Despite all the arguing from politicians, special interests, and political parties, Americans basically agree on the most important political issues. If only our legislators would stop fighting over obtuse policy details and really listen to what ordinary Americans want, representatives on Capitol Hill and in the statehouses would actually get something done, right? Wrong.

Americans perceive consensus when in reality there is none. The fact of the matter is Americans not only disagree on the most significant challenges facing the country, but also conflict on what to do about them. On issue after issue—crime, Social Security, homosexual rights, military intervention, abortion—the American public is deeply divided over the proper course of action. Yet our system is not flawed by this division; democracy is necessarily complex and contentious. In truth, without these messy and chaotic features of governance, our system would not be working as the Founders envisioned.

In lucid and lively prose, the authors lay out criteria with which to assess our representative system. By showing students what democracy entails in practice—the in's and out's of legislators actually doing their jobs—they will come to see that uncertainty, competing interests, confusion, bargaining, compromise, and conflict are central to the proper functioning of our democracy.

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“This wise and useful book explains why politics is a good thing. The authors show us that governing a quarrelsome, divided Republic is not easy, but that the American system beautifully represents and encompasses the diverse nature of our continental democracy. A wonderful tonic for the pervasive cynicism about politics and government in these United States!”

“Republic on Trial manages an amazing feat: it provides a lucid, informed, and sophisticated description and analysis on representative democracy in America without giving in to the cynicism and distrust that are so fashionable these days. The authors make intelligible and attractive the complex world of legislatures and provide the text for a revival of civic education in America.”

“Republic on Trial: The Case for Representative Democracy provides a thoughtful corrective to the simplistic understandings that many Americans have about the nature of our representative system. An essential component of any Introductionary course in American Politics, the book gives students and the general reader the opportunity to consider, understand and ultimately appreciate the messy and often maddening business of representative democracy. At a time when Americans are being asked to reconsider ideas about their rights and responsibilities in the democratic process, Republic on Trial provides citizens with the ability come to terms with the complexities and ambiguities of our system of government under the Constitution. A welcome first-step in repairing a frayed and diminished civic culture.”

“As the mass media increasingly make elected executives the center of the political universe, it is even more crucial to be told that representative assemblies are democracy's heart. This well-crafted book both reminds us why legislatures matter and updates us on their accomplishments and challenges.”

“This book should be assigned to all citizens. Perhaps then we could shed some of our collective cynicism about politics, become a more proactive citizenry, and engage in the political process in a more constructive manner.”

“The authors show that the public fails to appreciate the contributions that elected official make to the political process. They make a strong case in defense of representative democracy. Concerned citizens should pay attention to what they have to say before they reach their own conclusions.”

Alan Rosenthal is professor of public policy and political science at the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. He has written extensively on state legislatures and state politics. His books include: The Third House--Lobbyists and Lobbying in the States (Revised ed. 2001); The Decline of Representative Democracy (1998); Heavy Lifting--The Job of the American Legislature (2004); and Engines of Democracy--Politics and Policymaking in State Legislatures(2009). In recognition of the contribution his published work and career has made to "the art of government through the application of social science research" he was given a lifetime achievement award by the American Political Science Association.

Rosenthal has worked with legislatures across the country. In 2006 he was given an award for lifetime achievement from NCSL and SLLF. In his home state, New Jersey, he chaired the Ad Hoc Commission on Legislative Ethics and Campaign Finance. In 1992 and 2001 he was selected to chair the New Jersey Congressional Redistricting Commission and in 2011 he was chosen to serve as the eleventh member of the State Legislative Apportionment Commission. He also has chaired the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards, a committee of the New Jersey Legislature. In 1993 he received the Governor's award for Public Service in New Jersey.

Burdett A. Loomis is professor of political science at the University of Kansas. A former American Political Science Association Congressional Fellow and recipient of a Kemper Teaching Award, he has written extensively on legislatures, political careers, interest groups, and policymaking.

John R. Hibbing is professor of political science at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. His books include Stealth Democracy: How Americans Want Government to Work, cowritten with Elizabeth Theiss-Morse (2002).

Karl T. Kurtz is director of the National Conference on State Legislatures' Trust for Representative Democracy. He has written, consulted, and lectured widely on American state legislatures and elections.