Polemic for Democracy

What is in the book?

Polemic for Democracy is the full case for systemic reform. The book argues that the structure of the Constitution is at the root of our systemic dysfunction, and that amending the Constitution is necessary for long-lasting change. Reforms include: increasing the size of the House, requiring proportional representation in Congress, abolishing the Senate, making it easier to impeach the President, and term limits for Justices on the Supreme Court. Everything is backed by original research and data analysis, including over 70 full color maps showing ungerrymandered congressional districts in all 50 states, plus DC and Puerto Rico. The book also lays out a concrete political strategy to build a movement and achieve these reforms.

Behind the writing process

I started writing Polemic because I didn't know what else to do. Our political system is so dysfunctional, and my cynicism was like a black hole. But I felt like I had to try, even in the face of an overwhelming tide.

The book began in February 2023 as a series of handwritten essays in my travel journal, on a beach in Colombia. Returning to Seattle for the summer, it took two months to draw and analyze the new maps for every state. Then in early 2024, I decided I needed another change of scenery to finish the manuscript, so I went to Mexico City for four magical months. I finished the revisions and self-published Polemic one week before the 2024 elections, to make sure the words were in print before whatever was to come.

Now, here we are. The need for structural reform has never been so obvious. And the work to ungerrymander America continues.