595. Why Don't We Have Better Candidates for President?

American politics is trapped in a duopoly, with two all-powerful parties colluding to stifle competition. We revisit a 2018 episode to explain how the political industry works, and talk to a reformer (and former presidential candidate) who is pushing for change.

 

SOURCES:Katherine Gehl, former president and C.E.O. of Gehl Foods.Michael Porter, professor at Harvard Business School.Andrew Yang, co-chair of the Forward Party and former U.S. presidential candidate.

 

RESOURCES:"Why U.S. Politics Is Broken — and How to Fix It," by Andrew Yang (TED, 2024).The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy, by Michael Porter and Katherine Gehl (2020).“Why Competition in the Politics Industry is Failing America,” Katherine Gehl and Michael Porter (Harvard Business School, 2017).“Stronger Parties, Stronger Democracy: Rethinking Reform,” by Ian Vandewalker and  Daniel I. Weiner (Brennan Center for Justice, 2015).On Competition, by Michael Porter (2008).Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors, by Michael Porter (1980).

 

EXTRAS:"Andrew Yang Is Not Giving Up on Politics — or the U.S. — Yet," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2021)."The Future of New York City Is in Question. Could Andrew Yang Be the Answer?" by Freakonomics Radio (2021)."Why Is This Man Running for President? (Update)," by Freakonomics Radio (2019).“Ten Ideas to Make Politics Less Rotten,” Freakonomics Radio (2016).