As William Chaloupka points out in his thoughtful new book, Everybody Knows, it has become common knowledge that America is saddled with cynicism. Chaloupka is not content simply to encourage more faith and hope for cynical Americans because he recognizes that cynicism is, and always has been, complicated. What can be done about cynicism in American society, particularly in our political culture? Chaloupka advances smart solutions, including campaign finance reform and more pointedly intelligent criticism of the news media. He concludes Everybody Knows with the suggestion that the overarching solution to cynicism is ‘lively, contentious, serious, honest, smart public struggle over issues that matter—in short, more, but better, politics.

A provocative study of political cynicism and pessimism.

“Chaloupka, in his careful scrutiny of the cynicism that he sees as normatively American, examines its uses both in the politics of resentment and in its more indubitable aspects. . . . Cynicism is a superior tool for instrumenting social change, which Chaloupka believes can and should be wielded with greater discretion by those producing our cultural goods.” New Art Examiner

“Lively. . . How, William Chaloupka asks, can we recover from the collective insult that their [Nixon, Clinton, Gingrich] patently cynical behavior has forced on us?” Washington Post

“In Everybody Knows, University of Montana political scientist William Chaloupka argues that cynicism rules American politics and culture. In response to the cynicism of the elites and their self-serving calls for more ‘civility’ in public life, Chaloupka champions a tradition of ‘activist cynics.’” Lingua Franca

“‘Cynicism is a way of life against belief or after its exhaustion,’ Chaloupka observes in this maddening treat of a book, adding that good reasons for cynicism go far beyond individual incidents (such as Watergate or Whitewater) to structural and systemic causes.” Publishers Weekly

“As Chaloupka argues in his book, Everybody Knows, the American system of government practically requires a degree of cynicism to function. Congress could not operate, could not broker deals, if our representatives didn’t shade the truth, didn’t abandon bills dear to their constituents to finagle some advantage on another bill. What is noteworthy about Everybody Knows is

For the believers in various shining futures, this book will help you to understand those who don’t believe.

A very timely book. In addition to probing and disentangling the meanings of cynicism, the author has explored some of its roots in American political philosophy. The points that Chaloupka makes are thought-provoking. Chaloupka’s text is instructive and well worth reading.