Understanding American Politics and Reform

Andrew Yang discusses the dysfunction in American politics, attributing it to flawed incentives and electoral systems. He highlights the disparity between low congressional approval ratings and high incumbent re-election rates, driven by primary elections dominated by extreme party bases. Yang proposes solutions like ranked choice voting and nonpartisan primaries, citing successful reforms in Alaska and Nevada. He envisions a political landscape where incentives align with public interest, urging collective action to achieve meaningful change.

What is the main issue Andrew Yang identifies with American politics?

• Lack of voter participation

• Poor and perverse incentives

• High cost of elections

• Ineffective political parties

What is the re-election rate for incumbent members of the House of Representatives?

• 94%

• 30%

• 50%

• 15%

Why do political parties in the U.S. seem unresponsive to the public?

• They focus on general elections

• They prioritize media coverage

• They cater to a small percentage of base voters

• They lack funding

What effect does media have on political polarization according to Yang?

• It promotes unbiased information

• It reduces political engagement

• It separates people into tribes and teams

• It unites different political views

What is the main benefit of Alaska's new primary system?

• It eliminates the need for general elections

• It allows candidates from any party to compete in one primary

• It reduces election costs

• It increases voter turnout

How did Mary Peltola win against Sarah Palin in Alaska's new system?

• By winning the Republican primary

• Through ranked choice voting

• By gaining media support

• By running as an independent

What was the cost of implementing the primary reform in Alaska?

• 200 million dollars

• 10 billion dollars

• 6 million dollars

• 22 million dollars

What is the potential impact of adopting these reforms in multiple states?

• Increased political polarization

• Higher election costs

• Decreased voter turnout

• Rationalized American politics

How many states have ballot initiative measures for primary reform?

• 25

• 10

• 5

• 50

What percentage of the presidential cycle's cost would be needed to try reforms in 10 states?

• 10%

• 50%

• 2%

• 25%