Paths to Depolarization

{
  "authors": [
    "Francis Fukuyama"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [
    "U.S. Democracy in Comparative Perspective"
  ],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "democracy",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "DCG",
  "programs": [
    "Democracy, Conflict, and Governance"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Democracy"
  ]
}

In The Media

Paths to Depolarization

Polarization—the sharp division of American society between red and blue—is the single greatest weakness of the United States as a country today.

By Francis Fukuyama

Published on Aug 3, 2022

Persuasion

About the Author

Francis Fukuyama

Former Nonresident Scholar, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Francis Fukuyama was a nonresident scholar in Carnegie’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, where his research focuses on democratization and international political economy.

Political Reform Democracy

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Leaving Russian-Speakers Without Representation Is a Risk for Latvia
If the Russian-speaking community in Latvia cannot articulate their interests without being seen as disloyal, they could end up embracing a pro-Kremlin agenda.
Sergejs Potapkins
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Putin Has Been a Hindrance, Not a Help, to United Russia’s Election Campaign
Russia’s ruling party would have benefited from Putin appearing as its distant patron, but as an active frontman imposing his views on the public, he has done nothing but harm both the party’s election campaign and the ruling system overall.
Andrey Pertsev
Article
How Is Hungary’s New Government Doing?
Despite myriad challenges and occasional stumbles, the new Hungarian government is moving ahead with energy and conviction to uproot years of illiberalism and corruption and rebuild Hungarian democracy.
Thomas Carothers
Article
How Europe’s 2027 Elections Could Test EU Governance
Radical-right parties are expected to do well in upcoming elections in four of the EU's biggest member states. If successful, they could prevent the union from addressing key challenges ahead.
Stefan Lehne
Paper
America Walks Away from Global Democracy
By abandoning past U.S. pro-democracy policies and adopting several lines of pro-autocratic action, the Trump administration has fundamentally repositioned the United States vis-à-vis democracy in the world.
Thomas Carothers

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Leaving Russian-Speakers Without Representation Is a Risk for Latvia

If the Russian-speaking community in Latvia cannot articulate their interests without being seen as disloyal, they could end up embracing a pro-Kremlin agenda.

Sergejs Potapkins

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Putin Has Been a Hindrance, Not a Help, to United Russia’s Election Campaign

Russia’s ruling party would have benefited from Putin appearing as its distant patron, but as an active frontman imposing his views on the public, he has done nothing but harm both the party’s election campaign and the ruling system overall.

Andrey Pertsev

Peter Magyar delivers his first official speech after he was sworn into the parliament as the new Prime Minister of Hungary under the TISZA party, during today's inaugural session of the Hungarian Parliament, in Budapest, Hungary on 9 May 2026.

Article

How Is Hungary’s New Government Doing?

Despite myriad challenges and occasional stumbles, the new Hungarian government is moving ahead with energy and conviction to uproot years of illiberalism and corruption and rebuild Hungarian democracy.

Thomas Carothers

Article

How Europe’s 2027 Elections Could Test EU Governance

Radical-right parties are expected to do well in upcoming elections in four of the EU's biggest member states. If successful, they could prevent the union from addressing key challenges ahead.

Stefan Lehne

US President Donald Trump waves as he leaves after speaking at a campaign rally

Paper

America Walks Away from Global Democracy

By abandoning past U.S. pro-democracy policies and adopting several lines of pro-autocratic action, the Trump administration has fundamentally repositioned the United States vis-à-vis democracy in the world.

Thomas Carothers