Why We're Polarized

By: Ezra Klein

Narrated by: Ezra Klein

Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

This New York Times and Wall Street Journal best seller shows us that America’s political system isn’t broken. The truth is scarier: It’s working exactly as designed. In this “superbly researched” (The Washington Post) and timely book, journalist Ezra Klein reveals how that system is polarizing us - and how we are polarizing it - with disastrous results.

“The American political system - which includes everyone from voters to journalists to the president - is full of rational actors making rational decisions given the incentives they face,” writes political analyst Ezra Klein. “We are a collection of functional parts whose efforts combine into a dysfunctional whole.”

“A thoughtful, clear and persuasive analysis” (The New York Times Book Review), Why We’re Polarized reveals the structural and psychological forces behind America’s descent into division and dysfunction. Neither a polemic nor a lament, this book offers a clear framework for understanding everything from Trump’s rise to the Democratic Party’s leftward shift to the politicization of everyday culture.

America is polarized, first and foremost, by identity. Everyone engaged in American politics is engaged, at some level, in identity politics. Over the past 50 years in America, our partisan identities have merged with our racial, religious, geographic, ideological, and cultural identities. These merged identities have attained a weight that is breaking much in our politics and tearing at the bonds that hold this country together.

Klein shows how and why American politics polarized around identity in the 20th century and what that polarization did to the way we see the world and one another. And he traces the feedback loops between polarized political identities and polarized political institutions that are driving our system toward crisis.

“Well worth reading” (New York magazine), this is an “eye-opening” (O, The Oprah Magazine) book that will change how you look at politics and perhaps at yourself.

©2020 Ezra Klein (P)2020 Simon & Schuster Audio

Topical and Fantastic Read / Listen

The primary reflection I have now, having just finished this audio book is it was as if this was a one on one conversation I had with Ezra. While a subtle thing, but still a thing, it wasn't like the speaker was talking at me, rather, the author speaking to me. The flow of the book was logical, flowed with observation N having relevance to N-1. The flow and thesis made complete sense. It was neither partisan nor a hit job. Well done Mr Klein!

Great Information With A Birdseye View, Nauseating Narration

This is a very good book as far as the information goes the near ration is terrible though because he constantly giggles in a sort of immature space mug fashion. I think that is because he views himself as needing to appear more feminine to fit in with his peer group. He seems to underplay his own identity while overplaying women’s which I find rather spineless since he belongs to a minority himself. Being an ally foremost makes you essentially a tool. There’s actually a good bit of a antisemitism going on these days but since he’s a “white male” not even a “white man” he’s got to say his mea culpas. He also didn’t mention white women’s privilege with that. Everyone on the board of trustees at Huff Post is one. There’s a great book on this called “White Women’s Rights” written in 1999 so before all this.

He’s a self described brainiac so I think despite sounding like a 15 year old with his inflections he’s incredibly sharp and actually rather unbiased for the most part. A lot of this I’ve noticed stems from the need to conform ideologically in school and be agreeable. We can’t get to the real meaty truth is we keep kow-towing to people in charge and their sacred cows.

Another thing I’d like to mention is that I tried to convince a conservative friend to read this book in a book swap which was futile. If more people talk like this which no one really likes it’ll become harder.

Informative & Easy to Digest

I expected nothing less than a clear, concise message from Ezra Klein. His writing is thoughtful, open, and willing to explore conversations we have not had as a community. I highly recommend this book as it is easy to read/listen and honest about personal perspectives and biases.

A sincere, succinct, and compelling diagnosis

Many have tackled some form of this topic, but Ezra Klein does a stellar job of synthesizing a bewildering background of relevant research and observation into a straightforward and succinct story of where we are as a polarized nation, how we got here, and what it really means for our future.

The writing is engaging enough on its own, but hearing the author’s own voice on the audiobook lends a sense of honesty and humor that I think makes the audiobook better than the book.

If your looking at this review, then I recommend you just go ahead and get the book. It was certainly worth my time, and if the topic appeals I suspect it’s worth your time too.

Dense book, informative and thought-provoking

I am no stranger to Ezra's work. I was thinking that most of the arguments here would sound familiar to me since I listen to his podcast every time it comes out and follow many sections of vox.com. Though the book seems to require a lot of attention especially to the nunbers, statistics and data, it was an overall enjoyable listen and make me think that things are not that hopeless if we make a collective effort. Another main take home message is the fact that being more polarized today does not mean a step backwards compared to what America was as a society just a couple of decades ago. Even though the inequalities, the divisions and misunderstandings that underlie it still persist in the ecosystem, we have undoubtedly made considerable advances and have become a better version of ourselves with time. It requires hard work and investing time and energy, but I hope we will not give up towards a Union that works for -maybe one day- everyone.

