Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point

I have read this book twice. It provides a deep dive into the history of our nation’s democracy and development. It covers and compares other countries and their democratic journeys and compares them to our own norms and institutions. It is up to date and illustrates where we have fallen short on basic principles of democracy. More importantly, it provides what they term as “counter-majoritarian” blocks to ensure a healthy democracy to thrive—which is where we find ourselves today—the road that leads to the tyranny of the minority. Finally, the book provides a framework for reforms that are needed in our country (US) RIGHT NOW! I highly recommend that all pro-democracy warriors read and re-read. We are going to need these tools.

Great read on how political minorities have used the political system to maintain power, and have altered the definition of democracy to continue maintaining control, despite the need for democratic reforms, in an America that sees its political system as less democratic when compared to other democracies around the world. Political organizing is the only solution if American democracy wants to survive.

This book is an insightful analysis of the U.S. Constitution and governmental practices that we assume are infallible. The authors demonstrate how a constitution written in the 18th century has become out-of-date and privileges counter-majoritarian minority rule. Examples include the Electoral College (which permits the loser of the national popular vote to become President), the Senate (which privileges Wyoming voters over those in CA and NY), and the filibuster (not in the Constitution). The authors advocate for living our country AND recognizing its shortcomings and working to rectify them. A must-read for anyone interested in the political struggles in which we find ourselves.

This is an excellent, timely, convincing, and accurate insight into how the US is abandoning democracy one piece at a time. The problem with it is that it simply records the news. We need a back story: how the giant corporations, especially the fossil fuel ones and the Rupert Murdoch lie empire, progressively corrupted the political process and funded the hatred, lies, divisiveness, and meanness that dominate politics today. This has been a very clear, conscious ongoing process for 70 years, and there is a large literature on it, connecting the dots by showing how the fossil fuel, tobacco, drug, and other troublesome interests have steered billions and billions of dollars--often gained from government subsidies--into the hate machine. Conversely, the authors contrast the US with north and west Europe, which has advanced toward social democracy, but the authors fail to point out that this was largely because north and west Europe had a strong labor movement (the US allowed corporate interests to come close to destroying ours) and not so much giant corporate power.

**A Masterful Analysis of American Democracy's Flaws and Fixes**In "Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point," the authors offer a lucid, penetrating examination of the systemic issues plaguing American democracy. This meticulously researched book lays bare the anti-democratic elements entrenched within the U.S. Constitution and our unique "American" political culture that have, over time, eroded the foundational principles of equality and representation.The authors, with their profound academic expertise and astute analysis, make a compelling case for urgent reforms. They argue convincingly for term limits for Supreme Court judges, a reformation of the Senate, the expansion of Congress, and the implementation of true proportional representation. These reforms are presented not as mere adjustments but as necessary steps to realign the nation's democratic mechanisms with the ideals of a modern, equitable society.What sets this book apart is not just the clarity of its argumentation but the depth of historical context and forward-looking perspective it provides. The authors dissect how anti-democratic efforts have led to a concentration of power that stifles the majority's will, effectively making a case that the current moment is not just a crisis but an inflection point for substantive change.The proposed reforms, such as reimagining the Senate to reflect a more equitable representation rather than equal state representation, and the elimination of the filibuster, are but an example of such reforms."Tyranny of the Minority" is a clarion call to those who value democracy. The book does not just critique; it offers a roadmap for reform, grounded in a deep understanding of the American political fabric and a visionary outlook for its potential transformation.This book is an essential read for policymakers, political enthusiasts, and anyone concerned about the future of American democracy. It challenges us to look beyond the status quo and envision a democracy that reflects the will and diversity of its people. The authors have not only diagnosed the ailments of our political system but have also provided thoughtful, bold prescriptions for healing it.In conclusion, "Tyranny of the Minority" is a profound contribution to the discourse on American democracy. It is a testament to the authors' scholarly rigor and their commitment to democratic ideals. This book is more than just an academic treatise; it is a compelling argument for hope, change, and the relentless pursuit of a more perfect union.

An excellent history of how the U.S. Constitution was written with a great many [in some cases unsavory] political compromises needed to get it passed. It shows clearly that the Constitution was not inspired by God but rather was cobbled together by the politicians of the time who were doing the best they could to keep the former 13 colonies together as one country. It also explains how the framers of the Constitution built in safeguards to prevent a political majority from running roughshod over the minority. However since those days, the makeup of society has evolved significantly, and now some of those "safeguards" , plus other practices not enshrined in the Constitution - such as the senate filibuster and gerrymandering of congressional districts - are now enabling one political party (which has been out of touch with the majority of Americans for decades) to subvert the will of the majority in its thirst for power. A must-read for every American!! If you only read one book about modern-day American politics, this should be it.

Ein wichtiges Buch zur rechten Zeit, dass deutlich macht: eine Demokratie braucht aktive, denkende Bürger, die bereit sind Demokratie in sich wandelnden Zeiten weiter zu denken. Sehr gut, der Hintergrund zur Entstehung und zum Wandel der US Amerikanischen Verfassungsgesetzgebung.Hans-J. Bobsin

I read the entire book within days of its publication. It is mostly an easy read, but their subject is complex and inevitably some sections are more complex than others. Their analysis of our nation’s pluses and minuses as a democracy are convincing. Their use of relevant comparisons to other nations should make clear to anyone willing to learn, the serious deficits in our Constitution and in our overall political system. This aspect of the book is a masterful contribution that should leave readers with a clear comprehension of historical and contemporary factors that have seriously vitiated efforts to further democratize our nation.The authors end their book with a series of recommendations for how we, citizens, can effect changes that may result in “modernizing” our democracy, so that we are no longer laggards when compared to other nations which have taken necessary steps to empower their citizens in ways that have overcome various factors which have stood in the way of changing various aspects of our political/cultural life which are currently allowing for progress to be stymied by relatively small numbers of Conservative voters and politicians.Though I’m sure the authors will disagree, I believe their failure to provide any sort of detailed discussion of the powerful impact of billionaires on our politics, or of the changes created by social media, and the development of artificial intelligence, strike me as being problems inadequately dealt with in their chapter explaining how we can “correct” the multiple problems currently afflicting our democracy.The power of social media, and perhaps of even greater importance the newly developed prominence of Artificial Intelligence present problems of a significantly different order than any that have previously existed. Hopefully, we will eventually develop ways to curb the potential dangers they present if/when misused, but that remains to be seen. It is understandable if the authors consider detailed discussion of these issues are better left to a future book.

This book explores and examines the imbalance in the American democracy , providing numbers, issues and comparisons with other democracy. Anybody who has lived through the last 25 years should know there is need for change. Stating with getting rid of the electoral college, something that came close to happening in the past. This book should be read and spread.