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