Mugambi Jouet’s new book examines how the growing dark side of “American exceptionalism” has driven the polarization of U.S. politics.

The Iowa Caucus is finally in the books, and hundreds of reporters are saying adios to the heartland. I said my own goodbye to Iowa a little more than a year ago, when I packed up my old Cadillac and drove the 1,864 miles to San Jose. Looking at the results from Tuesday night, when Mitt Romney edged out Rick Santorum by a mere eight votes and Ron Paul made his presence felt, I’m left thinking two things: One, no one benefited more than Romney from the suspension of Cain’s campaign, which dispersed those tea party voters; and two, Santorum’s support will likely fade the further he gets from Iowa.