ussenate

Despite making up roughly half of the U.S. population, women only make up about one-quarter of representatives and senators. And this trend is not just national—it holds true globally as well. What explains why women are underrepresented in politics? If women are just as likely to win elections as men do, then why are they less likely to run for office?

In a recent paper, "Modeling Theories of Women's Underrepresentation in Elections," University of Chicago Professors Scott Ashworth, Christopher Berry and Ethan Bueno de Mesquita explore the facts and theories around why women are elected less than men in U.S. politics. In this episode, we speak with Ashworth, a Professor in the Harris School of Public Policy.

My guest on this episode of the podcast is Representative Malcolm Kenyatta. Rep. Kenyatta  is the first openly LGBTQ person of color and one of the youngest members elected to the PA General Assembly. In our wide ranging conversation we talk his childhood in Philadelphia, his relationship with his late Mother,  the issues close to his heart including  creating an equitable and inclusive society, and his campaign for US Senator in Pennsylvania. 

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The debate about abolishing the filibuster isn’t going anywhere. Proponents say it forces compromise and consensus, while detractors claim it leads to gridlock and minority rule. But is there a third option?  

Harvard scholar, Kenneth Shepsle, has a radically different proposal that addresses all these concerns without abolishing the filibuster altogether. We discuss his idea on this episode.