Review by monicamu -- Red Wave Imperative by Alan Schein
-
monicamu
- Posts: 367
- Joined: 24 Feb 2020, 03:18
- Currently Reading: Wings Over Ghost Creek
- Bookshelf Size: 42
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-monicamu.html
- Latest Review: Snow Country Lane by Sarah Vail
Review by monicamu -- Red Wave Imperative by Alan Schein
[Following is a volunteer review of "Red Wave Imperative" by Alan Schein.]
Even though Red Wave Imperative by Alan Schein was written with the 2018 US mid-term election in mind, the author’s comments are just as relevant for the 2020 presidential election as they were then.
While the main purpose of the book is clearly to persuade people to vote Republican, the author raises a number of thought-provoking issues and makes some suggestions as to how faults in the system can be remedied. He argues that “We need to elect new politicians who are not entrenched in the establishment, and who will better serve the voters.” That makes sense to me, but it does require that younger people take on this responsibility. Given the current state of affairs, I’m not sure who would want to.
Most of the points used to support the argument to vote Republican are well presented but there are times when the author uses blame. E.g. he states that the Democrats are to blame for things not getting done. This seems to me to be a weak and unhelpful argument in favor of Republicans and would only persuade you if you were already in the Republican camp.
Where he points out systemic or common faults he does make sure to provide examples from both sides or he at least makes it clear that both sides are at fault.
Throughout the book, the author makes a strong case for a “Voter Controlled Democracy” where voters remain involved after an election by monitoring their elected officials. He points to Singapore as a good example of this. He has set up a website where voters can record how they want politicians to vote in the House or Senate. The site also records how these politicians voted for all to see. This approach will require more active participation from citizens, which would surely not be a bad thing.
The issues that the Republicans are often criticized for are covered one by one in the book. For instance, he claims that Democrats, rather than Republicans, are to blame for families being separated at the borders. Whether or not you agree with his arguments, they are often thought-provoking.
The author presents a number of issues concerning the media. I think the most important one is where he points out that, due to the influence of elites (from either side) on media, there are really four sides to every issue (positive and negative from each party’s perspective). Voters should make a conscious effort to hear all four before they make a judgment. He exhorts voters to “Listen to what each party has to say – sometimes the party you favor is wrong!”. There is certainly a lot of work to be done for anyone who wants to make an informed choice.
The closing argument for voting Republican is “Giving Republicans control will remove their ability to blame Democrats for not getting things done and will cause them to take responsibility and give them the ability to pass laws that satisfy everyone’s needs.” I think this is his strongest argument and a fitting way to end the book.
There is a long reference list at the end but, given the points made about bias in search algorithms, one wonders whether these references can be trusted.
The part I liked the most was the idea of a "Voter Controlled Democracy" as this keeps the responsibility with the voters and thus promotes voting as a positive experience. What I liked least was the middle section where, point by point, Republicans were largely portrayed as blameless whereas Democrats are the cause of all the country’s problems. I felt that the arguments presented in this section were significantly weaker.
This is not really the kind of book one likes or dislikes, but it is well written, the arguments are presented clearly, and I did not notice any obvious errors, indicating that it has been through an edit.
There is one instance of profanity, but it’s in a quote and partially disguised.
The book is suitable for all who are old enough to vote. I believe that every voter in every democracy around the world would find it useful. Although the examples are specific to what is going on in the US now, similar problems exist in many other democracies.
I have no hesitation in awarding four out of four stars.
******
Red Wave Imperative
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Even though Red Wave Imperative by Alan Schein was written with the 2018 US mid-term election in mind, the author’s comments are just as relevant for the 2020 presidential election as they were then.
While the main purpose of the book is clearly to persuade people to vote Republican, the author raises a number of thought-provoking issues and makes some suggestions as to how faults in the system can be remedied. He argues that “We need to elect new politicians who are not entrenched in the establishment, and who will better serve the voters.” That makes sense to me, but it does require that younger people take on this responsibility. Given the current state of affairs, I’m not sure who would want to.
Most of the points used to support the argument to vote Republican are well presented but there are times when the author uses blame. E.g. he states that the Democrats are to blame for things not getting done. This seems to me to be a weak and unhelpful argument in favor of Republicans and would only persuade you if you were already in the Republican camp.
Where he points out systemic or common faults he does make sure to provide examples from both sides or he at least makes it clear that both sides are at fault.
Throughout the book, the author makes a strong case for a “Voter Controlled Democracy” where voters remain involved after an election by monitoring their elected officials. He points to Singapore as a good example of this. He has set up a website where voters can record how they want politicians to vote in the House or Senate. The site also records how these politicians voted for all to see. This approach will require more active participation from citizens, which would surely not be a bad thing.
The issues that the Republicans are often criticized for are covered one by one in the book. For instance, he claims that Democrats, rather than Republicans, are to blame for families being separated at the borders. Whether or not you agree with his arguments, they are often thought-provoking.
The author presents a number of issues concerning the media. I think the most important one is where he points out that, due to the influence of elites (from either side) on media, there are really four sides to every issue (positive and negative from each party’s perspective). Voters should make a conscious effort to hear all four before they make a judgment. He exhorts voters to “Listen to what each party has to say – sometimes the party you favor is wrong!”. There is certainly a lot of work to be done for anyone who wants to make an informed choice.
The closing argument for voting Republican is “Giving Republicans control will remove their ability to blame Democrats for not getting things done and will cause them to take responsibility and give them the ability to pass laws that satisfy everyone’s needs.” I think this is his strongest argument and a fitting way to end the book.
There is a long reference list at the end but, given the points made about bias in search algorithms, one wonders whether these references can be trusted.
The part I liked the most was the idea of a "Voter Controlled Democracy" as this keeps the responsibility with the voters and thus promotes voting as a positive experience. What I liked least was the middle section where, point by point, Republicans were largely portrayed as blameless whereas Democrats are the cause of all the country’s problems. I felt that the arguments presented in this section were significantly weaker.
This is not really the kind of book one likes or dislikes, but it is well written, the arguments are presented clearly, and I did not notice any obvious errors, indicating that it has been through an edit.
There is one instance of profanity, but it’s in a quote and partially disguised.
The book is suitable for all who are old enough to vote. I believe that every voter in every democracy around the world would find it useful. Although the examples are specific to what is going on in the US now, similar problems exist in many other democracies.
I have no hesitation in awarding four out of four stars.
******
Red Wave Imperative
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Snow Country Lane by Sarah Vail
