The Brookings Cafeteria

David Wessel, senior fellow and director of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy, looks at Hillary Clinton's and Donald Trump's different approaches to policy issues including taxes, family leave, and trade. Also in this episode, John Hudak, deputy director of the Center for Effective Public Management and a senior fellow in Governance Studies, provides a general election update and discusses the upcoming first presidential debate. Finally, Bill Finan interviews John Bessler, professor of Law at the University of Baltimore School of Law and an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Law Center, who edited the new Brookings volume, "Against the Death Penalty," which offers Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer's passionate dissent in a 2015 death penalty case. Thanks to audio producer Gaston Reboredo and producer Vanessa Sauter, and also thanks for additional support from Eric Abalahin, Jessica Pavone, Nawal Atallah, Basseem Maleki, and Rebecca Viser.

Guest host Robert McKenzie, visiting fellow in the Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World, and Leon Wieseltier, the Isaiah Berlin Senior Fellow in Culture and Policy, discuss how Western inaction impacts Syrian refugees and the political landscape in Europe. Also in this episode, Elizabeth Mann, fellow in the Brown Center on Education Policy, addressesthe importance of providing every child with a high level of education. Finally, Bill Finan interviews Donald Kettl about his new book, "Escaping Jurassic Government: How to Recover America's Lost Commitment to Competence." Thanks to audio producer Mark Hoelscher and producer Vanessa Sauter, and also thanks for additional support from Eric Ablahan, Jessica Pavone, Nawal Atallah, Basseem Maleki, and Rebecca Viser. Subscribe to the Brookings Cafeteria on iTunes, listen in all the usual places, and send feedback email to [email protected].

Amadou Sy, senior fellow and director of the Africa Growth Initiative, addresses both the opportunities and challenges of U.S. economic engagement in Africa as the second U.S.-Africa Business Forum approaches. Also in this episode, Elizabeth Kneebone discusses the significance of the increasing number of high poverty neighborhoods in our regular Metro Lens segment. Finally, Bill Finan interviews Steven Koltai, guest scholar in Governance Studies, on his new book Peace through Entrepreneurship. Thanks to audio producer Mark Hoelscher and producer Vanessa Sauter, and also thanks for additional support from Jessica Pavone, Eric Abalahin, and Rebecca Viser. Subscribe to the Brookings Cafeteria on iTunes, listen in all the usual places, and send feedback email to [email protected].

Elaine Kamarck, senior fellow in Governance Studies and director of the Center for Effective Public Management, talks about why we need a managerial presidency, a central argument in her most recent book Why Presidents Fail and How They Can Succeed Again. Also in this podcast, Aaron Klein, fellow in Economic Studies and policy director of the Initiative on Business and Public Policy, discusses what inspires him in public policy and public service. Finally, Steve Hess looks back on his time in the Eisenhower White House. Thanks to audio producer Mark Hoelscher and producer Vanessa Sauter, and also thanks for additional support from Jessica Pavone, Eric Abalahin, and Rebecca Viser. Subscribe to the Brookings Cafeteria on iTunes, listen in all the usual places, and send feedback email to [email protected].

John Villasenor, nonresident senior fellow in Governance Studies and the Center for Technology Innovation, discusses his new report on digital and financial inclusion. Also stay tuned for our regular election update from John Hudak, deputy director of the Center for Effective Public Management and a senior fellow in Governance Studies. Thanks to audio producer Mark Hoelscher and producer Vanessa Sauter, and also thanks for additional support from Jessica Pavone, Eric Abalahin, and Rebecca Viser. Subscribe to the Brookings Cafeteria on iTunes, listen in all the usual places, and send feedback email to [email protected].

Mireya Solís, senior fellow and the Philip Knight Chair in Japan Studies in the Brookings Center for East Asia Policy Studies, explores the domestic and international importance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, comments on what the presidential candidates are saying about trade, and also addresses the fears people have about losing their jobs to trade. Also stay tuned for our regular economic update from David Wessel, senior fellow and director of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy. Thanks to audio producer Mark Hoelscher and producer Vanessa Sauter, and also thanks for additional support from Jessica Pavone, Eric Abalahin, and Rebecca Viser. Subscribe to the Brookings Cafeteria on iTunes, listen in all the usual places, and send feedback email to [email protected].

