Book Launch: The Puzzle State

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. U.S., are 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.

Read more and pre-order the book here.

Full adress:

Denmark House

666 3rd Ave, New York

8th Floor

Press Contact

Tine Maria Borresøe, head of Communication, INVI

Please make contact if you wan't to have send the press kit for this event.

[email protected]

+45 6166 3060

Host or Publisher INVI – Institut for vilde problemer