In recent decades, US politics has become increasingly fraught and divided. This book evaluates the current state of American democracy, centered on the theme of polarization and dysfunction, through key policy, behavioral, and institutional issues. These dynamics and debates include increasing partisanship, declining public trust in institutions, the nationalization of politics, politicization of media and the Courts, outside interests' influence in Congress, election administration, and more. Authored by an expert group of contributors working at the cutting edge of political science research, this volume provides in-depth analysis of the causes, mechanisms, and consequences of these problems, and offers possible solutions to them.
