Our national legislative agenda hinges on any one Senator’s vote or abstention or last minute demand… A few months into term and the majority of U.S. House Members already anticipate their next primary battle… Meanwhile, bridges crumble, the border crisis deepens, and gun carnage continues unabated… Might be time to take a fresh look at our political gridlock. 

This episode’s featured guest, Katherine Gehl (co-author of The Politics Industry) provides a sorely needed new perspective on our two-party duopoly. Applying the “five forces” strategic analysis of her co-author, renowned HBS Professor Michael Porter, Katherine describes her “eureka” moment of recognition: politics industry “suppliers” (meaning, politicians) have so much power while “consumers” (we, the voters) have so very little.   

How do we unshackle from politics industry gridlock? Katherine’s plan for Final Five voting is the designated first step in changing the incentive structure of politics-as-usual. Combining the benefits of open primaries with ranked choice voting, Final Five voting reduces the polarizing effects of primaries and eliminates the spoiler effect that locks in our two party duopoly. 

For a master-class in politics industry reform, tune into “The Politics Industry at Work: And How Would You Like Your Gridlock?” Featuring Katherine Gehl, Founder of the Institute for Political Innovation and co-author of The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy (HBR Press, 2020).

Original music by Ryan Adair Rooney

Check out our website for show notes, transcripts, and more: https://fluentknowledge.com/shows/the-purple-principle/the-politics-industry

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Show Notes:

Katherine M. Gehl & Michael Porter (2020). The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy. Harvard Business School Press.

The Institute for Political Innovation

Katherine M. Gehl & Michael Porter (2020). “Fixing U.S. Politics: What business can—and must—do to revitalize democracy.” The Harvard Business Review.

“The Progressive Era: 1895-1925.” The Wisconsin Historical Society.

“President Theodore Roosevelt.” The Miller Center.

Michael Porter (1979). “How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy.” The Harvard Business Review.

Party Affiliation: Gallup Historical Trends. Gallup Polls.

A.B. Stoddard (4/19/21). “Can 'Final Five Voting' Cure Our Sick Politics?” Real Clear Politics. 

Mickey Edwards. Library of Congress.

Mickey Edwards (1/13/21). “A Republican Journey.” The Bulwark. 

Mickey Edwards (2013). The Parties Versus the People: How to Turn Republicans and Democrats Into Americans. Yale University Press.

“The Spoiler Effect.” The Center for Election Science. 

The Bridge Alliance

National Association of Nonpartisan Reformers