You Won-Now What?
How Americans Can Make Democracy Work
From City Hall to the White House
In analyzing the problems with American democracy - weak campaign finance laws, negative political advertisements, corruption - one significant fact gets ignored: Americans hand their government over to novices after each election. Most new public officials simply do not know how to govern once put in office. In their new book, You Won-Now What?, Taegan D. Goddard and Christopher Riback argue that instead of reinventing government or adopting the latest management fad, new public officials must learn how to succeed in a world unlike any other. Goddard and Riback discredit the popular idea that government should be run like a business and identify the eight traits of effective governing. From motivating career bureaucrats to turning inevitable crises into political opportunity, the authors present specific tips to help new public officials govern better and help citizens understand what to demand and expect from the politicians we choose. -Now What? has been praised by some of the country's most respected elected officials and journalists, including John G. Rowland, Governor of Connecticut: "Goddard and Riback bring a fresh voice to explaining how government works--and sometimes doesn't. With energy and enthusiasm, they uncover the often overlooked problems with American democracy, and more importantly, provide creative solutions. Their book should be on the reading list of anyone concerned about government's condition today."
From IPA Report, Spring 1998
Taegan D. Goddard, IPA's Treasurer and a member of the Board of Trustees, has served as a policy advisor to a U.S. Senator, Governor, and State Treasurer. Christopher Riback has worked as an investigative journalist for 60 Minutes, ABC News, and the Associated Press.
For more information about -Now What?, its authors, and additional book reviews from public officials and journalists, please visit on-line at http://YouWon-NowWhat.com, where you may purchase -Now What? at a discount. -Now What? was published by Simon and Schuster's Scribner imprint in March 1998.