Jonathan Rauch, senior fellow in Governance Studies, expands on his widely popular new article in The Atlantic titled, "How American Politics Went Insane." Also in this episode, Metropolitan Policy Program Associate Fellow Devashree Saha examines the impact of crashing oil prices on state and metro economies. How American politics went insane The state of state parties, a neglected path to healthier politics Political Realism: How Hacks, Machines, Big Money, and Back-Room Deals Can Strengthen American Democracy Permanent trust funds: Funding economic change with fracking revenues Thanks to audio producer Mark Hoelscher, plus thanks to Carisa Nietsche, Bill Finan, Vanessa Sauter, Jessica Pavone, Eric Abalahin, and Rebecca Viser. Subscribe to the Brookings Cafeteria on iTunes, listen in all the usual places, and send feedback email to [email protected].

Harold Trinkunas, senior fellow and director of the Latin America Initiative at Brookings, and David Mares, guest scholar in the Latin America Initiative, discusses their new book Aspirational Power: Brazil's Long Road to Global Influence. Also in this episode, Steve Hess recounts navigating a challenging request from President Nixon. Finally, Metropolitan Policy Program Fellow Adie Tomer narrates his path to public policy research on infrastructure. Aspirational Power: Brazil on the Long Road to Global Influence The 2016 Rio Olympics: Will Brazil's emergence get a second wind? Brazil and the international order: Getting back on track Los Angeles will vote again whether to self-finance its infrastructure future Thanks to audio producer Mark Hoelscher, plus thanks to Carisa Nietsche, Bill Finan, Vanessa Sauter, Jessica Pavone, Eric Abalahin, Rebecca Viser, and our intern Sara Abdel-Rahim. Subscribe to the Brookings Cafeteria on iTunes, listen in all the usual places, and send feedback email to [email protected].

After the conventions, a presidential election update from John Hudak. In the interview, Mark Muro, senior fellow and policy director of the Metropolitan Policy Program discusses a plan to address the economic boom-bust cycle in states that rely heavily on "fracking" and how this plan can spur innovation, inclusive economic development, and de-carbonization in the U.S. Also in this podcast a Coffee Break from Eyerusalem Siba, research fellow with the Africa Growth Initiative in the Global Economy and Development program. LINKS: Permanent trust funds: Funding economic change with fracking revenues Busted: State budgets feel fracking crash Look to advanced industries to help drive productivity gains Enabling female entrepreneurs and beyond Bloomberg's Clinton endorsement signals a big business problem for Trump and the GOP

Kemal Kirişci, TÜSİAD Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy, discusses the recent coup in Turkey and its implications for Turkey's regional role, foreign policy, and its democracy. Also in this podcast our final Syrian Refugee series segment with Matteo Garavoglia, a visiting fellow in the Foreign Policy Center on the United States and Europe. Also stay tuned for William Frey, Senior Fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program as he discusses America's racial and age divide and its effect on the political environment. Links - Turkey after the coup attempt: Implications for Turkish democracy, foreign policy, and the future of the Syrian War - Erdoğan's real opportunity after the failed coup in Turkey - Is Turkish foreign policy becoming pragmatic again? - Diversity Explosion: How New Racial Demographics are Remaking America - Convention cities make exemplary stages to discuss America's racial divide - Is Italy the new Greece? New trends in Europe's migrant crisis Thanks to audio engineer and producer Zack Kulzer, with editing help from Mark Hoelscher, plus thanks to Carisa Nietsche, Bill Finan, Jessica Pavone, Eric Abalahin, Rebecca Viser, and our intern Sara Abdel-Rahim. Subscribe to the Brookings Cafeteria on iTunes, listen in all the usual places, and send feedback email to [email protected]