Maxwell Stearns
@maxwell-stearns.bsky.social
Venable, Baetjer & Howard Professor of Law, Maryland Carey Law.
Author of Parliamentary America: The Least Radical Means of Radically Repairing Our Broken Democracy (JHU Press 2024).
I blog on law, politics and culture at www.blindspotblog.us.
Author of Parliamentary America: The Least Radical Means of Radically Repairing Our Broken Democracy (JHU Press 2024).
I blog on law, politics and culture at www.blindspotblog.us.
Pinned
I'm thrilled to share that "Parliamentary America" just won a Silver #IPPYAwards medal!
I hope my book encourages vital conversations about fixing our broken democracy.
#IndependentAuthor #ParliamentaryAmerica #IndieBooks #BookCommunity #Politics #Law
I hope my book encourages vital conversations about fixing our broken democracy.
#IndependentAuthor #ParliamentaryAmerica #IndieBooks #BookCommunity #Politics #Law
An important datum, but readers seem to miss a key point. With only two parties, our politics will remain winner take all even with a proportionality rule. To have effective 3rd, 4th or more parties demands letting them have a key role in governing. PR alone won't do that as I explain in my book.
48% yes, 19% no, 32% don't know for proportional representation. That's with very little public campaign for PR so far.
Tracks similar results we found a couple of years ago polling various reforms in Wyoming. It's not some wonky thing only nerds get. The concept is intuitive and naturally popular.
Tracks similar results we found a couple of years ago polling various reforms in Wyoming. It's not some wonky thing only nerds get. The concept is intuitive and naturally popular.
Wow! That's a lot higher support level than I expected. And that 32%"don't know" means there's a high ceiling
November 7, 2025 at 10:46 PM
An important datum, but readers seem to miss a key point. With only two parties, our politics will remain winner take all even with a proportionality rule. To have effective 3rd, 4th or more parties demands letting them have a key role in governing. PR alone won't do that as I explain in my book.
My new video on gerrymandering and democracy inspired by the November 4 election. Run time 3:26.
youtu.be/TLu5QX47FGM
youtu.be/TLu5QX47FGM
Reflections on partisan gerrymandering after the November 4, 2025 election.
YouTube video by Democracy Currents with Maxwell Stearns
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 9:39 PM
My new video on gerrymandering and democracy inspired by the November 4 election. Run time 3:26.
youtu.be/TLu5QX47FGM
youtu.be/TLu5QX47FGM
November 4, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Thank you for this @dennislytton.bsky.social. I think citizens have a two-part moral obligation: (1) to become better educated about what has happened to our democracy and how to fix it, and (2) to be hopeful. The latter is just as important if we care about future generations.
It feels weighty & impossible to fathom how we could change the constitution; even should pro democracy forces win today, in '26, & in '28.
But we're not prisoners of destiny, there is a route to a Farewell to Arms.
(h/t to @maxwell-stearns.bsky.social here)
But we're not prisoners of destiny, there is a route to a Farewell to Arms.
(h/t to @maxwell-stearns.bsky.social here)
November 4, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Thank you for this @dennislytton.bsky.social. I think citizens have a two-part moral obligation: (1) to become better educated about what has happened to our democracy and how to fix it, and (2) to be hopeful. The latter is just as important if we care about future generations.
November 3, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Reposted by Maxwell Stearns
I review last year's book by U of Maryland law prof. @maxwell-stearns.bsky.social's "Parliamentary America". He lays out a case for converting the American Presidency into a prime minister elected by & dependent on the confidence of an enlarged House elected by multiparty proportional representation
November 1, 2025 at 7:40 AM
I review last year's book by U of Maryland law prof. @maxwell-stearns.bsky.social's "Parliamentary America". He lays out a case for converting the American Presidency into a prime minister elected by & dependent on the confidence of an enlarged House elected by multiparty proportional representation
Please read this wonderful essay by @dennislytton.bsky.social in @liberalcurrents.com. It displays the author's deep well of knowledge in history, institutions, and democracy, and it endorses key insights from Parliamentary America. It is well worth your time.
www.liberalcurrents.com/the-american...
www.liberalcurrents.com/the-american...
