"Why have American policymaking and political institutions weakened? Well, let me offer my one-word explanation for this phenomenon: 'Corruption.'" This book has all the makings of a modern-day thriller: politics, partisanship, kickbacks, fraud, quid pro quos, and, you guessed it-corruption. All based on historical and public events commented on and analyzed by author Steven I. Platt during his long and storied career as a judge and mediator.

From the bowels of politics, corruption, and partisanship, Of Politics and Economics: The School of Hard Knocks & Gentle Persuasion is a well-chosen collection of Judge Platt's significant and timeless writings on the state of politics and its intersection with law and economics. For 13 years, Judge Platt shared his opinion publicly and unapologetically in a popular column published in The Daily Record in Baltimore and in the judge's own blog, "A Pursuit of Justice: The Intersection of Law, Economics, and Politics."

Written by a self-proclaimed "political junkie," who spent more than 20 years feeding the political machine, then another 30 years serving on the Bench of the Maryland Judiciary, Judge Platt has witnessed, presided over, and commented on incidents involving local, state, and federal political figures who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law and societal values.

Contents include:

Chapter 1: Is Politics Corrupt? Stay Tuned to Your Supreme Court Station Chapter 2: Corruption May Explain the Previously Unexplainable Chapter 3: Corruption Precipitates Crisis in Confidence Chapter 4: What's Wrong with Our Broken Political Process? Chapter 5: Loss of Public Trust and Confidence Caused by Corruption Chapter 6: Destructive Partisanship March Can Be Halted Chapter 7: Midnight in Paris for Politicians Chapter 8: Trump-Speak vs. Candidate-Speak Chapter 9: Political Choices Should Be Reality-Based and Checked Chapter 10: Politics as Theater Chapter 11: President of the United States - A Job Description Chapter 12: The Political Art of Holding Your Tongue and Thinking Your Piece Chapter 13: Political Judgment Is Not Science - It's About People Chapter 14: Political Theater Need Not Be Children's Theater Chapter 15: The Act of Governance - What Matters Chapter 16: How Will Candidates Govern? The Most Important Question Not Easily Answered Chapter 17: How Do We Spot Leaders? Chapter 18: The Great Risk Shift Chapter 19: The Politics of the Shift of Economic Risk Chapter 20: Corporate Networks, Power, and Money Precipitate Crisis of the Old Order Chapter 21: Planning for Justice After the Revolution Chapter 22: Responsibility and Accountability in the Criminal Justice System: A Challenge Chapter 23: New Era for International Courts and the United States