Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop

Please join the Political Reform program on Wednesday, January 8th for a discussion and reception to celebrate the release of Lee Drutman’s new book, Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America.

American democracy is in deep crisis. After years of zero-sum partisan trench warfare, our political institutions are deteriorating. Our norms are collapsing. Democrats and Republicans no longer merely argue; they cut off contact with each other. In short, the two-party system is breaking our democracy, and driving us all crazy. What can we do about it?

Weaving together history, democratic theory, and cutting-edge political science research, Lee Drutman’s Breaking the Two Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America tells the story of how American politics became so toxic, and makes a case for how to fix it. As Lee argues, the way to move past the crippling division and dysfunction—to escape the doom loop of escalating two-party warfare—is through large-scale electoral reform that would allow for multiparty representation. This type of reform would not require a constitutional amendment, and would make our democracy more representative, more responsive, and ultimately, more stable.

Registration begins at 5:30 PM ; the discussion begins promptly at 6:00 PM. Reception to follow.

Speakers:

Lee Drutman, @leedrutman
Senior Fellow, Political Reform Program, New America
Author, Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America

Anne-Marie Slaughter, @SlaughterAM
CEO, New America

Books will be available for purchase after the event.