Tag Archives: Government and Law

Scholars’ Circle – Afghanistan, US ends 20 year stay and Taliban Takeover – August 29, 2021

The conflict in Afghanistan has transformed with the US withdrawal. We examine why the government fell and the impact on the country and the region.

What are the security threats within the country and the potential for increased violence with the fall of the government in Afghanistan? [ dur: 58mins. ]

This program is produced by Ankine Aghassian, Doug Becker, Melissa Chiprin and Sudd Dongre.

Scholars’ Circle – Ritual Human Sacrifice Sets Social Hierarchy -/- Politics of Emotions – August 14, 2016

First, a new study suggests that ritual human sacrifice played a critical role in creating and maintaining social hierarchy.[ dur: 28 mins. ]

Then, on the Scholars’ Circle panel, we look at the politics of emotions. How do emotions drive outcomes like ethnic violence, wars and genocide? What roles to fear, anger, resentment and entitlement play in conflict?[ dur: 30 mins. ]

For a transcript of this interview, please visit: TheBigQ

Find books authored by our guest scholars on this Book Shelf .

This program is produced with generous contribution from Ankine Aghassian, Melissa Chiprin, Tim Page, Mike Hurst and Sudd Dongre.

Scholars’ Circle – National Psychology in Age of Excess -/- Treatment of Misdeeds among Leaders in our Society – August 7, 2016

America has entered an age of excess, according to our guest. Driven by a maddening quest for perfection, technology, deregulation, and a superficial and often inaccurate mass media, our national psychology has become narcissistic. That is leading to a culture of cheating, lying, and reckless behavior that crashed the economy and continues to wreck lives and the national fabric. We examine our national psychology with J.R. Slosar author of, “Culture of Excess: How America Lost Self Control and Why We Need to Redefine Success.” [ dur: 18 mins. ]

For a transcript of this interview, please visit: TheBigQ

Then, on the Scholars’ Circle panel, why some misdeeds become scandals and others don’t? Why is it that the same type of transgressions are treated differently at different times, and might this differential treatment affect our politics, policies and society? [ dur: 41 mins. ]

Find books authored by our guest scholars on this Book Shelf .

This program is produced with generous contribution from Ankine Aghassian, Melissa Chiprin, Tim Page, Mike Hurst and Sudd Dongre.

Scholars’ Circle – What is media Freedom -/- Dictator’s handbook – July 31, 2016

First, we look at media freedom and its effects. What is media freedom? How do you know when it’s there? We speak with Jenifer Whitten-Woodring and Douglas A. Van Belle co-authors of “Historical Guide to World Media Freedom“. [ dur: 28 mins. ]

  • Jennifer Whitten-Woodring is a Professor of Political Science and Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
  • Douglas A. Van Belle is a Senior Lecturer in the School of English, Film, Theatre and Media Studies at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand.

Followed by what do dictators, CEOs, and political leaders have in common? We’ll explore some of their strategies for getting and keeping power with Alastair Smith, coauthor of, “The Dictator’s Handbook: Why Bad Behavior Is Almost Always Good Politics.” [ dur: 30 mins. ]

Find books authored by our guest scholars on this Book Shelf .

This program is produced with generous contribution from Ankine Aghassian, Melissa Chiprin, Tim Page, Mike Hurst and Sudd Dongre.

Scholars’ Circle – What will decide the US election? – July 24, 2016

First, a look behind the presidential campaign events with one of the top advance men. How do Advance people shape what we see in mass media? Steven Jacques, author of Advance Man. [ dur: 19 mins. ]

  • Steven Jacques is author and former Advance team leader for the White House and presidential campaigns. He is the author of Advance Man.

Then, what might be the factors that determine our next president? We’re joined by three experts of political science. [ dur: 40 mins. ]

Find books authored by our guest scholars on this Book Shelf .

This program is produced with generous contribution from Ankine Aghassian, Melissa Chiprin, Tim Page, Mike Hurst and Sudd Dongre.

