(S)electing the President

Rezensionen / Stimmen

Praise for (S)electing the President

Michael L. Mezey's (S)electing the President: The Perils of Democracy is a must-read for anyone interested in the current state of our presidential selection process. After the historic 2016 election, this outstanding analysis addresses the central dilemmas of American democracy today: As our electoral system becomes more democratized with increased demagoguery, is the quality of candidates and campaigns diminished? Is it possible to have good government and quality leaders?

James A. Thurber, American University

Michael Mezey's new book, (S)electing the President, is an important contribution to the conversation surrounding popular elections. Drawing on the writing of ancient philosophers and our nation's founders, Mezey sends a strong message: that too much democratization of the nominating process and of the media might not be so beneficial as some think. His message is ignored at our peril.

L. Sandy Maisel, Colby College

With clarity and insight, Michael Mezey provides students and faculty with an engaging and concise narrative and analysis of the process by which we select the president of the United States. (S)electing the President is a must-read for students taking courses in introductory American government, elections, political parties, and politics and the media who want (and need) to better understand the history of the selection process, and specifically the 2016 presidential election.

Alan R. Gitelson, Loyola University Chicago

There is a conundrum at the heart of American electoral politics: The more democratized the presidential elections become, the less likely the most qualified candidate is elected. (S)electing the President casts a critical eye at the tension between democratic appeal and governing competence - pinpointing causes, consequences, and potential reform - and pierces this conundrum. Michael Mezey's broad historical sweep and careful contemporary analysis should be a wake-up call for anyone concerned about the dynamics and outcomes of recent presidential elections.

Sarah Binder, George Washington University and The Brookings Institution