The American Presidency Can Never Be Trusted Again
It’s time for multiparty democracy and a limited executive.
www.liberalcurrents.com
November 2, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Please read this wonderful essay by @dennislytton.bsky.social in @liberalcurrents.com. It displays the author's deep well of knowledge in history, institutions, and democracy, and it endorses key insights from Parliamentary America. It is well worth your time.
www.liberalcurrents.com/the-american...
www.liberalcurrents.com/the-american...
How many more editorials will the @nytimes.com publish while continuing entirely to ignore the root causes of our constitutional crisis--two party presidentialism. Without a correct diagnosis, it is impossible to devise a proper cure. Do better.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Opinion | In Trump’s America, Are We Losing Our Democracy?
Donald Trump has wielded power as no previous president has.
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:16 PM
How many more editorials will the @nytimes.com publish while continuing entirely to ignore the root causes of our constitutional crisis--two party presidentialism. Without a correct diagnosis, it is impossible to devise a proper cure. Do better.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
I only found out today that back in January, Adam Gurri, Liberal Currents, and Caleb Brown discussed my book, Parliamentary America, on the Cato daily podcast! The specific discussion begins at 10:30, and the lead in is also very thoughtful.
Thank you Adam and Caleb!
open.spotify.com/episode/2R2Z...
Thank you Adam and Caleb!
open.spotify.com/episode/2R2Z...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:26 AM
I only found out today that back in January, Adam Gurri, Liberal Currents, and Caleb Brown discussed my book, Parliamentary America, on the Cato daily podcast! The specific discussion begins at 10:30, and the lead in is also very thoughtful.
Thank you Adam and Caleb!
open.spotify.com/episode/2R2Z...
Thank you Adam and Caleb!
open.spotify.com/episode/2R2Z...
No. We do not. We need serious reform that gets to the root of the problem--two party presidentialism. Superficial fixes will not fix the crisis of our democracy.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/o...
Opinion | We Both Served in Congress. It Shouldn’t Be a Retirement Home.
www.nytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 11:56 AM
No. We do not. We need serious reform that gets to the root of the problem--two party presidentialism. Superficial fixes will not fix the crisis of our democracy.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/o...
I'm just going to come out and say it. Although it is abysmal, I care far more about what Trump's doing to our democracy than what Trump's doing to the White House.
October 20, 2025 at 10:14 PM
I'm just going to come out and say it. Although it is abysmal, I care far more about what Trump's doing to our democracy than what Trump's doing to the White House.
October 20, 2025 at 1:06 PM
If you have read Parliamentary America, especially if you liked it and think it is important for others to read in the fight to save our democracy, please consider writing a strongly favorable review on Amazon, Goodreads, or both. Thank you.
October 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM
If you have read Parliamentary America, especially if you liked it and think it is important for others to read in the fight to save our democracy, please consider writing a strongly favorable review on Amazon, Goodreads, or both. Thank you.
A deeply emotional day. Finally. After over two years.
So much sorrow. So much pain.
And now, finally hope.
So much sorrow. So much pain.
And now, finally hope.
October 13, 2025 at 10:35 AM
A deeply emotional day. Finally. After over two years.
So much sorrow. So much pain.
And now, finally hope.
So much sorrow. So much pain.
And now, finally hope.
I'm thrilled to announce my YouTube channel: Democracy Currents with Maxwell Stearns. I start with an 11-minute Ted-style talk, Saving the Future of Our Democracy, given at the University of Maryland, Baltimore Faculty Commencement. Please watch and share.
youtu.be/qJ5yBQNtEiM
youtu.be/qJ5yBQNtEiM
FIRST THIRD
YouTube video by Democracy Currents with Maxwell Stearns
youtu.be
October 10, 2025 at 6:24 PM
I'm thrilled to announce my YouTube channel: Democracy Currents with Maxwell Stearns. I start with an 11-minute Ted-style talk, Saving the Future of Our Democracy, given at the University of Maryland, Baltimore Faculty Commencement. Please watch and share.
youtu.be/qJ5yBQNtEiM
youtu.be/qJ5yBQNtEiM
