As Donald Trump prepares to be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, our latest episode dives into the complexities of the American political landscape, focusing on the deepening divide within the two-party system.
How has the MAGA movement come to dominate republican politics?
What are the mechanisms driving the two-party system?
And ultimately… why is American politics so divided?
Special guest Mike Cowburn, a political scholar whose recent book sheds light on the transformation of party dynamics in the U.S., gives a historical overview of how the Republican and Democratic parties evolved through the mid-20th century, highlighting the ideological shifts that catalyzed the current polarization, and explores the implications of this shift, including how institutional factors like gerrymandering and the Electoral College have reinforced Republican advantages in elections.
We also discuss Mike's new book, which takes a closer look at the primary election system, and how it has fundamentally changed since the early 2000s, becoming more factionalized and ideological.
Finally, this episode contemplates the future of American politics, and whether the entrenched two-party system can adapt to the evolving political landscape, or if it will continue to push voters towards extremes.
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Special guest for this episode:
- Dr. Mike Cowburn, a Postdoctoral Researcher for Digital Democracy at European University Viadrina. His new book Party Transformation in Congressional Primaries is out now
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Highlights from this episode:
- The American political divide is deeply rooted in historical party transformations and societal changes.
- Trump's ability to navigate between establishment politics and populist sentiments illustrates a unique political strategy.
- The primary system in the U.S. significantly influences party polarization and candidate positioning.
- Many Americans are disengaged from politics, viewing it through a non-political lens despite strong values.
- The ideological differences between parties today stem from a historical shift towards extremism.
- Institutional factors and electoral mechanics play a crucial role in maintaining the two-party system.
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Additional Resources:
READ: Party Transformation in Congressional Primaries by Mike Cowburn
WATCH: All Politics Is Tribal | Lee Drutman + Andrew Yang | Forward
READ: How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt
READ: The Party Decides: Presidential Nominations Before and After Reform
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And if you like this episode, you might also love:
What Was the Constitutional Convention?
Why Does the President Only Serve Two Terms?
Is the President Above the Law?
How Are Presidents Elected?
What is the US Constitution?
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