Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress—and How to Bring It Back
Marc J. Dunkelman
Feb 2025 · Hachette Audio · Narrated by David de Vries
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13 hr 31 min
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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. 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.
“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. 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.
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 cou...
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About the author
Marc J. Dunkelman is a resident scholar at the Searchlight Institute and a fellow at Brown University’s Watson School for International and Public Affairs. During more than a decade working in politics, he worked for Democratic members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The author of The Vanishing Neighbor, Dunkelman’s work has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Financial Times, The Boston Globe, and Politico. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island.
Marc J. Dunkelman is a resident scholar at the Searchlight Institute and a fellow at Brown University’s Watson School for International and Public Affairs. During more than a decade working in politics, he worked for Democratic members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The auth...
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