Includes bibliographical references and index.

Chapter One: The Problems: Why the Federal Government Barely Functions and Polarization Is Rising -- I. Crises and the Crumbling Pillars of American Democracy -- II. Analysis: Institutional Obstacles -- III. The Public's Response: Populism, Polarization, and Impotent Elections -- IV. A New Way Forward: Focus on the Root Causes of Our Political Troubles -- V. Eight Desiderata to Guide the Choice of Amendments -- Chapter Two: Solutions I: The Top Ten Amendments to Reduce Polarization and Make Our Government Work -- 1. Ranked Choice Voting: The End of Two-Party Domination -- 2. Rotate the Early Primary Elections between All States -- 3. Open or Semi-Open Primary Elections: End Control by the Extreme Wings -- 4. Fair Districting: End Gerrymandering and Make Congress More Responsive -- 5. Campaign Finance and Election Spending Reform -- 6. Constitutional Voting Rights: Fair and Accessible Elections with Integrity -- 7. End the Filibuster: Make the Senate Work as the Framers Intended -- 8. A Proportional House of Representatives: Restore the Framer's House -- 9. Eighteen Years on the Court Is Enough: Democratizing Judicial Confirmation -- 10. Robust Civics Education: A National Standard to Empower Citizens -- Chapter Three: Solutions II: Fifteen Procedural Amendments to Strengthen Democracy and the Rule of Law -- 11. Representation for Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Permanent Territories -- 12. Direct Election of the President -- 13. Commonsense Limits to the Pardon Power -- 14. The Integrity of All Federal Officeholders: Anti-Corruption Standards -- 15. Qualifications, Disclosure, Honesty and Professionalism Requirements for Office -- 16. An Independent Department of Justice and Professional Civil Service -- 17. Clear Standards and an Impartial Process for Impeachments -- 18. Congressional Oversight Powers and Foreign Interference in the Political System -- 19. Emergencies in Government and Emergency Powers -- 20. It Is Too Hard to Override Vetoes: Lower the Threshold -- 21. Loosen Congressional Leaders' Control, Reduce Gridlock, Move Appointments -- 22. Federal Budget Guarantees -- 23. Improve Judicial Review: Rational Bases and a Remand Option -- 24. Senate Apartheid: Ways to Fix the Worst Flaw of All in our System -- 25. A New Article V: Fix the Amendment Process Itself Interlude: More Amendment Topics Not Yet Covered -- Chapter Four: How to Pass the Amendments: A New Constitutional Convention -- I. A New Hope -- II. The Many Potent Advantages of a National Convention -- III. Why You Should Not Fear a Convention: "Runaway" Fallacies -- IV. How, Then, Should a National Convention Work? -- V. Conclusion.