Marc Hetherington examines why Americans today viscerally dislike and distrust the party opposite the one they identify with more than at any point in the last 100 years, and how these negative feelings are central to understanding the political dysfunction and gridlock that has gripped the US for the past decade.

Marc Hetherington is Professor of Political Science at Vanderbilt University, studies the American electorate, with a particular focus on the polarization of public opinion.

Peter Trubowitz (@ptrubowitz) is Professor of International Relations and Director of the US Centre at LSE. 

The United States Centre at LSE (@LSE_US) is a hub for global expertise, analysis and commentary on America. Its mission is to promote policy-relevant and internationally-oriented scholarship to meet the growing demand for fresh analysis and critical debate on the United States.  

Twitter Hashtag for this event: #LSEUSDC

Slides

A copy of Professor Marc Hetherington's PowerPoint presentation can be downloaded:

Why Washington Won't Work (pdf)

Podcast

A podcast of this event is available to download from Why Washington Won't Work

Podcasts and videos of many LSE events can be found at the LSE Public Lectures and Events: podcasts and videos channel.