Hopelessly divided : the new crisis in American politics and what it means for 2012 and beyond / Douglas E. Schoen.

Includes index.

Analyzes the widening gap between politicians, including lobbyists and consultants, and the American mainstream, and discusses the rise in populist movements that threatens to drive the two-party system to its collapse.

Introduction -- America on the brink -- The mainstream/political class divide -- The divide: a data portrait -- The great divide and the populist upsurge -- Left populism: principles and resurgence -- Hopes dashed: Obama and the left -- Right-wing populism: principles and resurgence -- George W. Bush and the right-wing implosion -- Independent voters: angry, volatile, and growing -- The power of money -- The K Street effect: how lobbyists have saturated public policy -- Redistricting, race, and the political class -- Conclusion: reform or fail.

Includes bibliographical references and index.