As America’s political parties have been increasingly captured by their ideological extremes in recent decades, the space for cross-party coalition building has shrunk. Some reformers argue that only third parties can help, but this solution has never been realistic in our system. A more practical way forward would require would-be coalition builders to participate more vigorously in party politics, getting their hands dirty in organized faction building. Guest Steven Teles joins us to discuss the prospects for each party’s factions in the aftermath of the 2020 election, and whether stronger factions could lead to a more moderate and deliberative politics.

Steven Teles is a professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University and a senior fellow at the Niskanen Center. He is also the co-author, along with Robert Saldin, of the book Never Trump: The Revolt of the Conservative Elites.  

This podcast discusses themes from Steve and Rob’s essay in the Fall 2020 issue of National Affairs, “The Future is Faction.”