American Politics (Audio)

The COVID-19 pandemic has already had a deep impact on the 2020 presidential election, from a battle over when to hold the Wisconsin primary to the postponement of other primaries and even the Democratic convention. In the months ahead, it will shape every facet of the contest: the issues, the mechanics of campaigns, how candidates engage the voters, and ultimately, how we cast our ballots. A panel of Berkeley political scientists and election experts discuss election law and security, voter participation, and how COVID-19 may permanently change how America votes. Panelists: Sarah Anzia, Professor, Goldman School of Public Policy; Henry E. Brady, Dean, Goldman School of Public Policy; Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean, Berkeley Law; Bertrall Ross, Professor, Berkeley Law; Philip Stark, Professor, Department of Statistics Series: "UC Public Policy Channel" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 36038]

The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health crisis threatening to become an economic catastrophe that affects tens of millions of Americans. Is the $2 trillion aid package recently passed by Congress and signed by the president enough to keep the economy from freefall? What more is needed? A panel of UC Berkeley's leading economists and public policy experts discuss the economic consequences of sheltering-in-place, evaluate the Congressional response and discuss strategies that could help to stabilize the economy, safeguard jobs and protect society's most vulnerable people. Series: "UC Public Policy Channel" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 35876]

If having a gun really made you safer, then America would be one of the safest countries in the world. It's not. Gary Younge (Manchester University) explains that while Americans consistently favor more gun control, gun laws have generally become more lax. That is partly due to the material resources of the gun lobby. But it is also about the central role of the gun, what it represents in the American narrative, and the inability of gun control advocates to develop a counter-narrative. Series: "UC Berkeley Graduate Lectures" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 35770]

Building on an already tense relationship aggravated by the trade war, will the recent War of Words between the U.S. and China lead to further escalation of bilateral tension? Or can a call for humanity and cooperation join the nations in a fight against a common enemy? Join experts from the 21st Century China Center as they explore the issues from all angles. Series: "American Politics" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 35862]

The keynote presentation of the Transnational Legal Discourse on Race and Empire Symposium features Aziz Rana whose research and teaching center on American constitutional law and political development, with a particular focus on how shifting notions of race, citizenship, and empire have shaped legal and political identity since the founding. Rana is a Professor of Law at Cornell Law School. Series: "American Politics" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 35628]

The Honorable David Shulkin served as the 9th Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 2017 to 2018. An experienced healthcare executive, Shulkin had been CEO of several hospitals and had served as the VA’s undersecretary. So he was entirely prepared for stepping into the role of leader of the nation’s largest integrated healthcare system (and was confirmed by the Senate 100-0). Yet, soon after he began, he realized that he was not fully prepared for the realities of the role in the Trump administration. A group of political appointees committed to privatizing the VA system began – subtly at first, more brazenly later – to undercut Shulkin’s authority, using back channels that have now become a familiar theme. Ultimately, he was fired by President Trump…by tweet. In this wide-ranging interview, he covers all of this, along with his experience as the “Lone Survivor” for the State of the Union Address and standing by the President’s side after the news of Charlottesville hit. Series: "American Politics" [Public Affairs] [Health and Medicine] [Business] [Show ID: 35508]

With the 2020 general elections looming, the nominee for the Democratic Party undetermined, and a defiant and volatile president at the helm, the impeachment inquiry is sure to heat up in the weeks ahead. At stake in this topsy-turvy political theater are our democratic institutions, which may be forever altered. This UC Berkeley's Social Science Matrix event features two prominent scholars: Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of Berkeley Law, and Robert Reich, Carmel P. Friesen Professor of Public Policy, Goldman School of Public Policy, UC Berkeley. Series: "UC Public Policy Channel" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 35379]

Experts weigh in on a number of key issues ahead of the 2020 election including: democratic engagement, voter participation, gerrymandering, voter suppression, and the push to change the Electoral College. Series: "UC Public Policy Channel" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 35336]

Women played a huge role in the 2018 midterms. A record number of women were elected to congress, some marking other historic firsts along the way. Women organized massive rallies, and made their voices heard at the polls. Former Governor of Michigan Jennifer Granholm sits down with PhD student Charlotte Hill to discuss congresswomen shaping the future of politics in the United States. Series: "UC Public Policy Channel" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 34722]

