On this AEI Events Podcast, AEI hosts an expert panel to examine the merits and drawback of reintroducing, reforming, or avoiding congressional earmarking. This event is moderated by AEI’s Gary J. Schmitt, and participants include Jay Cost of the Weekly Standard, Jason Grumet of the Bipartisan Policy Center, and Frances Lee representing the University of Maryland College Park.

Congress approved a moratorium on earmarks in 2010 in face of accusations of wasteful spending and transactional politics powerfully invoked by the controversy over the “bridge to nowhere.” In the years since, Congress has suffered from an inability to solve hard problems. Numerous congressional reformers connect this gridlock in part to the absence of earmarks, which gave elected legislators “skin in the game” and an incentive to deliberate about bipartisan policymaking. Others argue that a return to earmarks will only complicate the legislative agenda and potentially further enhance the public’s skepticism about Congress and its members. Join the conversation here.

AEI’s Gary Schmitt makes the opening remarks (0:55), Frances Lee kicks off the discussion (5:38), Jay Cost shares his thoughts (16:39), Jason Grumet offers his take (32:19), Gary raises questions (42:49), and audience Q&A (1:00:34).

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This event took place on March 20, 2018.

On this AEI Events Podcast, AEI hosts Derek Kan, Under Secretary for Policy at the Department of Transportation. Kan outlines the details of the Trump administration’s infrastructure plan. Following his remarks, AEI’s R. Richard Geddes leads a discussion among infrastructure policy experts to review the main elements of the proposal and the future of US infrastructure policy.

The Trump administration released its long-awaited infrastructure plan on February 12. The plan includes $200 billion in federal spending to incentivize $1.5 trillion in new infrastructure investment nationally. It would streamline environmental permitting, create incentives for state and local governments to raise more revenue, and support greater use of public-private partnerships and other mechanisms to facilitate private participation in infrastructure delivery.

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This podcast features introductory remarks from R. Richard Geddes (1:01), following remarks from Under Secretary Derek Kan (7:57), audience Q&A (20:14), a panel discussion (35:08), and a final audience Q&A (1:14:29).

Panelists include Kevin DeGood from the Center for American Progress, Joung Lee from American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Robert Poole from the Reason Foundation, and Matt Rose from the BNSF Railway Company.

This event took place on March 22, 2018.

On this AEI Events Podcast, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) joins AEI’s Leon Aron for the release of “To Have and to Hold: Putin’s Quest for Control in the Former Soviet Empire,” (AEI 2018), detailing the military, political, economic, and social vulnerabilities of six of Russia’s neighboring countries. Following opening remarks, a panel of experts weigh-in to address looming implications for US and European policy.

On the eve of his reelection, President Vladimir Putin has the world wondering what the political, diplomatic, and military fallout could be for the near future. Will the near-stagnant economy, Western sanctions, and diplomatic pressure lead to a more restrained Russian foreign policy? Or will Putin continue an aggressive, interventionist track to bolster his popularity at home? If aggression against post-Soviet states is key to Putin’s search for legitimacy, which countries are most at risk?

Leon Aron and Seth Moulton begin the conversation (1:01), audience Q&A (22:29), the panel discussion begins (30:50), and audience Q&A for the panel (1:11:01).

This event took place on March 14, 2018.

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On this AEI Events Podcast, AEI welcomes Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) alongside an esteemed panel to discuss “The Numbers Behind the Opioid Epidemic,” a report from the Joint Economic Committee’s Social Capital Project.

The Social Capital Project of the Joint Economic Committee is a multiyear research effort investigating the quality of the nation’s associational life — a term applied to the web of social relationships such as families, communities, and workplaces. A recent report from the project titled “The Numbers Behind the Opioid Crisis” suggests that a focus on economic sources of despair is unlikely to be productive and that social disrepair is the stronger force.

Along with remarks from Scott Winship of the Joint Economic Committee and Yuval Levin of National Affairs, AEI’s Sally Satel joins Sen. Lee to offer an overview of the crisis, highlighting both the intensity and the scope of its impact. Sen. Lee further discusses potential solutions to the opioid epidemic, such as the importance of community engagement and productive means of recovery.

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Ryan Streeter kicks off the event (0:56), Mike Lee takes the stage (2:30), first audience Q&A (29:27), the panel joins the conversation (33:01), followed by another audience Q&A of the panel (1:09:05).

This event took place on March 13, 2018.

On this AEI Events Podcast, Amy Wax of the University of Pennsylvania Law School joins AEI to discuss the state of debate and disagreement in academia today, reflecting on the value of reasoned dialogue and civil debate.

