

Democracy in crisis, part 2: The two-party problem
12 snips Feb 10, 2022
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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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.
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.
Rationalizing Party Behavior
- Strong party identities lead to rationalizing problematic party actions.
- This rationalization involves justifying the party's behavior and demonizing the opposition.