Shadow Politics
The systems running American democracy were architected in the 1890s. This course exposes the legacy code behind census counts, electoral maps, and voter access—and why refactoring is nearly impossible.
Legacy Systems Still Running
These core governmental functions operate on frameworks designed centuries ago. Understanding their architecture reveals why reform is so difficult.
Population counting methodology fundamentally unchanged since the Hollerith machine
Single-member districts codified; gerrymandering became a feature, not a bug
Winner-take-all emerged as default; 5 presidents lost popular vote
VRA gutted in 2013; state-level patches vary wildly
Requires 2/3 Congress + 3/4 states; effectively frozen since 1992
Self-reporting system with minimal enforcement; shadow economy thrives
The Curriculum
Nine deep-dive modules exposing the mechanical reality behind democratic processes. Each module includes primary sources, data visualizations, and system diagrams.
The Interconnected System
No mechanism operates in isolation. Click nodes to explore how each system feeds into, reinforces, or conflicts with the others.
Select a Node
Click on any node in the system map to see how it connects to other mechanisms and explore its module.
System Changelog
Key commits to America's democratic infrastructure. Note the pattern: foundations set, constraints added, patches applied, exploits discovered.
Electoral College Created
Three-fifths compromise baked into electoral math. Southern states gain disproportionate power.
Single-Member Districts
Apportionment Act mandates one representative per district. Gerrymandering becomes viable.
Hollerith Tabulating Machine
Census mechanized. Population data becomes political weapon at scale.
House Size Capped
435 representatives locked in. As population grows, representation dilutes.
Permanent Apportionment Act
Automatic reapportionment begins. Census stakes become existential for states.
Voting Rights Act
Federal oversight of state elections. The high-water mark of access reform.
Citizens United
Corporate speech unlimited. Dark money floods the system.
Shelby County v. Holder
VRA preclearance gutted. States rush to implement restrictions.
Rucho v. Common Cause
Federal courts exit partisan gerrymandering disputes. States free to manipulate.