Political Dynamism

Lee Drutman

A new approach to making government work again

Some problems

A new reform approach

What’s wrong with the old reform approach?

“The Washington cartel is an alliance of career politicians in both parties and the lobbyists in this town”

“Returning to a government of, by, and for the people – not the billionaires and giant corporations.”

Policy entrepreneurs

How to make politics dynamic again

Congressional Elections• Open up campaigns by empowering small

donors• Expand competition and party diversity

through multi-member districts

Interest Groups• Expand general-interest lobbying

organizations

Congressional staffing• Increase staff sizes and salaries in Congress

Congressional organization• Decentralize power in Congress by expanding the role of committees and

subcommittees

Congressional Elections• Open up campaigns by empowering small

donors• Expand competition and party diversity

through multi-member districts

Interest Groups• Expand general-interest lobbying

organizations

Congressional staffing• Increase staff sizes and salaries in Congress

Congressional organization• Decentralize power in Congress by expanding the role of committees and

subcommittees

Congressional Elections• Open up campaigns by empowering small

donors• Expand competition and party diversity

through multi-member districts

Interest Groups• Expand general-interest lobbying

organizations

Congressional staffing• Increase staff sizes and salaries in Congress

Congressional organization• Decentralize power in Congress by expanding the role of committees and

subcommittees

Congressional Elections• Open up campaigns by empowering small

donors• Expand competition and party diversity

through multi-member districts

Interest Groups• Expand general-interest lobbying

organizations

Congressional staffing• Increase staff sizes and salaries in Congress

Congressional organization• Decentralize power in Congress by expanding the role of committees and

subcommittees

Congressional Elections• Open up campaigns by empowering small

donors• Expand competition and party diversity

through multi-member districts

Interest Groups• Expand general-interest lobbying

organizations

Congressional staffing• Increase staff sizes and salaries in Congress

Congressional organization• Decentralize power in Congress by expanding the role of committees and

subcommittees

Congressional Elections• Open up campaigns by empowering small

donors• Expand competition and party diversity

through multi-member districts

Interest Groups• Expand general-interest lobbying

organizations

Congressional staffing• Increase staff sizes and salaries in Congress

Congressional organization• Decentralize power in Congress by expanding the role of committees and

subcommittees

Congressional Elections

Small donor matching

Multi-member districts

Congressional Elections• Open up campaigns by empowering small

donors• Expand competition and party diversity

through multi-member districts

Interest Groups• Expand general-interest lobbying

organizations

Congressional staffing• Increase staff sizes and salaries in Congress

Congressional organization• Decentralize power in Congress by expanding the role of committees and

subcommittees

Interest Groups

Leveling up

Congressional Elections• Open up campaigns by empowering small

donors• Expand competition and party diversity

through multi-member districts

Interest Groups• Expand general-interest lobbying

organizations

Congressional staffing• Increase staff sizes and salaries in Congress

Congressional organization• Decentralize power in Congress by expanding the role of committees and

subcommittees

Congressional Staff

More and more highly-paid staff

Congressional Elections• Open up campaigns by empowering small

donors• Expand competition and party diversity

through multi-member districts

Interest Groups• Expand general-interest lobbying

organizations

Congressional staffing• Increase staff sizes and salaries in Congress

Congressional organization• Decentralize power in Congress by expanding the role of committees and

subcommittees

Congressional Organization

Let committees and subcommittees thrive

Congressional Elections• Open up campaigns by empowering small

donors• Expand competition and party diversity

through multi-member districts

Interest Groups• Expand general-interest lobbying

organizations

Congressional staffing• Increase staff sizes and salaries in Congress

Congressional organization• Decentralize power in Congress by expanding the role of committees and

subcommittees

Congressional Elections• Open up campaigns by empowering small

donors• Expand competition and party diversity

through multi-member districts

Interest Groups• Expand general-interest lobbying

organizations

Congressional staffing• Increase staff sizes and salaries in Congress

Congressional organization• Decentralize power in Congress by expanding the role of committees and

subcommittees

But is this feasible?

Political Dynamism

Political Dynamism

Lee Drutman

A new approach to making government work again