Title Whither America? : a Strategy for Repairing America's Political Culture / John Raidt, Foreword by Ellen O. Tauscher

Published Washington, D.C. : Atlantic Council, [2017] ©2017

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Description 1 online resource (47 pages) : color illustrations, color photographs Series Atlantic Council Strategy papers Contents FOREWORD I EXECUTIVE SUMMARY2 WHITHER AMERICA?10 CASUALTY OF VIRTUES12 MERCENARY ELECTION INDUSTRY17 NEVER-ENDING AND DIRTY CAMPAIGNS21 CORROSIVE BIG MONEY 24 DYSFUNCTIONAL STRUCTURE33 SLANTED AND SELF-SERVING MEDIA 48 TECHNOLOGY'S ROLE IN POLITICAL DECAY 56 CULTURAL DEGRADATION66 CONCLUSION72 ABOUT THE AUTHOR74 APPENDIX 76 ENDNOTES78 ATLANTIC COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS 89 Summary The United States faces threats from outside its borders, but also from within. While domestic issues including healthcare, immigration, and tax reform occupy the media, a more sinister threat exists underfoot. The political system that once created a strong, prosperous, and united nation now sows division. Election campaigns are now a lucrative industry for the wealthy and well-connected, while the elections have lost substance in favor of showmanship. Politicians are more consumed with their own re-election rather than looking after the interests of their constituents. Media organizations have become both enablers and promoters of America's bad habit of treating politics as a reality show. Technology has created partisan echo chambers and undermined our ability to achieve political consensus. Without a United States strong to its core, its interests in the world will suffer. Our partners around the world see how America has lost its bearings within the changing world order. In this Atlantic Council Strategy Paper, John Raidt diagnoses the myriad problems from the inside, having worked in the corridors of power on Capitol Hill and the executive branch. He highlights how difficult it is to reform the political system. His analogy--a system of gears grinding to crush the spirit of democracy--is a fitting visual for the complex interactions that benefit those at the center of power even while public regard for US institutions decline. Raidt indicts both Republicans and Democrats for failing to govern effectively and fairly. Dissecting the issues with personal anecdotes of government's dysfunction gathered during his extensive career, Raidt's paper provides decision makers with concrete proposals to rejuve-nate our political system. In supporting this paper, the Atlantic Council recognizes that a successful foreign policy requires a strong body politic inside the country. Today's dysfunction is not only reflected in increasing political logjams over domestic problems like healthcare, but also Congress' and the executive's inability to craft a cross-party consensus in key foreign policy areas. Often the United States forgets that one of the pillars of our legitimacy abroad is our ability to function as a healthy demo-cratic system at home. As domestic dysfunction undermines our ability to operate properly, the United States loses legitimacy in the eyes of allies and, more alarm-ingly, adversaries. Whither This paper reminds us that democracy worldwide is being tested. If we fail at home, how can we call for other nations to become or remain democratic? Adhering to these principles through trying times is what has made America an unrivaled model and a formidable opponent in the past. Raidt reminds us that we need not accept the current political climate as is. Though it will take courage and the will to move beyond political expediency to rehabilitate the US political system, it is vital to persevere, bolstering the United States as it faces the growing uncertainties ahead. If not, we face the ultimate question: whither America? Notes "Atlantic Council Strategy papers, n. 13, 2017"--Table of contents page Bibliography Includes bibliographical references Notes Online resource; title from PDF title page (Atlantic Council, viewed December, 13, 2017) Subject Media -- United States Culture Technology -- United States Culture. Politics and government. Technology. SUBJECT United States -- Politics and government. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85140410 Subject United States. Form Electronic book Author Tauscher, Ellen O. Raidt, John Atlantic Council of the United States. Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, publisher, issuing body. ISBN 9781619774650 1619774658

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