Zócalo Public Square

The United States is envied around the world for its unparalleled wealth. But its riches would not have been possible without what Alan Greenspan has called America’s “unique tolerance” for the messy effects of capitalism’s creative destruction. What is so special about our brand of capitalism that generations of Americans have been willing to endure so much wrenching change in its service? What moments in history have shaped America’s complicated relationship with capitalism? And how have Americans tried to balance our tolerance of economic inequality with our nation’s long-stated principles of fairness and justice? On January 24, 2019, The Economist’s political editor Adrian Wooldridge, co-author of “Capitalism in America: A History,” visited Zócalo to examine America’s enduring affection for an economic system that produces so much pain alongside its gains. The event, a conversation with Warren Olney, host of KCRW’s “To the Point,” took place at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy in Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles.

It’s age-old wisdom: Every single new justice creates a brand-new U.S. Supreme Court. But some legal scholars suggest that the court taking shape now, with a conservative majority established by President Trump’s second appointee, could make especially broad changes in the law. Long-established precedents on matters of race, sex, religion, and privacy could be overturned. And the basic structure of our government—the power of the presidency, the limits of regulation, access to the court system itself—could be transformed. If the highest court in the land is about to make major legal history, in what ways will Americans feel the effects? What aspects of our economy, our culture, our work, and our lives are most likely to be disrupted? And if this Supreme Court defers to the most powerful people and institutions in society, will their decisions threaten American democracy—or inspire its revival? UCLA specialist in constitutional law Adam Winkler, University of Chicago legal scholar Justin Driver, and UCLA Law School’s Beth Colgan visited Zócalo to examine how a changing high court could change America. The occasion was a Zócalo/UCLA Downtown event, “How Will the New Supreme Court Change America?” The event, moderated by Jess Bravin, Supreme Court correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, took place at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy in Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles.

It’s age-old wisdom: Every single new justice creates a brand-new U.S. Supreme Court. But some legal scholars suggest that the court taking shape now, with a conservative majority established by President Trump’s second appointee, could make especially broad changes in the law. Long-established precedents on matters of race, sex, religion, and privacy could be overturned. And the basic structure of our government—the power of the presidency, the limits of regulation, access to the court system itself—could be transformed. If the highest court in the land is about to make major legal history, in what ways will Americans feel the effects? What aspects of our economy, our culture, our work, and our lives are most likely to be disrupted? And if this Supreme Court defers to the most powerful people and institutions in society, will their decisions threaten American democracy—or inspire its revival? UCLA specialist in constitutional law Adam Winkler, University of Chicago legal scholar Justin Driver, and UCLA Law School’s Beth Colgan visited Zócalo to examine how a changing high court could change America. The occasion was a Zócalo/UCLA Downtown event, “How Will the New Supreme Court Change America?” The event, moderated by Jess Bravin, Supreme Court correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, took place at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy in Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles.

The pursuit of happiness is foundational to the United States, and happiness has become an international obsession as nations seek to measure happiness and enact policies to increase it. But this is also an era of disruption, dislocation, and great unhappiness; in the U.S., half of all adults suffer from anxiety, according to some estimates. Are the meanings and measures of happiness changing as the world is transformed by the digital revolution, climate change, and populist politics? Which factors—from job satisfaction and free time, to wealth, personality, and the quality of our relationships—have the biggest impact on our happiness? And what strategies allow us to find happiness even in the midst of uncertainty, conflict, and unwanted change? UCLA Anderson marketing scholar Cassie Mogilner Holmes, UC Riverside social psychologist and author of The How of Happiness Sonja Lyubomirsky, and UCLA Anderson behavioral psychologist Hal Hershfield visited Zócalo to discuss how people can find happiness in difficult times. The occasion was a Zócalo/UCLA Anderson School of Management event, “Can Individuals Be Happy in an Unhappy Time?” The event, moderated by Madeleine Brand, host of KCRW’s “Press Play,” took place at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy in Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles.

