New Books Network

Jeanne Sheehan, "American Democracy in Crisis: The Case for Rethinking Madisonian Government Post January 6" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024)

May 13, 2025
Jeanne Sheehan, a Political Science Professor at Iona University and a Bloomberg contributor, dives into the structural crises plaguing American democracy. She explores how the January 6 insurrection reflects deeper issues within the federal government, demanding reevaluation of governance. The conversation delves into the inadequacies of the Constitution in addressing modern challenges and critiques the two-party system. With urgent calls for institutional reforms, Sheehan warns that without change, public frustration may lead to disengagement or worse.
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ANECDOTE

Book Release Timing Anecdote

  • Jeanne Sheehan wrote her book just as the January 6 insurrection happened, which shocked many given its title, "American Democracy in Crisis."
  • She emphasizes the crisis is less about that event and more about structural issues in government responsiveness and accountability.
INSIGHT

Government's Chronic Policy Failure

  • The crisis is the federal government's chronic inability to solve major public issues like immigration and gun violence.
  • This failure persists despite widespread public demand across party lines for solutions over decades.
INSIGHT

Founders' Design Limits Governance

  • The US Constitution's design purposely divides power to protect liberty, making majority responsiveness and accountability difficult.
  • Founders expected amendments but valued protection over efficient governance, which no longer aligns with public needs today.
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