Politics has always been an intriguing topic of discussion for humans since the inception of mankind. There are different schools of political thought, from the Romans to the great Greeks. All these measures have had repercussions on the current situation with regard to the governing bodies of the countries. The Great West has been critical when it comes to shaping the political destiny of the other developing nations of the world.
Western culture and its political influence have been paramount for deciding trade, economic challenges, geopolitics, immigration policies, and other factors. There has always been a debate that America is slowly losing ground to powerful Asian countries like China in terms of global dominance. Keeping all of these scenarios in mind, political discussions mentioned in the below books becomes eminent to understand the scenarios.
The carefully curated books by diverse and proficient figures from the world of politics gain insight into what has gone wrong with democracy and what factors can destabilize the nations when it comes to depending on western politics. Dive deep into these knowledgeable reads to get the perfect picture of world politics at large.
1. Divided We Fall: America’s Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation by David French
David A. French comes with an outstanding view of the modern-day American politics that has conveniently divided the nation. The book warns that the segmented views by different sections of society and political parties can destroy the peace of the United States. The author reveals the sinister scenarios with well-documented points which give a sinister picture of the country when it comes to standing as a nation of diversity. He cleverly points that the Republican Party and the Democratic Party have succeeded in fracturing the basic principles of freedom and equality.
Diving right out the idolization of conservatism and capitalism, this book throws light on how people of the United States need to work out a plan to preserve the political ideals of the nation. An excellent eye-opening read for the future generations to come.
2. The Conservative Sensibility by George F. Will
George F. Will is a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist who has authored one of the greatest books on conservatism. His book compares the vision of the Founding Fathers of America to the present-day politics that completely derails the notions of equality and liberty. The book blames the existence of semi-autonomous agencies that have gained access to the workings of the government. These organizations now hold vested interests in the policies and political sayings of the government. Power has been consolidated into the hands of the luxurious few who hold the key to making major decisions on behalf of the nation.
The chapters are written in philosophical precision and explain the basic foundation of conservatism. This book returns to the very roots of Americanism and explains where the political views have strayed from the days of the first written Constitutional rights.
3. The Great Revolt: Inside the Populist Coalition Reshaping American Politics by Salena Zito
Salena Zito is a CNN political analyst who has traveled across the United States to gather the perspectives of Trump’s voters. She and her colleague Brad Todd interviewed more than thousands of voters irrespective of their neighborhood, economic position, and cultural background to paint a political picture that helped shape the 2016 Presidential election. This book has since been one of the New York Times best-sellers and has also been named one of the best books of the year by the Foreign Ministry.
The book presents a qualitative analysis of the unexpected victory of President Donald Trump in the Presidential race. It also presents various survey data, voting reviews, interviews with farmers, union leaders, blue-collar workers, and the general working class. Great political reading from the everyday voters’ point of view, and in realizing a side of Trump that the media failed to project.
4. The Accidental Superpower: The Next Generation of American Preeminence and the Coming Global Disorder by Mr. Peter Zeihan
Peter Zeihan is an international strategist who has developed solid research points and comparable geographic data to support the US’s future political position. The books discuss the geographical restrictions that are placed by the regional depletion of natural resources in the US. This will lead to major destabilization of the country in terms of employment and economic factors. The United States can face serious challenges to remain the superpower when it comes to managing its geographic resources. He also stressed that climate change and business routes across the ocean are destabilizing economic power.
The author has backed his observations with accurate historic, geographic, demographic studies, global security challenges, and economic issues. An interesting read when it comes to understanding the geopolitics of the US in terms of the current political scenario.
5. How We Win: How Cutting-Edge Entrepreneurs, Political Visionaries, Enlightened Business Leaders and Social Media Maven can Defeat the Extremist Threat by Farah Pandith
Farah Pandith has answered an important question about how to tackle global extremism, which has risen since the occurrence of 9/11. The author, through her eagle viewpoint, has mentioned that the current breed of politicians has only aggravated the extremist ideologies into dangerous elevations. She has coined the book on the expertise of her visits to more than eighty countries, interviews with high-profile dignitaries, her experience under the Bush and Obama administrations, and her international observations. She insists that the youth, mental health experts, the current generation of entrepreneurs, and diplomats can tackle this problem at the roots.
