American Politics

David Beckmann explains the purpose of his “Poverty, God, Politics” series—to highlight spiritual and political strategies that can move us from the current crisis in a way that puts us on track to end hunger and poverty. They are drawn from a joint seminar on poverty, communities of faith, and politics cosponsored by UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy and the Church Divinity School of the Pacific.

David then discusses two foundational insights from his years as president of Bread for the World—that dramatic progress against poverty is possible, and that faith communities can help change the politics of poverty. Series: "The Goldman School - Berkeley Public Policy" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 36986]

Four former Secretaries of Homeland Security discuss current issues in homeland security, the overlap between security and politics, and how our country can move forward by embracing the challenges—and opportunities—the Biden-Harris administration will face in their first year. Panelists: Michael Chertoff (2005-2009), Jeh Johnson (2013-2017), Janet Napolitano (2009-2013), Tom Ridge (2003-2005). Moderator: Doug Wilson. Series: "Public Policy and Society" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 36811]

Marion Nestle, Goddard Professor in the Department of Nutrition at New York University, discusses the U.S. food industry being in a highly competitive environment where profits are paramount and public health is not a priority. Series: "Excerpts" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 36753]

General H.R. McMaster ranks among his generation's most distinguished scholar-soldiers. An acclaimed historian, his military service has spanned from West Point to Iraq and Afghanistan, to the Pentagon and the Oval Office. Now a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, General McMaster is the author of Battlegrounds (2020). In conversation with Lowell Bergman, he discusses challenges facing the Free World and the case for responsible US leadership in world affairs. Series: "Public Policy and Society" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 36567]

Robert Reich reflects on the recent election; the presidential contest and initiative results. He also discusses UBI, income inequality and what he'd like to see in a Biden administration. Recih is a former Labor Secretary and currently Professor of Public Policy at the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley. Series: "Public Policy and Society" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 36611]

For the final session of the semester, we offer a discussion of very local politics in the most famous (infamous?) small city in America. Everyone knows of Berkeley, and everyone seems to have strong feelings about it, especially if they don’t actually live here. So we talk with a former UC Berkeley student who is now a member of the Berkeley City Council and think about our small town and what it is like to serve in public office.

Berkeley City Councilmember Rigel Robinson was elected to represent District 7 on November 6th, 2018. Elected at 22, Robinson is the youngest person to ever serve on the Berkeley City Council. Prior to his election, Robinson was a leader in student efforts to support development of more affordable housing and student housing, divest the University of California from the Dakota Access Pipeline, oust a UC Regent accused of sexual harassment, and secure additional state funding for the UC and the first tuition decrease in 20 years. Series: "Public Policy and Society" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 36296]

Today’s lecture takes a look ahead at the leading challenges and opportunities facing American democracy in this moment. We begin with a discussion of Trump’s refusal to admit defeat in the presidential election and the conspiracy theories and rising white male violence that are emerging out of the realignment of the defeated white power wing of the Republican party. Here we are confronted with the role played by conspiracy theories in the politics of the right and the threat to multiracial democracy posed by Trump’s defeated authoritarianism. This discussion is followed by a focus on the Black women who won Georgia for the Democrats. We consider how they achieved this remarkable goal through organizing and what this model of direct voter engagement portends for the future of democracy in America. Series: "Public Policy and Society" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 36293]

To help us break down this weekend’s victory of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the 2020 presidential race, we are honored to have local hero and Black feminist activist Alicia Garza. Alicia Garza is an organizer and political strategist based in Oakland, California, where she is the principle at the Black Futures Lab and the Black to the Future Action Fund. She is, along with Opal Tometi and Patrisse Cullors, the co-creator of #BlackLivesMatter and the Black Lives Matter Global Network. She is also director of strategy for the National Domestic Workers Alliance and host of the podcast Lady Don’t Take No. Most recently, she is the author of The Purpose of Power: How We Come Together When We Fall Apart. Series: "Public Policy and Society" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 36295]

What just happened? What happens next? As Americans wake up to a still uncertain presidential race, we take on these critical questions as we both look back to the election and its outcome, while beginning to plan for what is to come from the immediate needs for political mobilizations to long term visions of what kinds of politics are needed. Series: "Public Policy and Society" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 36292]

What should we expect on election day? What should we look for in the early results and how long will it take before we know who won the Presidential race, the US Senate and all of California’s ballot measures? What should we do – besides vote – to help ensure that every vote is counted and that the democratic process works as it should? How has the election impacted immigrant populations and the process of naturalization? What is happening in Arizona right now? These questions and more are taken up today in our Pre-Election Day preview. The election ends on November 2nd, but the fight to determine who governs and how is about to begin. So start rolling that 10-sided dice, stay hydrated, make yourself a plan for election day, and get prepared to defend our democracy. Series: "Public Policy and Society" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 36291]