Can American Government be Fixed??

4/14: Given the events of the past six weeks it would be important to examine the war in Ukraine and the changes it has wrought not only on the international system but the relative non-impact on domestic politics, President Biden’s approval ratings, and the tangle it has created for the Trump wing of the Republican Party.  What effects has the war had on the political institutions considered in our remaining two classes?

 

4/21 & 4/28: The polarization of American politics, and the incapacity to address major societal, economic and climate issues, has raised significant questions about the reform of American institutions. We will examine suggested reforms in elections, the courts, the Presidency and other institutions.  Some bold ideas, some easily possible, some very unlikely, will be considered and their ability to unlock the stasis of American politics.