Book Launch: The Puzzle State

Published: October 4, 2025; Aithor: Julia Sonrisa

When: October 7, 2025

Danish best-selling author and PhD Sigge Winther Nielsen (PhD in political science, CEO and Founder of INVI — institute for Wicked Problems) will soon publish his long-awaited book: The Puzzle State — How to Govern Wicked Problems in Western Democracies.

The book offers a sharp and original take on why major reforms keep stalling — and how democracies might rebuild political effectiveness from the ground up.

And here, the U.S. stands out.

67.7% of Americans don’t believe society will be better in ten years.
A majority say political decisions are made without regard to whether they can be implemented.
Americans rate democracy’s problem-solving ability at only 4.7/10.

Based on analyses of the public opinion in five Western countries and 100+ interviews with political insiders across the UK, Germany, Italy, the U.S., and Denmark over seven years — including voices like Steny Hoyer, Donald Moynihan, and Yoni Appelbaum — the book explores why Western democracies, especially the. The U.S. is losing the public’s trust.

The core argument? Reform breakdown isn’t about left vs right — it’s about systems stuck in the 20th century, without the feedback loops needed to adapt to 21st-century “wicked problems.” Sigge Winther Nielsen proposes a new democratic model grounded in AI and frontline learning.

Free activities and events in New York City

Book Launch: The Puzzle State

And here, the U.S. stands out.