Donald Trump’s presidency challenges the basic norms and values of the American experiment in democratic governance. Trump is devoid of political experience, lacks an understanding of policy, government, or international affairs, is angry, vengeful, and unpredictable, and has been accused of emotional instability with a fixation on one-man rule. How to explain such a presidency? Arthur Paulson takes on the task. He places Trump within the arc of the nation’s political development. The results are extraordinary. A must-read for students, academicians, and those concerned with the future of American politics. Excellent!

William Crotty, Northeastern University

It is chilling to contemplate, with Paulson, that party leaders who wanted to block the rise of Donald Trump failed precisely because of the party reforms of the 1960’s opened the process to outsider candidates. It would seem we have less reason to worry about the current outsider populist president, than the next one – from either political party. Paulson teaches us that the U.S. system can sustain intense partisan polarization but if only we can strengthen party organizations and re-learn the language of the common good.

Scott McLean