Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Stanford Graduate School of Business Professor Brian Lowery speaks with author Marc Dunkelman about the roots of American polarization and governmental paralysis. Dunkelman argues that the collapse of "middle ring" relationships—connections with neighbors and community members who differ from us—has fundamentally reshaped politics and eroded our ability to build consensus. He explores the tension between top-down authority and today's system where anyone can veto progress, proposing that "everyone should have a voice, but no one should have a veto." The discussion examines how Americans retreated into homogenous social circles, why major infrastructure projects have become nearly impossible, and whether updating our rules and processes could restore both democratic legitimacy and effective governance.
Stanford Graduate School of Business Professor Brian Lowery speaks with author Marc Dunkelman about the roots of American polarization and governmental paralysis. Dunkelman argues that the collapse of "middle ring" relationships—connections with neighbors and community members who differ from us—has fundamentally reshaped politics and eroded our ability to build consensus. He explores the tension between top-down authority and today's system where anyone can veto progress, proposing that "everyone should have a voice, but no one should have a veto." The discussion examines how Americans retreated into homogenous social circles, why major infrastructure projects have become nearly impossible, and whether updating our rules and processes could restore both democratic legitimacy and effective governance.
