Speaking Rationally with Steven Pinker

Although Harvard cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker enjoyed teaching his students about the interesting puzzles that cause humans to behave irrationally, he realized that as interesting as those puzzles were, they did not explain some of the deeper and more destructive […]

America’s Vulnerable Elections

In this session, we will take a look at the challenges facing our elections, particularly at the structures the country has used for many generations that in an era of hyperpartisanship have become sources of national vulnerability. Speakers: Edward B […]

Understanding the War In Ukraine

In the wake of Russia’s invasion, Ukraine’s fate has become tightly linked to the future of democracy and a liberal world order.  How did Ukraine become a champion for democracy? What are the prospects for an end to the war?  […]

Infrastructure: past, present, and future

Infrastructure has been the bedrock to America’s development, progress, and dreams. Roads to highways, dams, bridges, electric grids, railways and then airports and now internet and more. Can we learn from history, assess current needs, understand the economics and have […]

For the People Act (HR.1/S.1) Unpacked

The FPA has received enormous media attention. The partisan battles have been well covered. Most Americans favor fair and just voting rights and laws. Most want voting to be accessible and simplified. Most want money influence on our campaigns and […]

News Media and the Politics of Truth

We face a misinformation crisis. Misinformation is at an all-time high and it’s crippling our democracy, interfering with our ability to talk with each other, to enact needed public policies, and to bridge our bitter partisan divide. And there’s no […]