Our government can often be defined by inefficiency and gridlock. We see big promises but inadequate action on many issues Americans care about, from health care to the environment.

Author and scholar Marc Dunkelman thinks he can explain why. In his new book Why Nothing Works, he makes the case that progressive efforts to constrain authority and make processes more democratic have, in fact, left many parts of our government unresponsive and unable to function, creating a cycle of distrust and disappointment.

This episode is part of a broader conversation seeking to answer this question: What will the next reform movement look like? Listen as Marc explains how we can break through the red tape and better ensure our democracy is able to serve everyone.

Speakers

* Marc Dunkelman: Fellow, Brown University’s Watson School for International and Public Affairs; Senior Fellow, Searchlight Institute; and author of Why Nothing Works

* Michael Waldman, President and CEO, Brennan Center

Recorded on January 26, 2026.

Keep up with the Brennan Center’s work by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, The Briefing, at https://go.brennancenter.org/briefing.

The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brennancenter.substack.com