"Is This Any Way to Run a Democratic Government? examines the theory and practice of American democracy - and the dichotomy that exists between them. The contributors assess both the reasons and the consequences of this division between the ideals of our republic and reality. This book is about the institutions, processes, and politics of government: how well they work, whether they meet the criteria for a viable democratic system, and the extent to which they contribute to good public policy." "As we begin the 21st century with rancorous political partisanship and threats to domestic security and tranquility at an all-time high, Is This Any Way to Run a Democratic Government? asks us to think seriously about the state of our celebrated democracy, and whether or not our political system can respond to the pressing needs of a new era without jeopardizing the basic values and beliefs that constitute its very foundations."--BOOK JACKET.