Katherine M. Gehl Books

Our political system has become a thriving business, yet solutions to significant problems seem elusive. The political-industrial complex is characterized by rampant lobbying, gerrymandering, and skyrocketing election spending. The Democratic and Republican parties fiercely compete for power while maintaining a duopoly that dominates the industry. Unfortunately, this system, intended for citizens, has become dysfunctional and unable to address key economic and social challenges. Reformers often propose ideas like term limits or campaign finance reforms, but few are seriously advanced or enacted. In this work, political innovation activist Katherine Gehl and business strategist Michael Porter adopt a novel approach by applying business analysis tools, particularly Porter's Five Forces framework, to the political landscape. They argue that the political system can be transformed, akin to other industries, by implementing a new strategy focused on four critical areas: the election process, legislative mechanisms, the influence of money, and fostering competition. The authors emphasize practical solutions that can yield significant impact in a short timeframe. This nonpartisan guide aims to enlighten citizens about the dynamics and challenges of the American political system while offering actionable strategies for meaningful reform that benefits everyone.