Illiberalism is ascendant in academia. Reasoned dialogue and civil debate, once considered the essence of university life, are giving way to ad hominem mudslinging and appeals to emotion.

Amy Wax of the University of Pennsylvania Law School experienced this after coauthoring an op-ed arguing that the decline of bourgeois norms has wreaked cultural havoc. Statements, letters, and petitions poured forth accusing her of racism, sexism, and every genre of bigotry imaginable. Additionally, 33 of her colleagues signed a letter denouncing — but not debating, or even engaging with — her article and “categorically reject[ing] all her claims.”

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This event features an introduction from AEI’s Sally Satel (0:41) followed by a lecture from Amy Wax from Univerisity of Pennsylvania’s Law School (4:41). Audience Q&A follows Wax’s lecture (31:00).

This event took place on February 20, 2018

On this AEI Events Podcast, AEI hosts Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT). Chairman Hatch gave remarks on the recently passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, discussing the impact of the new tax plan and what it means for the American economy moving forward.

Following Chairman Hatch’s remarks, an expert panel moderated by AEI’s Alan Viard gave their opinions on the tax reform plan. Panelists include AEI’s Alex Brill, Maya MacGuineas president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, director of federal projects at the Tax Foundation Kyle Pomerleau, and chief economist and contributing editor for Tax Analysts’ daily Martin A. Sullivan.

In December, Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the most sweeping overhaul of America’s tax code in more than 30 years. How will the reduction in the corporate income tax rate and other features of the new tax law affect the US economy?

This event took place on March 1, 2018.

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This AEI Events Podcast brings you a dynamic and thought-provoking keynote conversation on American education and workforce development featuring Gov. Doug Ducey (R-AZ) and Arizona State University President Michael Crow. This keynote was part of an event hosted at Arizona State convening some of the nation’s foremost education and labor experts.

Globalization, automation, and other emerging technologies are poised to reshape the workplace, the workforce, and work itself. The skills needed today and in the future are dramatically different from those demanded in the past. These changes merit a broader and more responsive education system with stronger alignment to employer needs and more flexibility for individuals seeking new skills as they move from one job to another.

This AEI Events Podcast features introductory remarks from AEI’s Ryan Streeter, followed by a Keynote conversation with guests Michael Crow of Arizona State University and Gov. Doug Ducey (R-AZ). Coverage of the full event is available here.

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Ryan Streeter introduces the guests (0:41), the keynote begins (3:18), and one quick question from the audience (50:52).

This event took place on February 28, 2018.

On this AEI Events Podcast, researchers and college leaders met at AEI to discuss the connection between education and employment and how to improve the liberal arts degree.

How can the liberal arts become more valuable for students and employers? How can community colleges and universities incorporate more skills-building opportunities into their programs? How can institutions fashion tighter connections between education and employment? Join AEI’s Mark Schneider and Ryan Streeter, accompanied by expert panelists, to discuss the consequences of rising education costs, and how institutions can fashion tighter connections between education and employment.

This event features opening remarks from AEI’s Ryan Streeter (1:09), and is moderated by Goldie Blumenstyk from Chronicle of Higher Education (4:06, Panel I) and Jeffery J. Selingo from Arizona State University (43:47, Panel II). Panelists include AEI’s Mark Schneider, Matthew Sigelman, Cheryl Hyman, Carol Quillen, and Monty E. Sullivan. The panel is followed by an audience Q&A (1:13:36).

This event took place on February 2, 2018.

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On this AEI Events Podcast, Economic policy experts discuss the regulatory challenges that bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies pose. A panel discussion, moderated by Alex J. Pollock of R Street Institute, features experts Jerry Dwyer, Bert Ely, AEI’s Paul H. Kupiec, and Hadley Stern.

The rise and fall in the price of bitcoin and competing cryptocurrencies make headlines daily. Are bitcoin and its competitors viable currencies or just a fad that will fade if a speculative bubble bursts? Is the underlying blockchain technology that makes bitcoin possible an important financial innovation? Do cryptocurriencies create economic value, or are they valuable because they hide transactions from governments? Will (and should) governments kill cryptocurrencies or allow them to develop into important major payments systems?

Paul Kupiec kicks off the event (0:58), Alex Pollock takes the stage (3:26), Jerry Dwyer shares his thoughts (12:58), Hadley Stern gives his take (27:43), Bert Ely weighs in (39:05), Paul Kupiec joins the conversation (54:23), additional comments from the panel (1:08:18), and audience Q&A (1:18:02).

This event took place on February 12, 2018.

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A conversation with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

AEI Events Podcast