Experts on immigration, national security and refugee movements engage in a debate about the U.S. immigration system, the values and interests it serves and the impact of immigration on the nation. The debate features Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies, and Rubén Rumbaut, Distinguished Professor of Sociology at UC Irvine. The moderator is Donald Kerwin, Jr., Director of the Center for Migration Studies of New York. Series: "Voices" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 35057]

This panel discussion features former elected officials, legal and political experts discussing the role of late UCLA professor Leo Estrada in redistricting in California. They say Estrada's work was integral ensuring people of color achieved equal representation in the legislature. Not only was his expertise and data collection essential in understanding the makeup of California communities, but it also proved invaluable in recruiting the best candidates to represent those communities. Series: "American Politics" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 34994]

Quality data is paramount to ensuring equal representation. If we don’t know who is living in our communities, we can’t create and maintain the systems needed to care for and support those people. In this panel discussion, experts on data collection, Chicano studies and urban planning discuss the challenges of getting good data, and how to turn data into action. This panel was part of a day long symposium celebrating the life and legacy of Leo Estrada, who spent 40-years at the Luskin School of Public Affairs at UCLA. Series: "American Politics" [Public Affairs] [Education] [Show ID: 34993]

The history of the U.S. census is riddled with examples of efforts to exclude immigrants and minorities. Arturo Vargas, president and CEO of the NALEO Educational Fund discusses that history, and the ongoing fight to make sure everyone living in the country is counted fairly and accurately. Vargas focuses much of his talk on the controversial proposal to require undocumented immigrants to identify themselves, which he calls a scare tactic aimed at decreasing representation in Washington. He details other challenges ahead, and what must be done to overcome them. Series: "Immigration" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 34954]

The Trump Administration has an anti-ISIS military policy but has zeroed out reconstruction support for areas that have been liberated from ISIS in Syria. It has an anti-Iranian policy both rhetorically and economically, but it leaves containing the spread of Iran and the Shia militias in Syria to Israel and to the Russians and leaves Israel on its own to deal with the Russians. It has declared it will present a peace plan for the Israelis and Palestinians but at this point is unable to deal directly with the Palestinian Authority. In all these areas, there are elements of a policy but inconsistencies as well. The gap between objectives and means remains wide. Can it be bridged? Will we see an effective strategy for the area? And, what would an effective strategy look like? Dennis Ross will cover all this in his lecture. Series: "Taubman Symposia in Jewish Studies" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 34373]

In this talk, based in part on his forthcoming book, The Trump Administration and International Law (Oxford University Press, 2018), Yale professor Harold Koh discusses the possibility for “denuclearization” on the Korean peninsula. Koh has worked in the highest levels of government, most recently as Legal Adviser and Assistant Secretary of State in the Obama Administration. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 34371]

Women played a huge role in the 2018 midterms. A record number of women were elected to congress, some marking other historic firsts along the way. Women organized massive rallies, and made their voices heard at the polls. So, what can we expect in 2020 and beyond? Former Governor of Michigan Jennifer Granholm and UC Berkeley Public Policy professor Sarah Anzia sit down with PhD student Charlotte Hill to discuss how they see women shaping the future of politics in the United States. Series: "UC Public Policy Channel" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 34399]

Two-term Mayor of San Francisco and Speaker of the California State Assembly Willie Brown discusses the midterm elections and shares his knowledge of California politics, government, and civic life. Series: "UC Public Policy Channel" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 34286]

When Congress reconvenes next year, Democrats will have a majority in the US House of Representatives. How will that change the dynamics in Washington? What does it mean for Congress and President Donald Trump? UC San Diego Professor Emeritus Sanford Lakoff discusses those questions, and other impacts of the 2018 midterm elections. Series: "Osher UC San Diego Distinguished Lecture Series" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 34212]

Professor Robert B. Reich ignites a discussion of the good we have had in common, what happened to it, and what we might do to restore it. His goal is not that we all agree on the common good. It is that we get into the habit of thinking and talking about it, listening to each other’s views and providing a means for people with opposing views to debate these questions civilly. Presented by the Cal Class of 1968 and the Goldman School of Public Policy's Center on Civility & Democratic Engagement (founded by the Class of 1968). Series: "UC Public Policy Channel" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 34277]

UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy professor Robert Reich shares his optimism about the future of the United States. Series: "UC Public Policy Channel" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 34244]