First, states should adopt more-open primary systems — ranging from simply allowing nonaffiliated voters to participate, to instituting completely open primaries, such as the Top Two Primaries Act adopted in California last year.

Second, states should take redistricting out of the hands of legislatures and entrust it to nonpartisan commissions — as some states, such as Iowa, already have.

Third, the congressional leadership should be elected by a supermajority of, say, 60 percent. Unless one party enjoys an overwhelming edge, the first vote in each new Congress would test the majority party’s ability to create the bipartisan coalitions that are integral to effective government.