Americas founders were well aware of the dangers inherent in a system of permanent rival factions in thefederalist no 10 arguing for adoption of a new constitution james madison cited complaints everywhere heard that the public good is disregarded in the conflicts of rival parties and that measures are too often decided not according to the rules of justice and the rights of . The parties versus the people how to turn republicans and democrats into americans mickey edwards yale university press jan 1 2012 political science 208 pages 2 reviews americas political system is dysfunctional while this is a widely held view it is a problem that so far has proved intractable after every election voters discover yet again that political leaders are . Americas political system is dysfunctional while this is a widely held view it is a problem that so far has proved intractable after every election voters discover yet again that political leaders are simply quarreling in a never ending battle between the two warring tribes the republicans and democrats. The parties versus the people how to turn republicans and democrats into americans edwards mickey on amazoncom free shipping on qualifying offers the parties versus the people how to turn republicans and democrats into americans. The parties versus the people how to turn republicans and democrats into americansfeaturing mickey edwards vice president of the aspen institute mr edwards was a member of congress for 16 years and later taught at harvard and princeton before joining the aspen institute where he directs the institutes rodel fellowships for elected public officials