Strengthening American Democracy

John R. Baker is Professor of Political Science at Wittenberg University. He has written and edited several books on American politics, including Government in the Twilight Zone: Volunteers to Small-City Boards and Commissions and Readings on American Subnational Government.

PrefacePart I: Democratic Deconsolidation and American Democracy

Is American Democracy at Death's Door?
Strong Institutions
Shared Stories
Progress is Progressive
But, it's a "Republic'' is No Excuse for Anti-Democratic Action and Illiberal Resistance
A Word About Mechanisms of Reform-Constitutional Amendments v. Other Options

Part II: America's Democratic Aspirations Under Stress

1. Still Believe in the American Dream?
2. Voting Rights-The Fundamental Basis of Our Democracy--Are Under Siege
3. Confirmation Bias Hurts Our Democracy
4. Facts Matter, But Do They Speak for Themselves?
5. Incivility in American Politics
6. America's Ideological Polarization Affects More Than Our Politics
7. Changes in Trust Hurting Democracy
8. Truth in Politics Can Be Rare, But Critical to Democracy
9. Getting Along in an Era of Negative Partisanship
10. The Fallacy of Absolute Freedom
11. Taking Stock of the Power of the People

Part III: Reforming Institutions

12. Looking at the Health of our Two-Party System
13. Reform or Eliminate the Electoral College
14. Gap in What Voters Want and What Politicians Do
15. American Federalism-Blessing and Curse
16. The People's House is Too Small
17. Let's Consider Pros and Cons of Congressional Term Limits
18. Is American Democracy is Being Filibustered to Death?
19. Should We Reform the Senate to Make Congress More Responsive to the People?
20. Passing on the Power of Appointments: Reforming the Broken Administrative Appointment-Confirmation Process
21. Executive Clemency Part of Justice Reform
22. The (Un)Supreme Court: Time to Reform?
23. Bureaucracy Has Vital Constitutive Role in American Democracy; Citizens Can Help Shape Its Power
24. Weakened Government is the Problem
25. Local Government in the Twilight Zone

Part IV: Reforming Democratic Processes and Procedures

26. Protests Are Necessary, but Insufficient, for Lasting Political Change
27. Should We Consider Mandatory Voting?
28. All Hail the Faithless Elector(s) from Texas! (Well, Maybe Not)
29. Improving the Presidential Nominating Process
30. Both Parties Should Embrace Changes to the Presidential Primary Schedule
31. How a Close Presidential Election Could Trigger a Constitutional Crisis
32. Fix Partisan Gerrymandering to Reduce Gridlock and Extremism
33. Freedom Caucus Shows Corrosive Effects of Gerrymandering
34. Direct Democracy Has Its Challenges, But Remains a Key Mechanism for Change
35. If Corporations Are People, Tell Us Who They Are
36. Government Nudges Influence Conduct, So Should They Be Used More Often?
37. Lawmakers Stoke Distrust to Justify Voting Restrictions
38. Overcoming 'Political Hobbyism' Through Activism

Part V: How America Survives: Reflection, Action, and Reform

39. Good Citizenship-What Does it Mean to You?
40. Can America's Center Be Rebuilt?
41. Independents and the Value of Political Talk
42. To Strengthen Democracy, Start Small, Think Big
43. Does Our Democracy Measure Up?
44. Can We Americans Overcome Ourselves?
45. We the People: How America Survives
46. Being Gardeners of Our Communities

Conclusion: There is Work to Do-Together