Steven W. Webster is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Indiana University. His research interests include voter behavior, public opinion, and American elections.
'In American Rage, Webster cogently shows both the potential benefits of anger for democracy - anger gets people interested and involved in politics - but also the real costs, such as lower trust in government. By looking at how generalized anger toward the political system and out-partisans can maintain and deepen polarization, the book is a welcome addition to the literature on polarization and emotions.' Shana Gadarian, Syracuse University 'American Rage is an important read for anyone interested in understanding Americans' disdain for government and political adversaries. Using a rich array of data, Webster convincingly demonstrates that the political consequences of anger are severe from decreasing people's trust in government to weakening their commitment to democratic norms.' Antoine Banks, University of Maryland