America's Failing Experiment

Kirby Goidel is the Scripps Howard Professor of Mass Communication, and former Director of the Public Policy Research Lab at Louisiana State University and a co-editor of the journal Survey Practice, sponsored by the American Association of Public Opinion Research (AAPOR).

• Introduction: We Are the ProblemChapter 1: Constitutional Design and DemocracyChapter 2: Political Psychology and Democratic CompetenceChapter 3: Political Inequality and Campaign FinanceChapter 4: The News Media, New Media, and DemocracyChapter 5: Gridlock and American Political InstitutionsChapter 6: Do No HarmChapter 7: America’s Recovery Plan

Many of the academics who began their teaching and research careers during the troubling and depressing eras of Vietnam and Watergate hoped to contribute to a better political system nurtured by less economic and representational inequality and enlightened by greater wisdom from our informational resources. Hopefully, all of this would lead to more informed, cogent and sophisticated voter choices amidst a complicated political issue environment. These academics are now nearing the end of their careers wondering what happened to these hopes for that better political system. Among the next generation of scholars, Professor Goidel provides us with a lucent description of our problems and a prescription for that transformed and better political system. This work is for all of us who understand that our governmental system and way of life confront enormous problems and challenges yet still dream of better tomorrows.