Everything is broken and nothing matters anymore

How polarization and the US Senate killed hope for accountability in Washington

America’s political system is broken.

Specifically, our various methods for holding politicians to account have been completely upended by partisan polarization and an explosion in the political biases and malapportionment of the United States Senate.

This might sound like a counterintuitive take given that the president was impeached less than 24 hours ago. But the relevant question is not whether the majority was heard, the question is whether their voices will ultimately matter. Will the Senate convict the president? Will it even hold a fair trial? Both look increasingly unlikely.

Join me in discussing the theory of electoral accountability as a motivator for political action, and how the relationship has recently broken down. (And please accept this essay as a substitute for yet another hot take on impeachment polling.)

Polarization harms electoral accountability

First, allow me to diverge from the conventional wisdom on partisan polarization, for no germane reason, but rather to state…