The Democracy Amendments : Constitutional Reforms to Save the United States

A vicious spiral of political polarisation, failing government, loss of public faith, and conspiracy-mongers undermining US elections, are pushing the country toward the abyss of political violence. Only deep constitutional change, brought about by a new national convention, can free us from this mess. A sane, comprehensive solution is called for to treat the malaise affecting our body politic. This rescue plan will require a new national convention.

The institutional fabric of our nation is afflicted by divisive politics. Trust in Congress and the Supreme Court has reached new lows, and a tsunami of misinformation and vote suppression is causing many Americans to lose faith in the electoral process itself. These problems can no longer be solved simply by winning elections: gridlock in both the Senate and House, together with judicial vetoes, block most legal reforms for which majorities of Americans vote. Constitutional amendments are the only way out that can restore our government’s capacity to solve problems and rebuild faith among citizens that they can actively participate in effective democratic processes. This book sets out a moderate, centrist agenda to achieve this goal, setting out the problems and solutions in clear language accessible to non-experts. Steering clear of the sharp political divides, Davenport describes 25 procedural amendments that a majority of Americans can consider to fix the deepest flaws in our constitutional design. He also argues that a new national convention called by the states offers the best chance to break the logjam and restore the politics of effective compromise.