Lee Drutman, a senior fellow at the New America Think Tank and author of 'Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop,' delves into America's two-party system crisis. He discusses the historical evolution of this system and its role in escalating political polarization. Drutman advocates for radical electoral reforms, including ranked choice voting, drawing inspiration from successful models abroad. With an urgent emphasis on the need for inclusivity and coalition-building, he explores innovative paths to preserve democracy and mitigate authoritarian risks.
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insights INSIGHT
Two-Party System and Polarization
The current two-party system, intensified by geographic and cultural sorting, creates instability.
This sorting, along racial and urban-rural lines, fuels extreme views and intolerance.
insights INSIGHT
Party Identity vs. Democratic Norms
Party identity outweighs democratic norms for many voters.
Voters prioritize their party's stance on key issues over actions that violate democratic principles.
insights INSIGHT
Rationalizing Party Behavior
Strong party identities lead to rationalizing problematic party actions.
This rationalization involves justifying the party's behavior and demonizing the opposition.
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The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
Katy Milkman
In this ground-breaking book, Katy Milkman reveals a proven path to help readers move from where they are to where they want to be. Drawing on her original research and the work of her world-renowned scientific collaborators, Milkman shares strategic methods for identifying and overcoming common barriers to change, such as impulsivity, procrastination, and forgetfulness. The book offers innovative approaches like 'temptation bundling,' using timely reminders, and creating 'set-it-and-forget-it systems' to make change more achievable. It emphasizes the importance of tailoring solutions to specific roadblocks and using science to stack the deck in favor of successful change.
Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop
Lee Drutman
Lee Drutman's "Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop" delves into the structural and historical factors contributing to the dominance of the two-party system in the United States. The book argues that this system hinders effective governance and representation, leading to political gridlock and voter dissatisfaction. Drutman proposes alternative models of multi-party democracy, advocating for electoral reforms that would foster greater competition and inclusivity. He explores the potential benefits of such reforms, including increased voter engagement and a more responsive political system. The book challenges readers to reconsider the conventional wisdom surrounding the two-party system and envision a more representative and functional democracy.
Just how worried should we be about the future of American democracy? This is the question at the center of a two-part series from Vox Conversations and host Zack Beauchamp.
For part two, Zack talks with political scientist Lee Drutman, author of Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop. They discuss the history of the two-party system in American politics, and examine a number of possible structural reforms that could work to get the U.S. out of the morass it's in, looking to several other countries' democracies for inspiration.
And, if you missed it, check out part one in this series, a lively debate between Zack and the New York Times's Ross Douthat, on just how close we are to political violence, authoritarianism, and democratic breakdown.
The Gray Area with Sean Illing 
