Why Nothing Works

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A01=Marc J. Dunkelman
America
Author_Marc J. Dunkelman
autonomy
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change
climate
culture
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eq_society-politics
Government
healthcare
infrastructure
political
politics
power
progress
progressive
reform
society

Product details

  • ISBN 9781541700239
  • Weight: 340g
  • Dimensions: 138 x 208mm
  • Publication Date: 21 May 2026
  • Publisher: PublicAffairs,U.S.
  • Publication City/Country: US
  • Product Form: Paperback
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An "astute" and "insightful" (Financial Times) exploration of the forces that keep us from getting things done, and how we can restore confidence in government

America was once a country that did big things. But today, even while facing a host of pressing challenges-a housing shortage, a climate crisis, dilapidated infrastructure-we feel stuck. As Mark J. Dunkelman reveals, America is the victim of a vetocracy that allows nearly anyone to stifle progress. While conservatives deserve some blame, progressives have overlooked an unlikely culprit: their own fears of "The Establishment." A half century ago, reformers began to put speaking truth to power ahead of exercising that power for good. Now, the ensuing gridlock has pummeled faith in public institutions of all sorts and opened the door for MAGA-style populism. Why Nothing Works uncovers the roots of this predicament, and boldly shows how progressives can once again build a better future for all.

Marc J. Dunkelman is a fellow at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs. He previously worked for Democratic members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives and as a senior fellow at the Clinton Foundation. The author of The Vanishing Neighbor, Dunkelman’s work has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Atlantic, and Politico. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island.

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