The Chronic Crisis of American Democracy - by Benjamin Studebaker

Book Synopsis

This book argues that American democracy is in crisis. The economic system is slowly subjecting Americans of nearly all income levels and backgrounds to enormous amounts of stress. The United States lacks the state capacity required to alleviate this stress, and politicians increasingly find that if they promise to solve economic problems, they are likely to disappoint voters. Instead, they encourage voters to blame each other. The crisis cannot be solved, the economy cannot be set right, and democracy cannot be saved. But American democracy cannot be killed, either. Americans can't imagine any compelling alternative political systems. And so, American democracy continues on, in a deeply unsatisfying way. Americans invent ever-more elaborate coping mechanisms in a desperate bid to go on. But it becomes increasingly clear that the way is shut. The American political system was made by those who are dead, and the dead keep it.

From the Back Cover

This book argues that American democracy is in crisis. The economic system is slowly subjecting Americans of nearly all income levels and backgrounds to enormous amounts of stress. The United States lacks the state capacity required to alleviate this stress, and politicians increasingly find that if they promise to solve economic problems, they are likely to disappoint voters. Instead, they encourage voters to blame each other. The crisis cannot be solved, the economy cannot be set right, and democracy cannot be saved. But American democracy cannot be killed, either. Americans can't imagine any compelling alternative political systems. And so, American democracy continues on, in a deeply unsatisfying way. Americans invent ever-more elaborate coping mechanisms in a desperate bid to go on. But it becomes increasingly clear that the way is shut. The American political system was made by those who are dead, and the dead keep it.

Benjamin Studebaker received his PhD in Politics and International Studies from the University of Cambridge, UK.

Review Quotes

"One of the book's more impressive offerings is Studebaker's contemporary revision of the sociological view of class in the light of contemporary political economy. ... His accessible tone and prose belies a wide erudition that nonetheless entices readers with the gloomy prospects of our current trajectory. In communicating such a well-reasoned downbeat note, Studebaker has enhanced the probability of a resurgence in meaningful engagement with political economy and for that reason alone deserves much lauding." (Chapman Matis, Ethnic and Third World Literatures, e3w.dwrl.utexas.edu, Vol. 25 (1), 2025)

About the Author

Benjamin Studebaker received his PhD in Politics and International Studies from the University of Cambridge, UK.