America the Unusual

by John W. Kingdon

This book explores the uniqueness of the American system of government and how it acquired its distinctiveness. John Kingdon argues that America is fundamentally different from other industrialized countries and surveys diverse perspectives on American development in an effort to explain why America is so distinct. He then assesses what does and does not work in the American political system, arguing for a tempering of American doctrines and a return to pragmatism.