Why Americans Hate Politics, by E. J. Dionne. 1991

Perhaps a book of enormous importance, especially during an election year, E.J. Dionne's work examines the rise and fall of Liberalism since the New Deal, the rise of the New Left, and the rise of the New Right. Just like today, Dionne notes how serious dialog has been prevented on most major issues by both conservatives and liberals alike who provide the public with false symbols and choices. What we have instead, is false politics, "polarized" by highlighting these symbolic issues. The end result is a lack of real discursive political debate. This provides little outlet for the discontents in American society and places money in the center of the electoral process. This leaves the country alarmed over whether or not it can maintain its standard of living (it's the economy stupid!). This is why Americans hate politics.