Compromise: Reviving the Art (and Science) of the Possible

The U.S. political system may be getting polarized to the point where it is not only dysfunctional, but could be conducive to a single-party authoritarian transition. This book promotes a renewed appreciation for its exercise, through an examination of its history, an analysis of how and why polarization has increased in the U.S., and how compromise could better serve our approach to some current contentious issues. All of this is within the context of maintaining the priority of education for society-at-large, to improve our chances of finding common ground, pursuing non-zero sum outcomes, and reducing the political paralysis.

Richard K. Laird is an adjunct professor of social and political science at Bergen Community College in Paramus, NJ, and Rockland Community College in Suffern, NY.