Introduction: those fittest for the trust -- Who wants to run? -- A framework for studying elections and ideology -- The electoral preference for moderates -- Polarization and the devaluing of office -- Depolarization and the benefits of office -- Polarization and the costs of running -- Conclusion: who wants to run? in broader context -- Appendix 1: additional results on polarization and who runs -- Appendix 2: estimating the advantage of moderates -- Appendix 3: effects of office benefits on polarization -- Appendix 4: state legislators running for the U.S. House
Summary
Legislative polarization in America is at all-time highs, bringing with it gridlock, brinksmanship, and partisan conflict. How does our political system help create this polarization, and what political reforms might reduce it? This text argues that the growing burdens of political office have helped polarize Congress by discouraging ideologically moderate citizens from becoming candidates. Running for office in the US today is more difficult than ever
