Four Harvard Students on Fixing American Politics

In this special edition of The Middle, host Jeremy Hobson interviews four undergraduate students from Harvard Kennedy School's Institute of Politics—Sophia Robertson, Morgan Johnson, Teresa Bartlemy, and Moritz Acosta—about the state of American politics and their vision for its future. The students, representing diverse backgrounds and political perspectives, express deep concern over the increasing polarization, institutional distrust, and the erosion of civil discourse in U.S. politics. They identify social media algorithms, sensationalized media, and the 'lesser of two evils' voting mentality as key drivers of division. Despite their generational skepticism, they remain hopeful, emphasizing the importance of incremental change, civic engagement, and public service. Each student shares personal motivations for entering public life—ranging from military service to education reform and diplomacy—underscoring a shared belief that young people have a moral responsibility to strengthen democracy. They advocate for better political education, truth-seeking, and national service, while cautioning against radical overhauls that lack broad appeal or electability. The conversation reveals a generation that is politically aware, disillusioned with partisan extremism, and committed to rebuilding trust through dialogue, service, and systemic reform. They challenge older generations’ assumptions that youth are apathetic, instead arguing that young people are deeply engaged but constrained by broken institutions. Their collective message is one of cautious optimism: democracy is fragile, but not beyond repair. With a focus on cost of living, education, and institutional integrity, they call for leaders who prioritize unity over division and progress over performative change. Their stories reflect a powerful generational commitment to stewardship, accountability, and the enduring promise of American democracy.