It's Not as Bad as You Think

In the heat of our contentious election season, rife with frayed alliances and scandalous videos, a historical perspective can be reassuring. Fortunately Margaret O’Mara, associate professor of history, offers that perspective. O’Mara has studied dozens of US Presidential elections and featured four particularly influential ones in her book Pivotal Tuesdays: Four Elections That Shaped the Twentieth Century. “Studying political history, having a really long view, helps put what’s happening right now in context,” says O’Mara, who agreed to share some insights with Perspectives readers.

Donald Trump calls...