A noted business leader joins Americas preeminent business strategist to diagnose what ails our political system and prescribe a cure. Timely indeed.
US SENATOR MITT ROMNEY (R-UTAH)
Gehl and Porters powerful book is a deep and persuasive analysis of our current political dysfunction and practical steps for change. Let us hope the public and our leaders take heed.
FORMER US SENATOR EVAN BAYH (D-IN)
This book is an actual manual for how Americans can reclaim our democracy and make it work for the people rather than for the political-industrial complex. Gehl and Porters writing is clear and lively; their analysis of the two-party duopoly is devastatingly accurate; their timing is perfect. Read it and act!
ANNE-MARIE SLAUGHTER, CEO, New America
The Politics Industry outlines a unique framework that challenges the traditions of our political system. Whether you are the candidate on the ballot or the citizen casting the vote, we can all learn from Gehl and Porters blueprint to improve our democracy.
MELLODY HOBSON, Co-CEO and President, Ariel Investments
This crucial book dissects Americas electoral and legislative machinery to provide a revealing perspective on why our $16 billion political industry is failing its most important customers: the American people. The authors assessment is eye opening, and their proposed solutions reflect the heart of the American ethosinnovation, determination, courage, and the will to reinvent the status quo.
HOWARD SCHULTZ, Chairman Emeritus, Starbucks
Katherine Gehl and Michael Porter deliver a stunning indictment of American politics and government and the way economic competitiveness and broader national welfare have been diminished by its failings. But Gehl and Porter provide us with much more than analysis and diagnosis. They offer practical reforms to end this destructive political gridlock and dysfunction. This is an impassioned and timely book that deserves wide readership.
DREW GILPIN FAUST, former President, Harvard University
Gehl and Porter are true experts. They provide not just analysis or endless commentary but a plan for real changeall for the better. This is a fresh look at American politics.
BUD SELIG, Commissioner Emeritus, Major League Baseball
This is the best book Ive read about our divided politics. Gehl and Porter provide a clear and compelling solution.
BILL WALKER, former Governor of Alaska (Independent)
Americans everywhere are frustrated by the state of politics, but doing something to actually fix it can feel like an overwhelming or impossible taskuntil you read this book!
KATIE FAHEY, Executive Director, The People
Katherine Gehl and Michael Porters timely and imaginative new book, The Politics Industry , examines todays political dysfunction from an original perspective, and in that context proposes political innovation to break partisan deadlock and foster a fuller and more productive range of political expression.
ROBERT ZIMMER, President, University of Chicago
Too many Americans feel unrepresented by our two political parties or their representatives in government, and Gehl and Porter give a clear explanation why. They eschew the tired finger pointing about breaking the system that both parties engage in. In this book, Gehl and Porter put forward a number of serious, innovative, and nonpartisan reforms. If more people in America thought about democracy the way Gehl and Porter do, our country would be in a lot better shape.
SARAH LONGWELL, Publisher, The Bulwark
Ive been deeply dismayed about Washington, D.C.s performance for years. Gehl and Porter turned the light on for me and returned my hopeas they will for you. Their analysis is brilliant, but more importantly, their solution will transform our political system. There is no more important book in 2020.
AUSTIN RAMIREZ, CEO, Husco International
Copyright
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Copyright 2020 Katherine M. Gehl and Michael E. Porter
All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior permission of the publisher. Requests for permission should be directed to , or mailed to Permissions, Harvard Business School Publishing, 60 Harvard Way, Boston, Massachusetts 02163.
First eBook Edition: Jun 2020
ISBN: 978-1-63369-923-6
eISBN: 978-1-63369-924-3
To my mom. I still miss you.
Katherine
To my granddaughter, Elliot Teal. For your future.
Papa Michael
Foreword
Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher
(WI, elected 2016)
Democratic Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan
(PA, elected 2018)
Before serving the United States as members of Congress, we each served as members of the armed forces. Chrissy earned a systems engineering degree from Stanford University on an ROTC scholarship and served in the Air Force, helping design defense systems for ballistic missile attack. Mike joined the Marines the day he graduated from Princeton University and served in intelligence across the world. Both of us felt we owed this service to our extraordinary country.
During our time in the military, we served under and led men and women of great diversityeach with their own family backgrounds, stories, and belief systems. We came together united by our common goal to protect this country we treasure. Military duty was a great honor and formed the foundation for our continued service todayservice to our districts, our states, and our country.
While we are immeasurably honored and privileged to now be serving again in Congress and to be working on behalf of our constituents and our country, we are both dismayed by the current state of play in Washington, D.C. Like many of our colleagues, we are deeply frustrated. We know you are too.
As veterans, we know what it means to fight on the same team for the America we love so much. That love hasnt changed. That desire to fight for America hasnt changed. So why arent we now on the same for-America team? Why is our status as members of different political parties seemingly more potent than our shared love for America, our many areas of agreement, and our shared responsibility to solve problems and get results? Why are we more often opponents than colleagues? Why are we collectively allergic to the compromise and teamwork required to do what Americans want and expect of their Congress? Why cant we get big things done for the American people?
Because the system is built to tear us apart. In American politics, winning isnt winning unless the other side is losing, and losing badly.
This shouldnt be.
And it doesnt have to be. This book proves it.
Katherine and Michael argue that its the system. Most importantly, they propose specifics on how we can fix it together. Their prescription is powerful. It is nonpartisan. Whats more, its doable.