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 ,"…