Great Analysis while Maintaining Objectivity

This book helps the audience understand all the many factors that contribute to our current political climate. Interesting, Nuanced, Straightforward. Would recommend

Focused, Well-Researched, Enlightening

Ezra Klein does a great job providing a mix of historical context, psychological research, and political theory to illuminate why we're polarized. he's also very succinct and a clear writer. love this book

Redemption is possible

if you've ever struggled to understand or talk to friends, family or coworkers over matters of politics, regardless of party, then start here. Understanding the incentives beneath what appears to be a broken system that seems to leave the vast majority of moderate Americans out of the picture will help us to - at the very least, not hate each other. It could even help us understand our own motivations and become more calmly aware of our predisposition to align ourselves into factions of identity that benefit our own group, but deny other groups.

Written by an admittedly liberal, vegan Californian, this is not a liberal book. it's a reasoned take o. our system today and offers creative ideas to remedy it in such a way that the greatest swath of American people would benefit, and perhaps release our elected officials from a mechanism that only encourages division and the perception that government does not work for normal people.

Essential Reading

Klein insightfully presents both the foundations of and the current situation of cultural polarization in the United States. The social and cultural forces which are embedded in our particular democracy present both a powerful form of mutual responsibility and, as we see today, ideologically aligned divisions. This book reminds us of the vulnerability of our nation as well as our true potential if we can keep ourselves out if the mire of structural binary opposition. A quick, entertaining, and, ultimately, inspiring text.

Reversion to Political Tribes - current analysis

Very readable/listenable book - complete with numerous Sociological Study references backing up - this point or that point. His point is that the 'political amity' of the mid 20th Century America was an anomaly - and that 'the four parties' (Democrats, DixieCrats, Conservative Republicans and Liberal Republicans) - have now 'sorted themselves out' - leading to a sorted set of parties vigorously opposing each other in a political holy war.

One key thought I'm still processing is the thread (espoused by the Author as well as Jill LePore in "These Truths" - that after the fall of the Soviet Union (1991)- the United States needed an 'enemy' - and a Domestic Cold War broke out - between the Democrats and Republicans (Gingrich assumes the Speakership of the House in 1994) - and then starts the "holy war" between the parties which begins the slash-and-burn mentality.

The Republicans have an advantage because they have one special interest group - older whiter Christians. The Democrats have 'n' special interest groups - who live on a political spectrum - and need to 'balance out' their support of the different groups.

Several other points to ponder:

The U.S. Culture represents a time and market approximately 10 years into the future. This time and market is multi-racial and young. Nike markets to the young uses Colin Kapernick.

The U.S. Political Power represents a time approximately 10 years ago - demonstrated by the Republicans holding power supported by older, whiter Christian Americans who feel "their world" under threat. This is Trump's Base.

The Economic Models represent a time about 40-50 years ago. 50 year ago Milton Friedman funded by the then Koch Brothers invented a model to reduce taxes and 'starve' the New Deal. Arthur Laffer took this idea and generated a tax model used by Reagan/Thatcher in the 1980's cutting taxes on the wealthy - with the goal of having these taxes pay for themselves. These tax cuts didn't pay for themselves - generating deficits - also income/wealth inequality became an issue.

Each of the above are on different time cycles and impact cycles.

Cable TV and the news media contributes to this polarization - due to their Business Models - clicks and revenues favoring the most outrages talking points and rebuttals.

The ground rules for today's current set of politicians: Get Elected; Get the Majority; Enact policies favorable to your base.

Book begins with an 'even/balanced tone' - later more of his biases present themselves.

His suggestions for solutions are 'okay' - a variant of getting more centrist candidates elected with the idea of politicians running and governing "from the Center" - similar suggestions made by Michael Porter - American Competitiveness Institute - about an end to GerryMandering (through an independent Commission) - having one, open primary - where the people who get the most votes go on to the general election (could be two republicans/two democrats).

Finally, I didn't hear Ezra Klein "provide a lot of hope" on how this problem would be solved. I heard him say - that the Demographic changes over time 20-24 years could "Turn Texas Blue" - and move the election - [solution through Demographics] but otherwise not a great deal of hope on a solution to this matter. I heard that the current Polarization could be the 'base case' for many years into the future. I'm not sure what this will bode for the U.S. in its Great Power Competition with China, Russia and others.

A very interesting book - some key thoughts and analysis on our reversion to Political Tribes.

A stray thought as I read about the rise of China and the endangerment of the American Empire - is this Polarization associated with the decline of an Empire?

Political junkies would like this book.

Carl Gallozzi
[e-mail]