Scholars’ Circle – Changes to Power Centers -/- Third Party Politics in US – July 17, 2016

First, power is shifting and changing hands more rapidly than ever. What does it mean for global politics, religion, and economies? [ dur: 22 mins. ]

Then, on the Scholars’ Circle panel, throughout US history third parties have had a profound impact on policy, governance and voter turnout. So why are we still in a two-party system? [ dur: 36 mins. ]

Find book authored by our guest scholars on this Book Shelf .

This program is produced with generous contribution from Ankine Aghassian, Melissa Chiprin, Tim Page, Mike Hurst and Sudd Dongre.

Scholars’ Circle – Ramparts Magazine -/- Crisis in Law Enforcement – July 10, 2016

First, the media’s role in political change. Richardson discusses his book A Bomb in Every Issue: How the Short, Unruly life of Ramparts Magazine changed America. Scheer, founder of Truthdig, contributes his thoughts as a former journalist at Ramparts.[ dur: 18 mins. ]

  • Peter Richardson was the publisher of Ramparts Magazine.
  • Robert Scheer was the editor at Ramparts Magazine.

Then, in light of the crisis in law enforcement, particularly in the black community, we are rebroadcasting at look at the deep structural and cultural disparities that laid the groundwork for the events in Ferguson. [ dur: 40 mins. ]

  • Clarissa Rile Hayward is Professor of Political Science at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. She is the author of How Americans Make Race: Stories, Institutions, Spaces.
  • Delores Jones-Brown is Professor of Law, Police Science, and Criminal Justice at City University of New York. She is the author of Race, Crime and Punishment.
  • Garrett Albert Duncan is Associate Professor of Education in Arts & Sciences. He also teaches African & African American Studies at Washington University in St. Louis. His publications are listed here.

Find book authored by our guest scholars on this Book Shelf .

This program is produced with generous contribution from Ankine Aghassian, Melissa Chiprin, Tim Page, Mike Hurst and Sudd Dongre.

Scholars’ Circle- CIA Interrogations -/- Journalism, Media and Democracy – July 3, 2016

First, a look inside the secret world of spying and intelligence agencies. A discussion with Glenn Carle, author of the book, “The Interrogator: An Education”.[ dur: 28 mins. ]

Then, on the Scholars’ Circle panel, we look at the fast changing world of journalism and media, and what it means for governance and democracy.[ dur: 29 mins. ]

Find book authored by our guest scholars on this Book Shelf .

This program is produced with generous contribution from Ankine Aghassian, Melissa Chiprin, Tim Page, Mike Hurst and Sudd Dongre.

Scholars’ Circle- Realities of Poorest Children in America -/- Second Amendment of US constitution – June 27, 2016

First, after a lifetime of working with the poorest children in America, Jonathan Kozol helps us understand their harsh realities, and the factors that help the most disadvantaged kids to thrive. Kazol is the author of, Fire in the Ashes: Twenty-Five Years Among the Poorest Children in America.[ dur: 23 mins. ]

Then, on the Scholars’ Circle panel, in light of the shooting in Orlando, we look at how the meaning of the second amendment has changed since its introduction and what it may mean for today’s debate about gun laws. Our guests have traced the historical meaning of the second amendment from the very first days when it was drafted and proposed. [ dur: 33 mins. ]

Find book authored by our guest scholars on this Book Shelf .

This program is produced with generous contribution from Ankine Aghassian, Melissa Chiprin, Tim Page, Mike Hurst and Sudd Dongre.

Scholars’ Circle- Guns and the US Constitution – June 19, 2016

With the latest and most lethal shooting in America, we spend the hour analyzing how the second amendment came to be interpreted as a individuals’ right to bear arms, and how this change contrasts with other changes in constitutional interpretation, including the right for marriage equality and human rights protection. With speak with David Cole. His latest book is Engines of Liberty: The Power of Citizen Activists to Make Constitutional Law. [ dur: 58 mins. ]

Find book authored by our guest scholars on this Book Shelf .

This program is produced with generous contribution from Ankine Aghassian, Melissa Chiprin, Tim Page, Mike Hurst and Sudd Dongre.