The political scene is changing rapidly in America. The religious right is on the defensive, acceptance of gay rights is at an all-time high, social conservatives are struggling for relevance, and more Americans than ever identify as nonreligious. What does this mean for the country and the future? With these demographic shifts, can truly progressive, reason-based public policy finally gain traction? Or, will America continue to carry a reputation as anti-intellectual and plutocratic, eager to cater to large corporate interests but reluctant to provide universal health care to all its citizens? Fighting Back the Right reveals a new alliance in the making, a progressive coalition committed to fighting for rational public policy in America and reversing the damage inflicted by decades of conservative dominance. David Niose, Legal Director of the American Humanist Association (AHA), examines this exciting new dynamic, covering not only the rapidly evolving culture wars but also the twists and turns of American history and politics that led to this point, and why this new alliance could potentially move the country in a direction of sanity, fairness, and human-centered public policy.
"In his direct, clear-eyed analysis, David Niose ably diagnoses America's problem as the demise of human-centered public policy. He then zeroes in on its cause as a toxic combination of anti-intellectualism, religious fundamentalism, corporatism and ineffectual democracy. But he doesn't leave us dangling. Niose provides a way forward and a toolkit for social repair that includes a more vocal and p
Robyn Blumner, Executive Director, Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science
"Fighting Back the Right offers a clear look at the missteps that have allowed fear, religious policies, and greed to overwhelm critical thinking, evidence-based policies, and logic at every level of government. David Niose provides a plan to escape the morass we are in--do we have the will to try?"
