A successful Democracy is messy. People are diverse in countless ways and have individual, cultural, and group identities and points of view. That people came together through most of US history to bridge differences has been America’s achievement since its […]
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 […]
A Message from Christopher Beem about the upcoming October 13th program: Americans are frustrated and deeply concerned about the condition of our democracy. Our divisions are so deep and complete that we don’t see how they can be overcome; […]
Much has evolved in Ukraine since our program in May. While much has changed, much has not changed. Russia continues to be a wild card, but Ukraine has surprised experts with its successes and determination. Where is this going, and […]
Throughout US history, judges, scholars, and citizens have argued about how to go about interpreting the US Constitution. The current Supreme Court has embraced a methodology called “originalism” or “original public meaning.” But what exactly is “originalism”? What is its […]
Antisemitism has again reared its ugliness. Jews have experienced antisemitism throughout history on a spectrum from everyday slights to genocide. Today, old misconceptions are propelled by social media and controversies over Israel. A small minority, Jews have been an easy […]
We are overwhelmed with diverse perspectives and approaches to fiscal policies that can be confusing. Are we in a fiscal crisis over debt, entitlements, and the federal budget? Such a complex issue, focusing on debt/debt ceiling and entitlements, will be […]
As Russia's war against Ukraine rages on, one wonders what to anticipate. Will the Coalition hold over time? Will Russia be held accountable for crimes? Can a small country succeed in its passion for independence and quest for democracy? How […]
Democracy in the balance: Election and voter issues remain grave concerns. Trevor Potter and Hayden Johnson will explore peak pandemic voter access expansion policies, the rise of the “election denier,” as well as election manipulation efforts and post-2020 efforts […]
A new collaboration between China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Russia has emerged, confronting the US and the global community. What does such a collaboration actually mean for US foreign policy, competition with China, relationship with Saudi Arabia, and long-time challenging […]
Most understand the climate is changing before our eyes. Implementing solutions has been slowly occurring, but much more needs to be accomplished. Join Bill McKibben for an in-depth discussion on the opportunities, priorities, and diverse solutions to address the challenges […]
This discussion will focus on the 2024 elections and the presidential campaign in process, highlighting the most important aspects of the race and putting the contest in a scholarly perspective. Manza and Herbst will bring their broad knowledge of American […]