In this episode of “The Ezra Klein Show,” historian Anton Jäger introduces the concept of hyperpolitics to describe a political era where engagement is intense yet institutionally weak. Jäger defines hyperpolitics as a surge in political activity—voting, protests, even violence—without a corresponding rise in institutional strength. He contrasts this with the mass politics of the 20th century, where high participation was anchored in parties and unions.

Today, membership in such organizations has declined, leaving politics feeling pervasive but inchoate. Jäger argues that this disconnect explains why political movements rise and fall rapidly, from Black Lives Matter to Trumpism, without lasting policy impact. He uses two axes—politicization and institutionalization—to map historical shifts, showing how the current moment combines high politicization with low institutionalization.

This creates a paradox: politics feels omnipresent, yet its consequences seem fleeting. Jäger’s framework offers a lens to understand the volatility and intensity of contemporary political life, suggesting that the lack of institutional grounding may be why so much political energy dissipates without transformative change. The conversation explores these dynamics, offering insights into the nature of modern political engagement and its limitations.