The pursuit of happiness is foundational to the United States, and happiness has become an international obsession as nations seek to measure happiness and enact policies to increase it. But this is also an era of disruption, dislocation, and great unhappiness; in the U.S., half of all adults suffer from anxiety, according to some estimates. Are the meanings and measures of happiness changing as the world is transformed by the digital revolution, climate change, and populist politics? Which factors—from job satisfaction and free time, to wealth, personality, and the quality of our relationships—have the biggest impact on our happiness? And what strategies allow us to find happiness even in the midst of uncertainty, conflict, and unwanted change? UCLA Anderson marketing scholar Cassie Mogilner Holmes, UC Riverside social psychologist and author of The How of Happiness Sonja Lyubomirsky, and UCLA Anderson behavioral psychologist Hal Hershfield visited Zócalo to discuss how people can find happiness in difficult times. The occasion was a Zócalo/UCLA Anderson School of Management event, “Can Individuals Be Happy in an Unhappy Time?” The event, moderated by Madeleine Brand, host of KCRW’s “Press Play,” took place at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy in Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles.

What Does the Life of Frederick Douglass Tell Us About America?

What Does the Life of Frederick Douglass Tell Us About America?

Americans treat crime as a public scourge. And we attack it via public systems—our prisons, probation departments, and school and youth programs—to intervene before people go wrong. But what if crime isn’t a public problem, but rather an intensely private issue tied to families? Just five percent of American families account for half of all crimes, and 10 percent of families account for two-thirds. And new research suggests crime is a family tradition passed on through multiple generations, even to great-grandchildren. Why does crime run in families? How can we help, treat, or punish families to break their cycles of crime? And what should this reality of crime mean for efforts to reform incarceration and law enforcement in the United States, home to one-quarter of the world’s prison population? Former New York Times national and foreign correspondent Fox Butterfield, author of In My Father's House: A New View of How Crime Runs in the Family, visited Zócalo to explain how crime really works and to explore the best ways to fight it. He spoke with Warren Olney, host of KCRW’s “To the Point,” at a Zócalo/KCRW “Critical Thinking with Warren Olney” event at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy in Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles.

Americans treat crime as a public scourge. And we attack it via public systems—our prisons, probation departments, and school and youth programs—to intervene before people go wrong. But what if crime isn’t a public problem, but rather an intensely private issue tied to families? Just five percent of American families account for half of all crimes, and 10 percent of families account for two-thirds. And new research suggests crime is a family tradition passed on through multiple generations, even to great-grandchildren. Why does crime run in families? How can we help, treat, or punish families to break their cycles of crime? And what should this reality of crime mean for efforts to reform incarceration and law enforcement in the United States, home to one-quarter of the world’s prison population? Former New York Times national and foreign correspondent Fox Butterfield, author of In My Father's House: A New View of How Crime Runs in the Family, visited Zócalo to explain how crime really works and to explore the best ways to fight it. He spoke with Warren Olney, host of KCRW’s “To the Point,” at a Zócalo/KCRW “Critical Thinking with Warren Olney” event at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy in Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles.

The Aloha State is on the front lines of climate change. The seas surrounding Hawai‘i already have risen as much as 3.5 inches since 1960. Long-term forecasts anticipate massive beach erosion, higher average temperatures, prolonged droughts, heavy flooding linked to volatile trade winds, and increased ocean acidity that could bleach coral and disrupt marine migration. But Hawai‘i also is on the front lines of scientific experimentation that could mitigate the harsher effects of global warming. What can the world learn from this research and the state’s experience with climate change? How can Hawai‘i set an example for sustainable living that other states and countries might emulate? University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa geologist Chip Fletcher, RAND Corporation scientist and contributor to the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Robert Lempert, Honolulu chief resiliency officer Joshua Stanbro, and moderator Catherine Cruz, co-host of Hawai‘i Public Radio's "The Conversation" took part in a Zócalo/Daniel K. Inouye Institute “Pau Hana” event at Artistry Honolulu to discuss how Hawai‘i can help the world survive and thrive amid environmental disruption.