The author has pointed out how Saudi-backed funding has produced a restrictive outlook about Islam in the westernized world. It also focuses on how immigrant youth from Muslim countries tend to radicalize first. The author herself, coming from a Muslim upbringing, doesn’t waste time in hitting the nail on the head with this open declaration of tackling extremists and their ideologies.
6. Nobody: Casualties of America’s War on the Vulnerable, from Ferguson to Flint and Beyond by Marc Lamont Hill
Marc Lamont Hill has written a compelling book about the crisis that is looming with the states of the US. It highlights the sad business of the government, where law and order have become a system doomed to failure while ordinary people have become the target of police shootings. Water has become poisonous to drink with the chemicals being drained into the river channels in Flint and Michigan. He describes a racial war that has termed many citizens as ‘nobody’ when it comes to injustice and unlawful killings. The journalist has tried to render articulation to the many unnoticed communities that live in the US.
The book is a powerful interpretation on the subject of Black Lives Matter, with facts and exact numbers of the present political situation. This is an excellent perspective on the social reforms that need to be implemented to save lives—a scholarly look at how racism has functioned throughout America’s history.
7. The Violence Inside Us: A Brief History of an Ongoing American Tragedy by Chris Murphy
Chris Murphy has described the most burning topic that has plagued America and its politics – the Gun debate. The author has put forth powerful views about the occurrence of politics around gun violence in the US. A captivating reading on how to end the senseless mass murders that plagued the American system with the central gun debate. He bases his facts on scientific research, history, and his own personal insights about a society that is torn between protecting itself and creating assassins of the future. He accurately describes the psychology behind common citizens owing several firearms for protection which leads to violence.
Senator Murphy has done his research right and presented an in-depth view of the rot that has set in with the possession of firearms. A compelling read about the need to regulate policies that will stop mass murders at the hands of gun owners.
8. What’s So Great About America by Dinesh D’Souza
Dinesh D’souza has written an honest view of American politics from an immigrant lens. He has put forth a well-researched outlook on how immigrants come to this land of milk and honey to gain instant success and wealth. The harsh reality that we have to face when it comes to achieving a firm step by contributing to the nation’s economic construction. Apart from praising the American way of living, the author is also quick to point out that the radicals who created destruction on 9/11 were, in fact, individuals from educated and wealthy families who were exposed to westernization.
The book also explores why the idea of westernization was popularized by other countries of the world. It gives a glorious picture of the American culture that has swept the immigrant world at large—a revealing book for migrants who want to settle in America for a bright future.
9. Beyond the Messy Truth: How We Came Apart, How We Come Together by Van Jones
Van Jones is a celebrated CNN host, and he burst into the political scene during the 2016 Presidential elections. In this book, he has urged all of the American political parties to ditch the ideals of accusational politics and work together for the nation. The author stresses that working on unemployment, poverty conditions in deprived neighborhoods, climate change, resource preservation, drug addiction prevention, and economic dynamics will save the country. He also touches on the political reasons why President Trump was unanimously elected as the head. The author then explains that the Clinton and Bush dynasties have long made America suffer as a result of their policy of concentration of power.
It proposes practical solutions to the political problems facing the nation today. He turns out to be a clear and concise voice on the disparities in the American political scene.
10. Poetry from the Future: Why a Global Liberation Movement is Our Civilizations Last Chance by Srecko Horvat
Srecko Horvat has penned his thoughts brilliantly about the totalitarianism that has been gripping the political parties in the world, making politics a sad state of affairs. He mentioned that the freedom of speech and expression of any person was put on an equal footing with the restrictions imposed by the government. He says that as things get tougher, society will become dystopian. The author has put a compelling vision about the workings of a one-sided government that will have its own vested interests in all spheres of life.
An engaging reading on the future of human society in comparison with past political scenarios that have shaped the world.
Conclusion:
Political opinions are seen as the point of reference of individuals, each having a different viewpoint on how society should be governed. The books listed above give an accurate description of the various plagues that have infected this system—a masterpiece of information with a great collection of political views.
