Ending the Corruption of Money
Concentrated wealth is the enemy of democracy. As the great jurist Louis Brandeis is reputed to have said, “America has a choice. We can either have great wealth in the hands of a few or we can have a democracy. […]
Category / American Democracy
American Political Institutions: Fragile or Resilient?
Love him or hate him, no one should doubt that Donald J. Trump has shattered many of the norms undergirding the American political experiment. His radically populist style and unconventional conservatism have, and will, test the foundations of America’s system […]
What’s Next in the Russo-Ukrainian War?
Ukraine is in the crosshairs of politics, domestically and globally. What is the current status of this war, and what does the future hold for the Ukrainian people? This program will unravel the current situation, US political sentiments and challenges, […]
US Immigration and Border Policies: The Wrong Actions at the Wrong Time for the Wrong Reasons
Understanding the complexities of immigration, including its emotional impact, is vital for forming effective policies, a sentiment most Americans echo. Evaluating historical US immigration policies and their current implications, and determining the best future direction is key. Consideration of our […]
Challenges to Democracy for November 2024 and Beyond
What we need to know and discuss to assure fair voting and “We the People” has meaning. Prof. Alex Keyssar will cover ongoing methods of voter suppression, the counting and certification of votes, and the hazards of the Electoral College […]
A Serious Election Demands a Serious Electorate
For most Americans, the upcoming election looms like a slow-moving train wreck. There is no way to stop it from happening and no way to get out of the way. There is no rewind button. The election of 2024 will […]
A Purple Agenda For The Next Four Years
Americans are distinctly unenthusiastic about their options for president this year. Who the candidates are is one problem. What they stand for is another. What are the key issues concerning voters, and what policies best address them? The economist Laurence […]
Identity in Urban-Rural Political Division: Consequences and Solutions
Rural America continues to surface in our media as a special place with a unique identity and challenges. What is that identity, how did it develop, and what are the special challenges? Is there an urban/rural divide, and if so, […]
Returning to Philadelphia: Amending the Constitution for the Twenty-First Century
Learn the story of Jefferson’s debate with Madison about periodic constitutional renewal (Jefferson wanted each generation to write its own Constitution; Madison favored an enduring Constitution). That historical debate opens up different proposals for constitutional change today. Learn about historic […]
The Role of Big Money In U S Elections
Join this informative discussion with a group of campaign finance law experts from the nonpartisan, nonprofit Campaign Legal Center to learn how big money special interest spending—often from secret sources—is affecting our elections and the solutions. Topics will include the […]