Democracy Summit hosts Lee Drutman for conversation on polarization, system reform

Lee Drutman was quoted in the Rocky Mountain Collegian for his keynote at Colorado State University on the current political landscape.

Drutman said the shift in America’s political landscape began in the late 1960s when social issues like race, culture and religion started shaping national party alignments.

“Sixty years ago, America was a two-party system, but both parties contained multitudes,” Drutman said. “This diversity within the parties created this real, fluid pluralism. Today, every single issue of national importance is partisan. Local variety (is) gone.”

Today, parties are complex forces with considerable influence in the political landscape. Drutman highlighted their power and how messaging contributes to political polarization.

“Today’s parties are actually these abstract, floating presences where professional pollsters, messaging gurus and fundraisers call the shots,” Drutman said. “Their primary message (is that) the other side is threatening your very existence. This drives this doom loop.”