Ezra Klein – Why We‘re Polarized
Summary: In this New York Times bestseller, journalist Ezra Klein argues that America’s political system isn’t broken — it’s actually working exactly as designed, which is precisely the problem. Over the past fifty years, Americans‘ partisan identities have merged with their racial, religious, geographic, ideological and cultural identities, creating a weight that is tearing at the bonds holding the country together. Klein examines how and why American politics became polarized around identity in the twentieth century, tracing the feedback loops between polarized political identities and polarized institutions that are driving the system toward crisis. Drawing on extensive research from political science and psychology, he reveals the structural and psychological forces behind America’s division, showing how rational actors making rational decisions within the system’s incentives have collectively created dysfunction.
Why we like it: Klein masterfully synthesizes decades of academic research into an accessible, engaging narrative that reads like a conversation with a brilliant friend who can distill complex studies into understandable insights. Rather than simply lamenting polarization or blaming specific politicians, the book provides a clear framework for understanding the systemic roots of our division — making it essential reading for anyone seeking to genuinely comprehend modern American politics beyond the daily headlines.