Dialogue Across Difference

How does representative democracy in practice hold up to academic theories of how democratic representation should work? Lisa Disch is a professor of democratic theory who has crossed over to serve in government as a City Council member in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a middle-sized bright blue college town in a purplish state. Councilmember Disch reports on what the academy is missing or just gets wrong.

Animosity toward Joe Biden is at record highs among Republicans as they were among Democrats toward Donald Trump when he was in the White House. In the 2024 presidential election, we are likely to see more than 9 out of 10 voters who identify with the Democrat and Republican parties vote for their party's candidate. Why are Americans so polarized? Will voters defect from their Democratic or Republ...

Joe Biden joined the United Auto Workers on a Detroit picket line, a historic first for a sitting President. Thousands of workers have voted in favor of unions at Amazon and Starbucks, and public support for unions approaches an all-time high. But the share of workers represented by a union declined last year. Why isn't unionization growing? Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham, University o...

Does American democracy face dire ongoing challenges that threaten honest elections and effective government responsive to the majority? While the 2020 and 2022 elections were fair, doubters continue to spread unfounded charges of massive election fraud, restrict voter access, and subvert honest election administration and tabulations. What responses are appropriate and feasible? Join us for a liv...

Polls show Biden and Trump in a toss up, if both run again. Both candidates showcase weakness: Biden's disapproval ratings are high for the economy and inflation and his age remains an issue while Trump is likely to be campaigning from a courtroom and may struggle among swing voters. Third-party candidates are lining up who may drain votes from both sides. Meanwhile, will the chronic chaos in the...

Vice President Walter Mondale was a pioneer in US housing policy. He championed the Fair Housing Act (1968) to outlaw discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, sex, and family status. How has this landmark law for fair housing impacted our challenges today with affordability and access? How does the Fair Housing Act empower communities today? This extraordinary program brings togeth...

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has made excellence in education a top priority and his Secretary of Education, Aimee Rogstad Guidera, is responsible for making this vision a reality in the state's schools. The foundation of their work is the conviction that parents matter in all decisions impacting a child's health, education, and well being. Congressman Vin Weber and Professor Larry Jacobs mode...

The lack of right-of-center professors on University campuses limits the range of ideas explored, stifles debate, and may discourage students from articulating and pursuing conservative ideas. One promising approach to restoring balance is to build within universities programs and centers devoted to exploring the key questions of social and political life without ruling out conservative answers. T...

In the inaugural Nakasaka Dialogue, Thomas Friedman and Professor Larry Jacobs discuss the major issues facing the U.S. and the world. The Nakasaka Dialogues stimulate conversations about the state of public life and encourage progress toward our shared bonds.

From the 1800s through the middle of the 2Oth century, federated fraternal orders based in regularly meeting local lodges and supralocal headquarters and conventions allowed Americans of all backgrounds to combine for mutual aid and civic assertion. African Americans were super-organizers and joiners within this fraternal world. Forming federations that spanned states, regions, and often the natio...

Partisan gridlock in the U.S. Senate, exemplified by the present day, “no-effort” filibuster, has made it difficult for the Senate to pass meaningful legislation and respond to the needs of the country. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) favors the "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" solution - talk. Senators who want to filibuster should need to stand up on the floor of the Senate to hold up action on bi...

The Democrats' success in the 2022 elections gave them full control of Minnesota state government for the first time since 2014 and a long list of priorities to act on. So far, this legislative session has been one of the busiest in recent history. Join us for a conversation with political reporters Briana Bierschbach of the Star Tribune and Brian Bakst of MPR on what the Minnesota Legislature is...

Access to Health Care After the Pandemic Emergency by Dialogue Across Difference Podcast by Center for the Study of Politics and Governance

A New Congress is sworn in on January 3, 2023 with a profound change: Republicans are in the majority in the US House of Representatives. What will be the consequences for domestic and foreign policy and politics? A terrific panel featuring Sarah Binder, Kathryn Pearson, and Michael Minta will explore.

Hateful conflict permeates our politics and, too often, our private lives. It infects our ability to think clearly and consumes our time and energy. Amanda Ripley's groundbreaking journalism and books are being taken up by citizens and legislators to chart a new way forward. In this conversation with the award-winning Krista Tippett - a collaboration between On Being and the Humphrey School of Pub...

How will the headwinds facing Democrats play out in the state's legislative races this fall? Will Republicans be able to win back the Minnesota House and the Governorship? Star Tribune political reporter Briana Bierschbach and political science professor Kathryn Pearson discuss the latest news and predictions of Minnesota's state elections.

Latinx voters are the fastest growing voting block of the US. electorate. How will they influence the outcome of the upcoming 2022 midterm elections? Mark Hugo Lopez of the Pew Research Center will examine the attitudes and voting patterns of this diverse group of voters.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, Chairwoman of the Senate Rules Committee, is leading efforts to secure voting rights and protect our democracy. Join us to hear her speak about the state of American democracy, its future, and what we as citizens can do to protect it.

Voting in the midterm elections is under way. Will Democrats hold control over Congress or will a "wave" election sweep Republicans to House and Senate majorities? Prominent national campaign consultants Rebecca Pearcey and Kirsten Kukowski break down the strategies and odds facing each party in the 2022 elections.

Election officials are facing threats from people who work in or around election systems. This “Insider Threat” poses new challenges to address. Colorado’s experience dealing with an Insider Threat led to legislation earlier this year both to protect election systems and those who do the protecting. Dr. Judd Choate, Colorado’s Election Director and Humphrey School CEA faculty member, will lay out...

Keith Ellison and Norm Ornstein discuss how to integrate mental health awareness into public safety moving forward. *The first minute of audio did not record, so the audio will begin with the conversation already in progress

Minnesota can reduce incarceration and improve police performance by taking mental health seriously. Sound far-fetched? It’s happening in Miami-Dade County where Judge Steve Leifman has transformed the way the criminal justice system and police respond to people with serious mental illness. A remarkable conversation will identify how Minnesota can join the revolution in public safety-- saving live...

New Minneapolis Community Safety Commissioner Dr. Cedric Alexander sits down with Professor Larry Jacobs and Norm Ornstein to discuss the future of Public Safety in Minneapolis and how to integrate mental health awareness.

Minnesota Congressman Tom Emmer (6th CD) chairs the National Republican Campaign Committee. Congressman Emmer is leading the GOP effort to retake the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. He discusses his work in Congress and the NRCC with Professor Larry Jacobs.

Are you ready for the 2022 Elections? Prominent political consultants from the Democratic and Republican parties preview the upcoming midterm elections and how both parties are strategizing for them.