The United States’ political and economic institutions are leaving too many Americans behind.
The Big Picture
In a healthy democracy, people should feel heard, represented, and empowered in their political and economic systems. Yet, only 19% of Americans believe their voices are heard in Washington, according to the Independent Center’s July 2024 survey.
With increasing polarization, disengagement, and economic stagnation, the U.S. risks sliding into a system that prioritizes the political elite over the general public. Without serious reform, this exclusivity threatens economic innovation, political stability, and social cohesion.
Zooming In
The growing disconnect between voters and politicians
The American public feels alienated from the political process:
- Only 19% of Americans believe their voices are heard by elected officials.
- 83% agree that Washington, D.C. is failing to address the issues that matter most.
- The number of self-identified independent voters has surpassed both major parties since 2012.
This highlights a deepening trust gap between citizens and those in power. As partisanship intensifies, more voters reject party labels and disengage from the process entirely.
Inclusive vs. extractive institutions
Political scientists James Robinson and Darren Acemoglu explain in Why Nations Fail that a country’s success depends on the inclusivity of its institutions:
- Inclusive institutions encourage participation, innovation, and broad economic opportunities.
- Extractive institutions concentrate power and resources among elites, stifling growth and widening inequality.
Where does the U.S. stand today? Despite its history of progress, America is drifting toward extractive tendencies:
- The two-party system limits meaningful political participation.
- Government inefficiency and gridlock prevent needed reforms.
- Economic opportunities are increasingly out of reach, particularly for younger generations.
If this trend continues, America risks eroding its economic dynamism and political stability.
Disengagement and social consequences
When individuals feel excluded from society, they disengage—politically, economically, and socially:
- Young men are increasingly detached, with declining college enrollment, labor participation, and mental health outcomes (New Yorker).
- Some turn to fringe internet personalities, such as Andrew Tate, in search of belonging.
- Economic stagnation in historically marginalized regions, such as the post-slavery American South, demonstrates the long-term consequences of exclusion.
As disillusionment spreads, the risks to political stability and economic prosperity grow.
Data Snapshot
- 83% of Americans believe Washington is failing to address key issues.
- The majority of voters identify as independent, rejecting both major parties.
- Political disengagement is rising, especially among young men.
- Extractive institutions limit economic mobility, restricting opportunities for growth.
Independent Lens
America’s future depends on revitalizing inclusivity—not just in social terms, but in economic and political participation. Independent voters recognize that exclusion leads to stagnation, and that our current system fails to serve the majority.
The solution isn’t more partisanship—it’s structural reform that prioritizes open competition, broader representation, and civic engagement.
Subscribe to our newsletter for ongoing analysis on how independent voters are shaping America’s future.
