Polarization is one of contemporary society’s most vexing issues. Many of us lean left, many of us lean right, and online at least, there’s a wide gap in between – and it seems to only be getting wider. Lots of experts argue the fix is easy: we need to break out of our social media […]
Politics
Ep. 107: Getting Cash Payments to Millions of Americans? Easier Said than Done
On the week of March 21st, 2020, over 3.3 million Americans claimed unemployment, nearly 5 times the highest weekly number from the entire 2008 recession. Remarkable until you realize that the following week that number of people filing for unemployment doubled. And the numbers continue to rise. Discussions about providing direct cash payments to Americans […]
Ep. 106 He Predicted a Pandemic
On January 30, 2020 the World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in response to the rapid spread of COVID-19. The pandemic has grown rapidly, and the United States has quickly become the epicenter. Yamey is a professor at the Duke Sanford School of Public Policy and director of The Center […]
Ep. 99 The Connection Between Medicaid and Democracy
Medicaid is one of the largest social welfare programs in the United States. With over 70 million people enrolled, it covers 20 percent of the US population. Though the program is federal, it’s implemented by the state and some states offer generous benefits while others do not. Professor Jamila Michener argues these disparities are actually […]
Ep. 98 Getting Out the Vote on Campus
The number of college students across the nation who voted in the midterms doubled between 2014 and 2018. At Duke University, the voting rate was even higher – it jumped 114 percent. We explore how that jump happened and what specific strategies other colleges could use to increase their own student voting rates. Sanford School […]
Ep. 94 A Conversation with a Young State Legislator
Jacob Bachmeier serves in Montana’s House of Representatives. He was just 18 when he was elected. A classmate was his campaign manager. At the time of his election, he was the youngest state lawmaker in the country. Guest host: Gunther Peck of Duke University’s Hart Leadership Program Sanford School @ Duke · A Conversation with […]