Spring 2013
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January
JAN. 15 COFFEE & POLITICS
The Three Worlds of Postwar American Politics
The most recent era is characterized by unified partisan control, but tending to swing between Republicans and Democrats. How does this understanding of the American political landscape help us grapple with the politics of today and put the Obama presidency in perspective? View More
JAN. 17 COFFEE & POLITICS
Science, Ethics, and Democracy
What are the ethical issues raised when making public policy decisions that are informed by scientific knowledge?Allen Buchanan, James B. Duke Professor of Philosophy and Professor of Law at Duke University, explores this question. View More
February
FEB. 5 COFFEE & POLITICS
Faustian Bargains: The Politics of Immigration Reform
Dan Tichenor argues that for more than a decade, most Americans have agreed that the nation’s immigration system is “broken” while political battles in Washington have made comprehensive reform unlikely. View More
FEB. 7 COFFEE & POLITICS
Terrorism in Mali: Conflict and Military Intervention in Sahel
Recent developments in Mali, including the growing policy rift between the Pentagon, favor stronger American military involvement, and the Obama White House, which appears to be taking a more cautious approach. View More
FEB. 19 COFFEE & POLITICS
Political Bubbles & Financial Crises
Demonstrating how political bubbles helped create the real estate-generated financial bubble and the 2008 financial crisis, Professor Rosenthal argues that similar government oversights in the aftermath of the crisis undermined Washington’s response. View More
FEB. 22 OLYMPIA SYMPOSIUM
Women in Politics: Challenges and Successes
The state of Washington has traditionally been at the forefront of electing women to public office. However, that success has not been replicated across the country, and has been uneven in Washington. View More
FEB. 26 COFFEE & POLITICS
Is Gun Control Necessary?
Recent shootings in schools and public spaces have placed a dialogue about gun policy legislation firmly in the spotlight. Our panel includes Robin Ball, an election volunteer coordinator for the National Rifle Association, and Daniel Byrne, a voluntary spokesperson for the non-profit organization Washington CeaseFire. View More
FEB. 28 COFFEE & POLITICS
Political Polarization in Europe
in addition to the recent debt crisis, there has also been a rise in extreme political parties in many parts of the continent. What is the role of the EU in maintaining political unity in Europe? View More
March
MARCH 9 FOLEY DISTINGUISHED LECTURE
The Era of Political Instability
Renowned scholar and political commentator Morris P. Fiorina will discuss what the 2012 election means in historical context. View More
April
APRIL 9 COFFEE & POLITICS
Tension with the Federal Government: Marijuana, Marriage Equality, and Hanford
How does the attorney general work with the federal government to solve important issues facing Washington State such as marijuana use, marriage equality, and the ongoing cleanup at Hanford? Bob Ferguson is Washington’s 18th Attorney General. View More
APRIL 18 BUSINESS POLICY SYMPOSIUM- CO-Sponsored by the Carson College of Business
Budget Crisis and Grand Bargains
With Democrats and Republicans entrenched, a long-term budget agreement will be difficult to reach. Our panel of experts discussed the possibilities involving entitlement reform, revenue increases, and further budget cuts. View More
APRIL 19 COFFEE & POLITICS
Talking with Terrorists
Dr. Elena Mastors explores political psychology and is the Dean of the School of Security and Global Studies at American Military University. View More
APRIL 22 COFFEE & POLITICS
Stop Watching Fox News! Can we affect people’s preferences for like-minded information?
Do the media determine a person’s political ideology or does a person’s politics determine the type of news they watch? View More
APRIL 22 MEDIA & POLITICS SYMPOSIUM Co-Sponsored with the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication
The Media and Political Polarization
A distinguished panel of experts will discuss how the media influences political attitudes. Does the media reflect or create greater political polarization? View More