Carnegie Council Podcasts

How do human beings make moral decisions? Sometimes we go with our emotions and "think fast" and sometimes we use reason and "think slow." Neuroscientist Joshua Greene's research shows that for problems within small groups, its best to think fast. But for global problems between larger groups, we need to learn to think slow.

Journalist, novelist, entrepreneur, cultural critic, award-winning radio broadcaster--all of these describe Kurt Andersen. In this lively conversation, he talks about his career (including being fired by "New York" magazine for writing about Wall Street); the lasting effects of the 1960s; American politics today; Edward Snowden; and much more.

"America has strayed pretty far from the pioneer spirit captured by Willa Cather and the movie 'Shane,'" says Nobel Prize-winner Edmund Phelps. What happened? Phelps argues that since the 1960s, there has been a resurgence of certain traditional and anti-modern values. This has resulted in "a new corporatism," which stifles innovation.

Simon Winchester tells of the men--some famous, but most of them forgotten--who united America. They did it through geological surveys and maps, canals, railways, highways, telegraph, and radio, and their stories are both fascinating and surprising.

"Our goal is to truly provide justice to incredibly courageous women and girls who have suffered things that make us uncomfortable. They have suffered things that are hard to speak out loud." In this wise, inspiring talk, Miller-Muro tackles uncomfortable ethical questions, such as cultural relativism and our responsibilities towards those in trouble.

Any attempts to tackle the problems of long-term refugees will have to address occupancy rights. Why do we have the right to live in a particular place, and what are we owed when those rights are violated? For example, if the Palestinians have a right of return, what's the basis of that right? Does it hold the same for second-generation refugees as for first?

We should break free of the cliché that World War I was futile, argues Max Hastings. "Germany in 1914, as ruled by the Kaiser and his generals and ministers, represented a malign force whose triumph had to be frustrated."

"There are values that those of us from Western liberal societies hold dear and believe should be universal. But they're not. And that produces the challenges. If they were, then things would be a lot easier."

How much does the U.S. actually spend on defense and where does that money go? Lawrence Korb, an expert on the federal budget, the military, and national security, discusses the tough choices the U.S. needs to make on defense spending; relations with Iran; Syria; NATO; and nuclear weapons.

The last declaration of war authorized by Congress was World War II, yet the U.S. has been entangled in many wars since. Why have presidents been allowed to sidestep Congress for the last 70 years? The  U.S. should have an agreed-upon set of guidelines for going to war, says Marvin Kalb. It should not be left up to presidents to decide.