Conclusion

Conclusion

Description

Addressing the toxic tribalism and political extremism that has arisen in recent decades requires action along many fronts. One of these is the institutional framework within which democratic politics and elections take place. This volume has brought together a highly distinguished group of academics from several disciplines who have spent much of their careers studying how the design of democratic processes shapes politics and the political culture more generally. Our task force also includes lawyers and others with substantial experience with the political process. We do not believe there is a single institutional-design reform, or even a series of reforms, that could magically transform our political culture. But institutional reforms can matter at the margins in combatting political extremism, and those margins can make a significant difference in the kind of politics we experience and the larger political culture we inhabit. The institutional framework within which politics and elections take place creates incentive structures that shape which candidates decide to run, which are likely to win, and the relationship between political parties, candidates, officeholders, interest groups, and the general public. Moreover, because many citizens take political cues from those who hold public office, particularly the most visible public officials, the types of candidates who succeed also shape the larger political culture.

First Page

297

Source Publication

Electoral Reform in the United States: Proposals for Combating Polarization and Extremism

Source Editors/Authors

Larry Diamond, Edward B. Foley, Richard H. Pildes

Publication Date

12-5-2024

Publisher

Lynne Rienner Publishers

Conclusion

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