NEW BOOK

 
 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Amid political polarization, are there practical steps to combat extremism that are acceptable across the political spectrum? In Electoral Reform in the United States: Proposals for Combating Polarization and Extremism, the Task Force on Institutional Reforms to Combat Political Extremism offers ideas for reforming key aspects of the US electoral process. Starting from the premise that the way our political processes are designed incentivizes certain political styles and candidates, the task force addresses distortions in electoral procedures that have enabled political extremism among officeholders to be overrepresented.

 

BOOK LAUNCH - december 10TH

Don’t miss the launch event on December 10th.

Join us for a conversation with the task force’s American politics and law scholars on reform strategies for reducing polarization, enhancing democratic responsiveness, and addressing the challenges facing American democracy.

 

  • In the midst of the political ugliness that has become part of our everyday reality, are there steps that can be taken to counter polarization and extremism―practical steps that are acceptable across the political spectrum? To answer that question, starting from the premise that the way our political processes are designed inevitably creates incentives for certain styles of politics and candidates, the Task Force on American Electoral Reform spent two years exploring alternative ideas for reforming key aspects of the US electoral process. The results of their work are presented in this essential book.

    • The Electoral Reform Imperative―the Editors.

    • Ballot Structures―E.B. Foley.

    • Proportional Representation―L. Drutman.

    • Why Proportional Representation Could Make Things Worse―R.H. Pildes

    • Primary Elections―R.G. Boatright

    • Presidential Nominations―R.H. Pildes and F. Lee.

    • Campaign Finance―R. La Raja.

    • Conclusion―the Editors.

  • January 25, 2025


 
 

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

 

“This volume is a treasure trove of ideas about how to make our electoral system better―less polarized, more responsive to citizens. In it, big thinkers discuss big ideas. Their analyses are rich, detailed, and incisive. This might very well turn out to be the book that launches a thousand reforms.”

― Costas Panagopoulos, Northeastern University

“At this time when distrust and partisanship are too often justifications for the status quo, the authors offer evidence-based, consensus-driven, achievable proposals to improve governance in the United States. Anyone interested in reforming US democracy should start here.”

―Derek T. Muller, Notre Dame Law School