Ironically, many “reforms” that aim to make the political system more accountable and responsive have had the opposite effect. The United States is awash in new conflicts that the political system has struggled to contain. What’s omitted is the capacity of government and the political system to deal with new conflicts. The new political system favors ideological extremes. A partial list would include: income inequality; globalization — trade and its impact on jobs and wages; resentment of “elites” in both parties; immigration and its alleged threat to traditional American values.

Source: Washington Post July 03, 2016 23:15 UTC