The American Lie

Benjamin Ginsberg is the David Bernstein Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for the Study of American Government at Johns Hopkins University. He is the author or coauthor of a number of books including Presidential Power: Unchecked and Unbalanced, Downsizing Democracy: How America Sidelined Its Citizens and Privatized Its Public, and Politics by Other Means. Ginsberg is a frequent political commentator from his perch in Potomac, Maryland.

• 1. Interests and Principles in Political Life ; The Principles of Cynical Realism ; Altruism and Interests ; Interests and Principles ; Principles as Political Weapons ; Becoming Realistically Cynical ; 2. Public Opinion: Myths and Realities ; Advertising ; Publicity ; Measuring Opinion ; 3. Elections and the Limits of Popular Government ; Voting as a Means of Regulating ; Popular Political Activity ; The Limits of Voting ; Political Marketing ; 4. Private Interests and Public Policies ; Mobilization Bias ; Organizational Bias ; Private Capture ; Pathologies of Government ; 5. Popular Influence and State Power ; Who Governs? ; Delegation of Power ; Presidential Power ; The Citizen and the State ; 6. Conclusion: Why Participate in Politics? ; The Myth of Political Leadership ; Public Lies and Private Purposes ; State Secrets ; Practicing Defensive Politics ; Notes ; Index ; About the Author

Ben Ginsberg s engaging jeremiad about the absence of truth in political discourse is in itself based on a big lie the author s claim that he is a dedicated cynic. His own words betray him as one of the few idealists remaining among us. And his trenchant analysis of America s mendacity-ridden politics demands our attention and respect.