Over the past generation, the Democratic and Republican parties have each become nationally coordinated political teams. American political institutions, on the other hand, remain highly decentralized. 

In his forthcoming book, Laboratories Against Democracy, Jake Grumbach argues that as Congress has become more gridlocked, national partisan and activist groups have shifted their sights to the state level, nationalizing state politics in the process and transforming state governments into the engines of American policymaking in areas from health care to climate change. He also traces how national groups are using state governmental authority to suppress the vote, gerrymander districts, and erode the very foundations of democracy itself.

Grumbach is an assistant professor of political science at the University of Washington. He was recently granted tenure. Congratulations, Jake! 

Additional Information

Laboratories Against Democracy: How National Parties Transformed State Politics

Grumbach's website

Grumbach on Twitter

Related Episodes

Federalism in uncertain times