions of all sorts and opened the door for MAGA-style populism. Why Nothing Works uncovers the roots of this predicament, and boldly shows how progressives can once again build a better future for all.

A provocative exploration of the forces that keep us from getting things done, and how we can restore confidence in government "Dunkelman summarizes the history perfectly." --David Brooks, The New York Times Named a Best Book of the Year by Financial Times - The Economist America was once a country that did big things. But today, even while facing a host of pressing challenges--a housing shortage, a climate crisis, dilapidated infrastructure--we feel stuck. As Marc J. Dunkelman reveals, America is 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, reformers began to put speaking truth to power ahead of exercising that power for good. Now, the ensuing gridlock has pummeled faith in public institutions of all sorts and opened the door for MAGA-style populism.? Why Nothing Works uncovers the roots of this predicament, and boldly shows how progressives can once again build a better future for all.

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.

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.