Paths to Depolarization

{
  "authors": [
    "Francis Fukuyama"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [
    "U.S. Democracy in Comparative Perspective"
  ],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "",
  "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

Nonresident Scholar, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Francis Fukuyama is 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 Russia Eurasia Center

Commentary
Carnegie Politika
The Kremlin Is Destroying Its Own System of Coerced Voting
The use of technology to mobilize Russians to vote—a system tied to the relative material well-being of the electorate, its high dependence on the state, and a far-reaching system of digital control—is breaking down.
Andrey Pertsev
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Notes From Kyiv: Is Ukraine Preparing for Elections?
As discussions about settlement and elections move from speculation to preparation, Kyiv will have to manage not only the battlefield, but also the terms of political transition. The thaw will not resolve underlying tensions; it will only expose them more clearly.
Balázs Jarábik
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Where Does the Split in the Ruling Tandem Leave Kyrgyzstan?
Despite its reputation as an island of democracy in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan appears to be on the brink of becoming a personalist autocracy.
Temur Umarov
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
In Uzbekistan, the President’s Daughter Is Now His Second-in-Command
Having failed to build a team that he can fully trust or establish strong state institutions, Mirziyoyev has become reliant on his family.
Galiya Ibragimova
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Japan’s “Militarist Turn” and What It Means for Russia
For a real example of political forces engaged in the militarization of society, the Russian leadership might consider looking closer to home.
James D.J. Brown

More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

The Kremlin Is Destroying Its Own System of Coerced Voting

The use of technology to mobilize Russians to vote—a system tied to the relative material well-being of the electorate, its high dependence on the state, and a far-reaching system of digital control—is breaking down.

Andrey Pertsev

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Notes From Kyiv: Is Ukraine Preparing for Elections?

As discussions about settlement and elections move from speculation to preparation, Kyiv will have to manage not only the battlefield, but also the terms of political transition. The thaw will not resolve underlying tensions; it will only expose them more clearly.

Balázs Jarábik

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Where Does the Split in the Ruling Tandem Leave Kyrgyzstan?

Despite its reputation as an island of democracy in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan appears to be on the brink of becoming a personalist autocracy.

Temur Umarov

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

In Uzbekistan, the President’s Daughter Is Now His Second-in-Command

Having failed to build a team that he can fully trust or establish strong state institutions, Mirziyoyev has become reliant on his family.

Galiya Ibragimova

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Japan’s “Militarist Turn” and What It Means for Russia

For a real example of political forces engaged in the militarization of society, the Russian leadership might consider looking closer to home.

James D.J. Brown