In Defense of Partisanship

"As anyone familiar with Julian Zelizer's books, articles, and broadcasts about American politics already knows, he is one of our foremost public intellectuals. With this book, he turns his rigorous scholarship, incisive analysis, and lucid prose to the defense of what he aptly calls 'responsible partisanship.' Rather than offer a paean to some imaginary Congressional past, or a cri de couer of hopelessness about the nation's present polarization, Zelizer sets forth a plausible, achievable agenda for restoring the most productive kind of party loyalty and organization. Think of this book as a manual for democracy." -Samuel Freedman, author of Into the Bright Sunshine: Young Hubert Humphrey and the Fight for Civil Rights

"This book is instantly essential. Too many commentators bewail our hyperpartisan politics. Julian Zelizer does something much better-he explores the long and fascinating history of America's political parties, explains the current moment, and offers a road map back to sanity." -Ted Widmer, author of Lincoln on the Verge: Thirteen Days to Washington

"Contravening conventional wisdom, Zelizer offers a spirited defense of parties and partisanship. Rather than futile attempts to reverse polarization, In Defense of Partisanship advocates for political and institutional reforms to channel partisan impulses toward more democratically accountable policymaking." -Frances Lee, professor of politics and public Affairs, Princeton University