Defining Trumpism as an ideology that preceded Trump's election and will outlast his political career, this book explores solutions to problems that have long plagued contemporary American democracy.Larry N. Gerston identifies deep-rooted pain points in U.S. governance that gave rise to and were exacerbated by Trumpism—bigotry, discrimination, voter disenfranchisement, and corruption—as well as key areas of government and society that Trumpism endangers—political institutions, civic culture and community, law and order, and public education. Overcoming Trumpism offers a combination of solutions to preserve American democracy: repairing its battered institutions, assuring a free and responsible press, and restoring public participation in democratic society. Democracies are much more likely to disappear from imposition than war. As such, an invested and attentive public will be necessary to overcome Trumpism.
Larry N. Gerston is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at San Jose State University, USA. He is an on-air political analyst for TV and radio and author of 14 books, including Reviving Citizenship Engagement: Policies to Renew National Community (2014).
PART I: DEMOCRACY UNDER SIEGE 1. Understanding American Democracy 2. The Rise of TrumpismPART II: THREATS TO AMERICAN DEMOCRACY FROM TRUMPISM3. The Explosion of Bigotry4. Deviousness, Discrimination and Disenfranchisement5. Undermined Institutions6. Abandonment of Civic Culture and the Sense of Community7. Justice, Law and Disorder: Stoked by Trump8. Insurrection and Beyond9. The Threat to Public EducationPART III: OVERCOMING TRUMPISM10. Make Institutions Democratic Again11. Assuring Media Integrity12. Reinforcing Democracy For the People and By the People13. What We Have to LoseIndex
Gerston's work about Trumpism is clear and well-documented. Most of all, he offers a path to protecting our democracy and hope for the future.