Policymaking for Realists

How to make durable policy change in a seemingly broken system.

American politics is likely to remain a closely divided, highly polarized two-party system for the foreseeable future. Rather than pine for an impossible constitutional overhaul, Matt Grossmann lays out how we can still achieve policy wins despite the system’s many constraints. He offers a practical guide for governing when neither side can rely on sustaining power on their own. From the energy transition to building housing to criminal justice reform, the most durable changes in American life are not coming from noisy partisan revolutions. Rather, they are the fruit of bipartisan agreements and careful implementation, often occurring behind-the-scenes.

An astute observer of US politics, Grossmann is also at the forefront of translating academic research for broad audiences. In Policymaking for Realists, he draws on numerous examples across policy areas in state and federal government, as well as the newest research, to distill key lessons for policymakers, business and advocacy group leaders, activists, and concerned citizens. This book is essential reading for those interested in creating change within the country that we actually have.