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The roots of America’s divided politics

A demonstrator protests with a sign showing a divided Red and Blue America in front of the Trump International Hotel during the "March for Our Lives" event demanding gun control after recent school shootings at a rally in Washington, U.S., March 24, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis - HP1EE3O1FJKIW

In this episode, Brookings Vice President Darrell West and Senior Fellow Camille Busette discuss themes from West’s new book, “Divided Politics, Divided Nation: Hyperconflict in the Trump era,” including the economic, geographic, racial, and technological factors that have exacerbated U.S. political polarization to its current breaking point, and what’s needed to build a healthier democracy. West and Busette also speculated how these pressures may affect the 2020 presidential race.

 

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With thanks to audio producer Gaston Reboredo, Chris McKenna, Brennan Hoban, Fred Dews, and Camilo Ramirez for additional support.

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Intersections is part of the Brookings Podcast Network

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