Category Archives: political polarization

Drake Law Review Symposium on Political Dysfunction and Constitutional Change

November 8, 2013, 3:08 pmlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

This was a truly great symposium and discussion, now in print. Drake Law Review Volume 61, No. 4, Summer 2013 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW SYMPOSIUM The U.S. Constitution and Political Dysfunction: Is There a Connection? ARTICLES Dedication to Congressman Neal Smith David… Continue reading

“GOP Super PACs Gear Up to Fight Tea Party”

November 8, 2013, 2:11 pmcampaign finance, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

Politico reports.

Notre Dame Law Review Symposium on Gridlock

November 8, 2013, 2:10 pmlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

Check it out: 2012-2013: The American Congress: Legal Implications of Gridlock, Symposium Symposium The Phenomenology of Gridlock Josh Chafetz, 88 Notre Dame L. Rev 2065 View PDF The Court-Packing Plan as Symptom, Casualty, and Cause of Gridlock Barry Cushman, 88… Continue reading

BU Conference on Political Polarization

November 7, 2013, 9:44 ampolitical polarizationRick Hasen

Details via Jack Balkin. I am awaiting the Drake Law Review symposium on the same topic to post soon. You can now read the final version of my contribution to that symposium, Political Dysfunction and Constitutional Change.

Bauer on Nocera and Nagourney on Political Reform

November 6, 2013, 8:02 ampolitical parties, political polarization, primariesRick Hasen

Here.

“The Supreme Court’s Docket Addresses the Washington Gridlock”

November 5, 2013, 7:34 ampolitical polarizationRick Hasen

Pam Karlan writes for the Boston Review.

“Change Voting Laws Before Constitution”

November 1, 2013, 7:31 amalternative voting systems, legislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

Rob Richie and Devin McCarthy have written this Fresno Bee oped.

“A Primary Cause of Partisanship? Nomination Systems and Legislator Ideology”

October 31, 2013, 3:57 pmlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarization, primariesRick Hasen

McGhee, Masket, Shor, Rogers and McCarty have written this article for AJPS. Here is the abstract: Many theoretical and empirical accounts of representation argue that primary elections are a polarizing influence. Likewise, many reformers advocate opening party nominations to nonmembers… Continue reading

“Democrats: It’s the states, stupid (Part 2)”

October 30, 2013, 8:10 ampolitical parties, political polarization, redistrictingRick Hasen

Herman Schwartz writes for Reuters Opinion.

“The political middle is dying. But it’s not redistricting’s fault.”

October 29, 2013, 7:39 pmpolitical parties, political polarization, redistrictingRick Hasen

The Fix with some great illustrations from Alan Abramowitz.

“Post-Partisan: Fixing our ideological divide”

October 28, 2013, 8:30 ampolitical polarization, redistrictingRick Hasen

Jonathan Soros: “As Americans examine the astounding dysfunction of their government, gerrymandering is usually cited as the prime culprit. This narrative offers a compelling villain: venal politicians who draw district boundaries for partisan advantage or to protect their own… Continue reading

“This Voting Reform Could Save the Republican Party from Itself”

October 20, 2013, 4:33 pmcampaigns, political parties, political polarization, primariesRick Hasen

Reihan Salam: Rather than an outright divorce, Republicans ought to consider a different approach. Right now, Tea Party activists are pledging to launch a new round of primary challenges against Republicans deemed “squishy.” The big problem with primary elections,… Continue reading

About FairVote’s “Crossover Districts”….

October 19, 2013, 4:02 pmpolitical parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

A reader from Texas writes: Fair Vote cites 116 “crossover” representatives in 1992 representing 27% of the House. To the extent that figure represents some sort of idealistic “good ol’ days” for Congress, it is terribly misleading. The overwhelming reason… Continue reading