Minority Rule: The Right-Wing Attack on the Will of the People—and the Fight To Resist It

Mother Jones national voting rights correspondent Berman (Give Us the Ballot) offers this broad study on efforts throughout U.S. history to thwart the wishes of majority voters and Congress. His book provides a historical overview of immigration restrictions and examines the early debate over majority rule and minority rights in the drafting of the Constitution. He cites the obstruction of the Tea Party movement during Obama’s presidency as an example of how the Constitution can be used to push back against progressive policies and expanded voting rights. He also demonstrates how Pat Buchanan’s views—considered racist by many—influenced the Republican Party from Nixon through Trump. He offers chilling case studies from Wisconsin and Georgia on gerrymandered congression-al districts and efforts to restrict voting, as well as an analysis of voter fraud allegations. Trump’s attempted electoral coup in 2020 is discussed in-depth. The book also touches on opposition to abortion rights, gun safety, and education policies. The book concludes with recent democratic successes in Michigan and Wisconsin and the changing political environment in Georgia.