"Skowroneks terrific new book incisively explains why the US Constitution, notable for its longevity and perceived adaptability, seems no longer equipped to serve these ends. In the process, The Adaptability Paradox powerfully upends conventional narratives about the distinctive value of the documents institutional design. It fundamentally reframes how scholars and publics should understand the conditions that both generated change in the past and now inhibit progress. The result is an essential intervention in constitutional history as well as in todays most significant political debates." -- Aziz Rana | author of "The Constitutional Bind: How Americans Came to Idolize a Document That Fails Them" "In The Adaptability Paradox, Stephen Skowronek, the premiere scholar of American political development, provides an insightful analysis that raises the great political challenge of our time. Commendably, America has become more democratic over time, but only through adaptations that provided security for many unequal social, economic, and political features of American life. Today, anger at social, economic, and political elites abounds, on the right, left, and center. But is it still possible for the nation to become more fully democratic, and still hold together? A profoundly difficult question that we cannot ignore." -- Rogers M. Smith | coauthor of "Americas New Racial Battle Lines: Protect Versus Repair" "A strikingly original, penetrating, and sobering exploration of why the US Constitution, after two hundred years of remarkable resilience and adaptability, now seems to be failing. A profound intervention by one of Americas most distinguished political scientists." -- Gary Gerstle | author of "The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order: America and the World in the Free Market Era"
