Closer Constituents, Weaker Parties

Reforms that bind members more tightly to their districts can loosen party control and enable cross‑cutting coalitions. The piece frames proximity to constituents as the lever for freeing legislators from party strictures. — It reframes depolarization as an incentive‑design problem inside Congress rather than a media or norms campaign.

Sources

The Unbalance of Power

Arnold Kling 2025.09.14 64% relevant

Kling’s core claim is that representation has become too distant (≈800,000 people per U.S. House member; 11 councilors for 1M in Montgomery County) and should be drastically localized, paralleling the idea that tightening links between representatives and constituents changes power dynamics and improves accountability.

Radical Reforms to Conserve Congress

Joseph Postell 2025.08.20 100% relevant

Opening claim: 'If Congressmen want to be free from party strictures, they must be closer to their constituents,' followed by proposed 'radical' reforms.