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The Twenty-Five Year Crack-Up of the Republican Party: A Deep Dive into the Forces Shaping American Politics

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The Destructionists: The Twenty-Five Year Crack-Up of the Republican Party

by Dana Milbank

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1112 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	416 pages

By Lee Drutman

The Republican Party is in the midst of a major transformation. In the past twenty-five years, the party has moved from being a relatively moderate, pro-business party to a more radical, populist party. This transformation has been driven by a number of factors, including the rise of the Tea Party movement, the election of Donald Trump, and the increasing salience of social issues in American politics.

In his new book, The Twenty-Five Year Crack-Up of the Republican Party, Lee Drutman argues that the Republican Party is in the midst of a major crisis. The party is divided between its traditional pro-business wing and its newer, more populist wing. This division is making it difficult for the party to govern, and it is likely to lead to further conflict in the years to come.

Drutman's book is a must-read for anyone interested in American politics. He provides a clear and concise overview of the forces that have shaped the Republican Party over the past twenty-five years, and he offers insights into the future of the party and the American political landscape.

The Rise of the Tea Party Movement

The Tea Party movement emerged in 2009 as a reaction to the Obama administration's economic policies. The movement was made up of a diverse group of conservatives, including libertarians, social conservatives, and anti-tax activists. The Tea Party movement played a major role in the Republican Party's victory in the 2010 midterm elections, and it has continued to be a force within the party ever since.

The Tea Party movement has had a significant impact on the Republican Party. The movement has pushed the party to the right on a number of issues, including taxes, healthcare, and immigration. The Tea Party movement has also made the Republican Party more hostile to compromise.

The Election of Donald Trump

The election of Donald Trump in 2016 was a major turning point for the Republican Party. Trump was a populist outsider who appealed to many of the same voters who had supported the Tea Party movement. Trump's election has further divided the Republican Party, and it has made it more difficult for the party to govern.

Trump's presidency has been marked by a number of controversies, including his attacks on the media, his immigration policies, and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump's presidency has also exposed the deep divisions within the Republican Party.

The Increasing Salience of Social Issues

Social issues have become increasingly salient in American politics in recent years. This is due in part to the rise of the religious right, which has made social issues a central part of its agenda. The increasing salience of social issues has made it more difficult for the Republican Party to unite its voters.

The Republican Party is now divided between its traditional pro-business wing and its newer, more populist wing. This division is making it difficult for the party to govern, and it is likely to lead to further conflict in the years to come.

Drutman's book is a timely and important contribution to the literature on American politics. He provides a clear and concise overview of the forces that have shaped the Republican Party over the past twenty-five years, and he offers insights into the future of the party and the American political landscape.

The Destructionists: The Twenty-Five Year Crack-Up of the Republican Party

by Dana Milbank

4.5 out of 5