Alan Rosenthal is Professor of Public Policy and Political Science at the Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers
University. He has collaborated in activities with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the Council
of State Governments (CSG), and the State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF) and worked on projects and studies
for legislatures in about 35 states. Currently, he is working with NCSL, the American Political Science Association
(APSA), and the Center for Civic Education on the development and communication of a new public perspective on
representative democracy.
In New Jersey, he chaired the Ad Hoc Commission on Legislative Ethics and Campaign Finance in 1990, was selected
as the independent member and chair of the Redistricting Commission in 1992, and in 1993 received the Governor's
Award for Public Service. In 1995 Rosenthal received APSA's Charles E. Merriam Award, which honors a person whose
published work and career represent a significant contribution to the art of government through the application
of social science research.
His recent books include Drawing the Line: Legislative Ethics in the States (1996) and The Decline of Representative
Democracy (1998). He is currently working on a book, Does Representative Democracy Work?
Loomis, Burdett A. : University of Kansas
Burdett A. Loomis is professor of political science at the University of Kansas. A former American Political
Science Association Congressional Fellow and recipient of a Kemper Teaching Award, he has written extensively on
legislatures, political careers, interest groups, and policymaking.
Hibbing, John R. : University of Nebraska, Lincoln
John R. Hibbing is professor of political science at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. His books include Stealth
Democracy: How Americans Want Government to Work, cowritten with Elizabeth Theiss-Morse (2002).
Kurtz, Karl T. :
Karl T. Kurtz is director of the National Conference on State Legislatures' Trust for Representative Democracy.
He has written, consulted, and lectured widely on American state legislatures and elections.
Review
"This wise and useful book explains why politics is a good thing. The authors show us that governing a
quarrelsome, divided Republic is not easy, but that the American system beautifully represents and encompasses
the diverse nature of our continental democracy. A wonderful tonic for the pervasive cynicism about politics and
government in these United States!"
--Larry J. Sabato, University of Virginia
"Republic on Trial manages an amazing feat: it provides a lucid, informed, and sophisticated description and
analysis on representative democracy in America without giving in to the cynicism and distrust that are so fashionable
these days. The authors make intelligible and attractive the complex world of legislatures and provide the text
for a revival of civic education in America."
--Thomas E. Mann, Brookings Institution
"Republic on Trial: The Case for Representative Democracy provides a thoughtful corrective to the simplistic
understandings that many Americans have about the nature of our representative system. An essential component of
any Introductionary course in American Politics, the book gives students and the general reader the opportunity
to consider, understand and ultimately appreciate the messy and often maddening business of representative democracy.
At a time when Americans are being asked to reconsider ideas about their rights and responsibilities in the democratic
process, Republic on Trial provides citizens with the ability come to terms with the complexities and ambiguities
of our system of government under the Constitution. A welcome first-step in repairing a frayed and diminished civic
culture."
--Maureen Moakley, University of Rhode Island
"As the mass media increasingly make elected executives the center of the political universe, it is even more
crucial to be told that representative assemblies are democracy's heart. This well-crafted book both reminds us
why legislatures matter and updates us on their accomplishments and challenges."
--Terry Jones, University of Missouri-St. Louis
"This book should be assigned to all citizens. Perhaps then we could shed some of our collective cynicism
about politics, become a more proactive citizenry, and engage in the political process in a more constructive manner."
--Brian Fife, Indiana University
"The authors show that the public fails to appreciate the contributions that elected official make to the
political process. They make a strong case in defense of representative democracy. Concerned citizens should pay
attention to what they have to say before they reach their own conclusions."
--Robert Keiser, San Diego State University
CQ Press Web Site, October, 2003
Summary
Despite all the arguing from politicians, special interests, and political parties, Americans basically agree
on the most important political issues. If only our legislators would stop fighting over obtuse policy details
and really listen to what ordinary Americans want, representatives on Capitol Hill and in the statehouses would
actually get something done, right? Wrong.
Americans perceive consensus when in reality there is none. The fact of the matter is Americans not only disagree
on the most significant challenges facing the country, but also conflict on what to do about them. On issue after
issue--crime, Social Security, homosexual rights, military intervention, abortion--the American public is deeply
divided over the proper course of action. Yet our system is not flawed by this division; democracy is necessarily
complex and contentious. In truth, without these messy and chaotic features of governance, our system would not
be working as the Founders envisioned.
In lucid and lively prose, the authors lay out criteria with which to assess our representative system. By showing
students what democracy entails in practice--the in's and out's of legislators actually doing their jobs--they
will come to see that uncertainty, competing interests, confusion, bargaining, compromise, and conflict are central
to the proper functioning of our democracy.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. What Does the Public Think?
2. What Did the Framers Have in Mind?
3. Where Do People Stand on Issues?
4. What Makes Legislators Tick?
5. How Are Legislators Linked to Constituencies?
6. How Special are the Special Interests?
7. Why is the Political Process Contentious?
8. What Makes Legislators and Legislatures Accountable?
9. How Well Have Legislatures Been Working?
10. Representative Democracy Does Work
