The Monroe Doctrine: a lecture with Dr. Philip Brenner

Enacted in 1823 but still relevant under the Trump administration, what is the Monrow Doctrine? Today’s episode features Dr. Philip Brenner, director of the US Foreign Policy Program and professor at American University. Dr. Brenner discusses not only the unique role the Monroe Doctrine has played in shaping the complex and one-sided diplomatic history of the United States in Latin and South America, but also its relevance today.

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A Thanksgiving Dinner Survival Guide: The Importance of Conversation with Pearce Godwin

On today's episode, we have on Pearce Godwin, a UNC Alumnus and creator/CEO of the National Conversation Project. After receiving acclaim for his impromptu article titled ‘It’s Time to Listen’, he went on to create the 'National Conversation Project', which seeks to have people #listenfirst from all over the globe. His #listenfirst pledge has signees from all over mainstream media, politics, and sports. Signees include Van Jones, Fareed Zakaria, Dominique Wilkins, Johnathan Haidt, and Katie Couric. We discuss how to navigate politics in a contentious moment that approaches us all: thanksgiving dinner. In on this episode are Co-Hosts Noah Upchurch and Sina Shanizadeh, along with Chris West and esteemed guest Pearce Godwin.

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Criminal and Retributive Justice: Rethinking Blame with Professor Erin Kelly

On this episode we are excited to welcome Professor Erin Kelly of Tufts University.  Her work has been instrumental in identifying the wrongs of our current American penal and judicial systems. Our conversation dives into the core issues that ground retributive judgement and blame within our current system. Join us in our ongoing conversation about the theory, problems, and possible solutions for the criminal justice system in America.

Citations:

Kelly, Erin. (2018). The Limits of Blame: Rethinking Punishment and Responsibility. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Prison Policy. (2019). Recidivism and Reentry webpage. Retrieved from https://www.prisonpolicy.org/research/recidivism_and_reentry/

Borger, Julian. (2005). US Becomes Last Country to End Death Penalty For Under-18s. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/mar/02/usa.julianborger

Bountyhunter.edu (2019). How to Become a Bail Bondsman. Retrieved from https://www.bountyhunteredu.org/how-to-become-a-bail-bondsman/#eligibility

Professor Kelly’s website: https://as.tufts.edu/philosophy/people/faculty/kelly

Brexit: Witnessing Political Fission

Great Britain threatens the world order with their decision to leave the EU. Will they actually leave? What are the arguments for and against? Here to break down the ramifications of the brexit phenomenon is former London School of Economics professor and current assistant professor at Carolina, Dr. Alex Marcoci. Key players are “dead in a ditch” Boris Johnson, the European Union, Irish terrorists, and the largest conglomerate of banks in the world. In the first episode we detail the background of brexit. The second dives into 1. the paradoxical problems that Ireland, the small island, pose and 2. if Brexit represents an inherit failure with democratic systems. We hope you enjoy!

On this episode: Noah Upchurch, Sina Shanizadeh, Chris West, and Dr. Alexandru Marcoci

Citations:

BBC News. (October, 2019). Brexit: All you need to know about the UK leaving the EU. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-32810887

Morgan, Russ. (May, 2019). ‘Brexperts’ can earn £80 an hour explaining Brexit to those who are confused. theSpectator.com. Retrieved fromhttps://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2019/05/brexperts-can-earn-80-an-hour-explaining-brexit-to-those-who-are-confused/

Brexit: Witnessing Political Fission

Great Britain threatens the world order with their decision to leave the EU. Will they actually leave? What are the arguments for and against? Here to break down the ramifications of the brexit phenomenon is former London School of Economics professor and current assistant professor at Carolina, Dr. Alex Marcoci. Key players are “dead in a ditch” Boris Johnson, the European Union, Irish terrorists, and the largest conglomerate of banks in the world. In the first episode we detail the background of brexit. The second dives into 1. the paradoxical problems that Ireland, the small island, pose and 2. if Brexit represents an inherit failure with democratic systems. We hope you enjoy!

On this episode: Noah Upchurch, Sina Shanizadeh, Chris West, and Dr. Alexandru Marcoci

Citations:

BBC News. (October, 2019). Brexit: All you need to know about the UK leaving the EU. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-32810887

Morgan, Russ. (May, 2019). ‘Brexperts’ can earn £80 an hour explaining Brexit to those who are confused. theSpectator.com. Retrieved fromhttps://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2019/05/brexperts-can-earn-80-an-hour-explaining-brexit-to-those-who-are-confused/

In this episode we talk privacy. Under discussion is the recently released Motherboard report, which shines light on how the DMV has been selling citizens' data to third parties. It truly is a crazy time we live in! Do investigators have your address and license plate number? Join us on this quick journey into DMV profiteering, individual rights, and government sketchiness as a whole.

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In today's episode, Sina, Noah, and Xzavier question why supremacy has persisted throughout history. We explore historical causes and philosophical justifications. 

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History of the White Patriots in NC:

Racism behind the Star Spangled Banner:

Films on African American struggle/oppression:

Hobbes on the state of nature and security:

For further discussion on terrorism and a look on how the UK uses its courts to define terrorism:

For further discussion on segregation and how the US divided black and white communities:

In todays episode, Anna, Noah, Sina, and Xzavier will be discussing power. Is it ever justified to hold power? Can power be used to achieve morally good goals? What can you get away with when you have power? These are some of the questions that we have about the world we live in. We will be using the Russia vs. Ukraine conflict as an example as we work through this problem.