About this episode

The episode discusses the state of American political parties and potential reforms to improve democracy.

No Jargon celebrates its 300th episode with a conversation about where American democracy and politics stand today, featuring the Scholar Strategy Network's new board chair, Mark Schmitt . Americans are increasingly frustrated with both the Democratic and Republican parties thanks to endless fundraising messages, political gridlock, and the sense that politicians don't represent the people. Schmitt makes the case that political parties are still a vital part of a healthy democracy and talks through the kinds of structural changes that could help rebuild trust and bring more people into the political process. For more on this topic: Read the New America report co-authored by Schmitt, A Blueprint for Healthier Political Parties Check out New America's companion report, A Model for Associational Party Building

People in this episode

Guest: Mark Schmitt

Topics covered

• American democracy
• political parties
• political reform
• trust in government
• political representation

Keywords

• political parties
• American democracy
• political reform
• trust
• political representation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Scholars Strategy Network, New America

Books & works: A Blueprint for Healthier Political Parties, A Model for Associational Party Building

More episodes of Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

• Episode 303: Who Gets to Be an American? · July 14, 2026 · 35 min
• Episode 302: The Christian Women Behind MAGA · June 30, 2026 · 38 min
• Episode 301: The Cost of Incarceration · June 16, 2026 · 39 min
• Episode 299: Can Cash Improve Pregnancy Outcomes? · May 12, 2026 · 27 min

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