How to Depolarize American Politics

Political pins divided between left and right.

Edward B. Foley and Eric S. Maskin propose a "top-three" electoral system to mitigate polarization and enhance democratic representation. In this system, all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, compete in a single primary election. The top three vote-getters then advance to the general election, where voters rank these candidates in order of preference. This approach aims to encourage candidates to appeal to a broader spectrum of voters, reduce partisan divisions, and provide a more accurate reflection of the electorate's preferences. By implementing such a system, Foley and Maskin argue that the political landscape would become more inclusive, offering voters a wider array of choices and fostering a healthier democratic process.

Read the full article at Project Syndicate.