Uniting America : Restoring the Vital Center to American Democracy

InUniting America,some of the country's most prominent social thinkersamong them Francis Fukuyama, Daniel Yankelovich, Amitai Etzioni, Alan Wolfe, Uwe Reinhardt, and Thomas E. Mannreject the myth of polarization. On topics ranging from the war on terrorism, health care, economic policy, and Social Security to religion, diversity, and immigration, the authors argue that there are sensible, centrist solutions that are more in keeping with prevailing public sentiment and that would better serve the national interest. On issue after issue, the authors show how the conventional framing of the debate in Washington has misled Americans, creating a series of false dilemmas and forcing choices between two extremesat the expense of more balanced and pragmatic policy solutions based on enduring American values. Uniting Americaprovides a blueprint for a fresh approach to American politics, grounded in moderation, pragmatism, and the shared values that unite Americans.

NORTON GARFINKLE is chairman of the George Washington University Institute for Communitarian Policy Studies. DANIEL YANKELOVICH is founder and chairman of Public Agenda.