Washminster

Washminster
Washminster

Thursday 10 May 2012

Dysfunctional Politics (1)



“Politics isn’t working” – not exactly an original thought (in fact throughout history it’s a frequently made complaint), but there is a general feeling that something is wrong. And in the four geographical areas covered by this blog, the complaints are frequent and urgent. In the video below, Mann & Ornstein talk about their latest book (which I think is an important and high quality book – and should be read by anyone with an interest in the functioning (or sadly dysfunctioning) of democracy). It’s about Congress – but the disease described can be recognised elsewhere. For example – in France, Hollande was elected last Sunday – before the evening was out a UMP Mayor had expressed her view that he lacked legitimacy. http://www.ouest-france.fr/actu/actuDet_-Une-maire-UMP-demande-l-annulation-de-l-election-presidentielle_39382-2075433_actu.Htm In the British elections turnout again dropped. What is wrong? And what is to be done about it? Washminster will look at this matter in coming posts, in the meantime, this video has some food for thought

America’s Dysfunctional Politics: Why Now? What Can We Do About It?

Archived Webcast:

View more details on Brookings.edu