Paul Pierson is a professor of Political Science whose work focuses on comparative public policy, political economy, and the welfare state. His writing delves into the long-term transformations of the American political system, analyzing the intricate dynamics of policy and governance. Pierson's approach is characterized by rigorous analysis and a keen eye for the institutional underpinnings of political change. He seeks to understand the complex forces that shape national and international policy landscapes.
"Winner-Take-All Politics" by Jacob S. Hacker and Paul Pierson reveals how growing income inequality in America is primarily driven by political decisions favoring the wealthy. The authors trace this shift back to the late 1970s, showing how both parties have contributed to a system that benefits the rich at the expense of the middle class.
"A groundbreaking account of how the dangerous alliance of right-wing plutocrats and populists threatens the very pillars of American democracy. We often assume that the Republican Party is divided between a tax-cutting old guard and a white-nationalist vanguard-and that with Donald Trump's ascendance, the upstarts are winning. Yet as New York Times best-selling authors Jacob S. Hacker and Paul Pierson demonstrate, plutocrats and populists are now effectively allies in an intensifying fight to lock in America's skyrocketing inequality. Conservative parties can always be expected to side with economic elites, but when faced with popular resistance, they usually allow for policies that benefit the working and middle classes. Yet today's Republicans are an anomaly. Not only are they doubling down on a truly radical, elite-benefitting economic agenda, but even once-respectable conservatives have turned to nativist appeals and racist dog whistles-and, increasingly, to assaults on democracy itself. Drawing on decades of research, Hacker and Pierson offer a new framework for understanding this vicious circle of deregulation and fear-mongering-and show how we can fight it"-- Provided by publisher
A ground-breaking book on one of the great economic crises of our time -- why the richest of the rich are getting richer while we're not.
Argues that placing politics in time can enrich our understanding of complex social dynamics, and improve the theories and methods that we use to explain them. This book explores a range of features and implications of evolving social processes. It is intended for students in fields from political science, history, and sociology.
The book explores the evolving dynamics of welfare states in affluent democracies, emphasizing the ongoing political discourse surrounding social policy. Through a collection of insightful essays by prominent analysts, it highlights the focus on renegotiating and modernizing the post-war social contract, rather than dismantling it. This examination sheds light on contemporary social conflicts and the future of welfare systems in a changing political landscape.
Reagan, Thatcher and the Politics of Retrenchment
The book offers a comprehensive analysis of welfare states during challenging periods, emphasizing the interplay between policy feedbacks and political institutions. Pierson's insights provide a valuable framework for understanding how these factors influence each other, making it a significant contribution to comparative policy research. This study is poised to serve as a benchmark for future investigations in the field.
The Dangerous New Logic of American Politics in a Nationalized Era
The book examines the deepening crisis of American democracy, highlighting the disconnect between the Constitution and modern partisan politics. It explores how the nationalization of political dynamics has transformed local institutions and intensified polarization, contrasting today's political landscape with past eras. The authors analyze the evolving roles of state parties, interest groups, and media, revealing how they now reinforce partisanship rather than mitigate it. Ultimately, they warn of the unique vulnerabilities within the American political system that could lead to authoritarianism, particularly within the contemporary Republican Party.
. The book also provides a comparison of social policymaking in the EU with that in Canada and the United States, two other multitiered, or federal, systems.
