The Art of the Compromise

With close readings of the Founders, Lincoln, LBJ and others, David L. Page’s THE ART OF THE COMPROMISE lays out how the American form of government is deliberately – and perhaps uniquely – organized to build consensus across interests instead of promoting winner-take-all, zero-sum political warfare. Though its understanding of historical events can feel narrow at times and shallow at others, the book is clear-eyed about how decision-making which rightly pertains to Congress has either devolved to the President or simply stalled, contrary to the vision of the Constitution. THE ART OF THE COMPROMISE is a key part of the antidote: engaged and informed citizenry demanding bipartisan governance instead of deadlocked gamesmanship.