Dialogue Across Difference

Independent music venues across the nation were devastated by COVID - the first to close and among the last to open. In response, venue owners, operators, and musicians banded together to form the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), securing government aid in December 2020. However, many venues are still struggling to get back on their feet. What will it take for live music to return? M...

Observers of state and national politics who lament the lack of racial and ethnic representation of elected officials should pay attention to Minnesota cities. Over the past few elections racially and ethnically diverse candidates have won elections and bring new perspectives to Minnesota city government. A panel of distinguished city officials include: - Councilmember Nadia Mohamed, St. Louis Par...

Money is the gas that pays for the consultants, staff, and advertising that equips candidates and their campaigns to get their messages out. Minnesota's competitive races have drawn increased spending on campaigns in the last two cycles. That's not all. When the campaign season is over and the legislative session begins, outside groups, political parties, and individual donors press their interest...

Commentators report a simple story about Congress: it is rigidly divided like the Hatfields and McCoys. The results are either liberal or conservative legislation or stubborn deadlock. Not so far. Frances Lee finds that bipartisanship remains the key to legislative success on Capitol Hill as does compromise. Professor Lee brings her fresh interpretation of Congress to the current battle in Congres...

It’s fashionable to declare that capitalism is in decline – or even broken - because it isn’t working for those who need it most. But both individual firms and business leaders are now pushing back with exciting proposals for new directions. The next era of capitalism is the topic of an extraordinary conversation with former Best Buy Chairman and CEO Hubert Joly who makes the case for “shareholder...

Things have not gone well for the Republican Party. It lost the races for president and control of both houses of Congress after the two Democrats won the Georgia runoff elections. Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty joins us to make the case for changing the GOP's current direction. He argues that the winning path combines conservative principles and populism to modernize the Republican brand....

How will President Biden proceed administratively and legislatively to build on the ACA? Will advocates for the Public Option prevail and, if they fail, will they be pragmatic or stop any reform? How will health care providers and the larger health care industry respond? And, by the way, the Supreme Court will be deciding a lawsuit aimed at declaring the ACA unconstitutional—again. One of Washingt...

This webinar covers key changes in absentee and mail voting last year, as well as in-person voting options like early voting and vote centers. How are states responding this year—staying the course, returning to previous norms, or fine-tuning their processes? The event is co-hosted by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the Humphrey School's Certificate in Election Administrat...

Donald Trump tapped a reservoir of radical hate by scapegoating immigrants and Black Americans victimized by police violence, lying about the presidential election results, and mobilizing a mob to assault Congress. Even as Trump swung away, a powerful story about American democracy emerged. The 2020 election demonstrated the durability of law, the courage of the free press, and the civic determina...

President Joe Biden entered the White House with dire news blasting around him. The coronavirus continues its rampage across America, and the economy is on its knees. The President's much-promised "unity" is being tested by opposition from Republicans and Democrats, who either want more progressive or moderate policies. What are President Biden's prospects? Washington sage Norm Ornstein joins us,...

James Hohmann joins us the day before Joe Biden's inauguration to preview its organization and significance. Drawing on his experiences in Washington, he also discusses Donald Trump's likely impact on the Biden administration and Republican Party and previews the new president's prospects to advance his policy agenda.

The path to empowering Black people lies in the growth of Black equity, wealth, and capital. A growing number of feasible strategies offer a tangible path forward to create financial systems and structures that work equally well for everyone. Prof. Larry Jacobs moderates a conversation with Gary Cunningham, President and CEO of Prosperity Now.

Kate DiCamillo, writer of stories for children, visits to read from her work and talk about the solace and hope that literature offers. The two-time Newbery Award winner is joined by John Schumacher, part-time lecturer at Rutgers University and the Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic, who will moderate this special event.

Nationally renowned writer Charles Baxter reads and discusses his just-released novel, The Sun Collective, which introduces us to compelling characters who struggle to make sense of a disorienting world and—against the backdrop of the Twin Cities—to form meaningful relationships and communities. U of M English professor and novelist Julie Schumacher moderates a reading and conversation with Baxter...

Join us for a discussion of U.S. foreign policy with Jake Sullivan, incoming National Security Advisor for President-elect Biden and a former deputy chief of staff for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Former Vice President Walter Mondale will join the conversation; Professor Larry Jacobs will moderate.

The 2020 elections whipped up animosity toward pollsters. What did pollsters get wrong? What did they get right? And, why aren't pollsters more accurate? Larry Jacobs is joined by two national stars - prominent survey researcher Columbia University's Robert Y. Shapiro and Kathy Frankovic, former CBS polling chief.

"Democracy is dying" has become a watchword in America today. The reality is that American democracy has endured recurrent crises since the 1790s. Suzanne Mettler joins us to reveal the unique threat today - the worst features of past decay and disruption are all present today. Suzanne Mettler is the John L. Senior Professor of American Institutions at Cornell University. She is an award-winning a...

Globalization can be both good and bad, but it is not something that individuals or countries can opt out of. The next president will face enormous challenges on numerous fronts. How can American interests be realistically advanced? Join Richard Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations and former advisor to Secretary of State Colin Powell and President George H.W. Bush, for a discussio...

Republican strategist Vin Weber and Democratic strategist Justin Buoen discuss the election results that are reported on Election Day and anticipate the coming battles over the counting of ballots. Professor Larry Jacobs will moderate.

Republican strategist Vin Weber and Democratic strategist Justin Buoen break down the final week of the 2020 national elections.

Donald Trump promised to "Make America Great Again" and yet disarray and decline abound. Over the past 6 months, the President failed to slow the Coronavirus as our allies have done and the economic decline set a record. Still more profoundly, the President and his political allies have undercut the sources of American prosperity and global influence - our cutting edge education and scientific inf...

A record number of women ran in the Democratic presidential nominating contest in 2020; Senator Kamala Harris is running for Vice President; and a record number of women are running for the U.S. Congress in 2020. Yet, women are still underrepresented at every level of office, and two white men are vying for the Presidency. What explains women's gains, persistent underrepresentation, and the future...

Former Senator Al Franken joins us to talk about the approaching elections and what the Coronavirus reveals about America.

For generations, the U.S. Attorneys General have described the Justice Department as serving the broad interests of the American people—instead of a political tool of the sitting president. Attorney General William Barr stands out to his critics as one of the country's most partisan Attorneys General, repeatedly serving the political and personal interests of President Trump. As the U.S. faces a d...

Good elections are secure elections—but what does that mean? Does it mean that election processes help eligible people vote, while thwarting anyone else? Does it mean accurate vote tabulation—and being able to prove that the counting was done right? Does it mean keeping voters safe at the polls? Does it mean giving the voting public a sense of security in a time of disinformation and misinformatio...