Why Nothing Works
Who Killed Progress—and How to Bring It Back
PublicAffairs · Print & ebook · February 18, 2025
A provocative exploration of the forces that keep us from getting things done, and how we can restore confidence in government. “Dunkelman summarizes the history perfectly.” —David Brooks, The New York Times Named a Best Book of the Year by Financial Times • The Economist America was once a country that did big things.
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- Who it’s for
- A layered argument about why progress stalled, with enough clarity to argue about over dinner.
- Genres
- Political Commentary, National Government, Public Policy
- Published
- PublicAffairs, February 18, 2025
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A provocative exploration of the forces that keep us from getting things done, and how we can restore confidence in government. “Dunkelman summarizes the history perfectly.” —David Brooks, The New York Times Named a Best Book of the Year by Financial Times • The Economist 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.
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As Marc 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.
Why It Clicks
A layered argument about why progress stalled, with enough clarity to argue about over dinner.
Come here for
- politics and history, tied tightly
- a serious, discussion-ready frame
Expect
- insight over slogans
- prestige-minded, explanatory prose
Where it sits
| Political Commentary | 37% |
|---|---|
| National Government | 34% |
| Public Policy | 27% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- 20th-Century America
- Democracy
- Political Economy
- Authors
- Marc J. Dunkelman
- Publisher
- PublicAffairs
- Published
- February 18, 2025
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Reading lane
- 20th-Century America