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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.

Listen to Intersections here, on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Send feedback email to intersections@brookings.edu, and follow us and tweet us at @policypodcasts on Twitter.

Intersections is part of the Brookings Podcast Network

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