democracy

Who’s Really in Charge? Government Bureaucracy Under Attack

by Anthony W. Orlando

Bureaucracy is so boring. Who cares? Not you, right? Well then, you’re in for an unwelcome surprise because the people who run our government from day to day aren’t the ones you voted for. Our democracy depends on the men and women of the bureaucracy. They execute the laws, and lately they’ve been doing it without supportive leadership, without the trust of the public … without a voice.

In this episode, William Resh is their voice, and we would be wise to listen.

Listen to this episodes of Our American Discourse by clicking on the orange play arrow, or subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, or Google Play.

The Ethics of Governing

by Anthony W. Orlando

PhD candidate Anthony Orlando discusses the “Ethics of Democracy” in the latest episode of Our American Discourse.

Democracy is a dialogue. It requires our leaders to ask, to listen, and to react. Good governance thus hinges on conversation and consent—and whether we like it or not, conflict. Planners and policymakers have to balance competing needs, never more so than in today’s polarized environment. How do they do the right thing? Does such a thing even exist? Citizenship demands that we engage with these uncomfortable questions, especially in this troubled era.

Listen to this episode of Our American Discourse by clicking on the orange play arrow on this post, or subscribe at iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Play, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Turning the Corner: Progress Is Not Dead, Trump Is Not the Future

by Anthony W. Orlando

PhD candidate, Anthony Orlando, writes an op-ed about Los Angeles voters and Measure S within the larger political context:

The voters of Los Angeles have taken a stand—and the world should pay heed.

“Measure S,” the ballot initiative defeated in yesterday’s election, was not just a local issue. True, it would only have halted high-rise construction in one city. But like Brexit, like the election of Donald Trump, its effect would have been global.

Good Governance and the Democratic Process

by Anthony W. Orlando

The “causes of faction are…sown in the nature of man,” said James Madison. But could the founders have foreseen the level of political polarization we’re seeing today? They certainly tried. That’s why we have separation of powers, checks and balances, and the Bill of Rights. In many ways, these institutions are under attack. Power has been concentrated, and minority rights have been threatened. How shall become of our constitutional system?

In this episode, we navigate this treacherous onslaught with Dean Jack Knott.

Listen to the individual episodes on the Our American Discourse page, or subscribe at iTunes, Soundcloud, or Google Play.

On civility and the true meaning of “politics” in an election year

by Patricia Quintero Estades

A couple of months ago, I wrote a piece on partisanship in Puerto Rico and its detrimental effects on governance. In it, I mentioned how bipartisanship and cooperation is something that the U.S. needs as well. Nothing drives a wedge between people of different ideologies like an election year. What we are seeing so far…

Contesting the Streets II – Panel Discussion (Highlights)

by Bedrosian Center

Highlights from the “Contesting the Streets II: Vending and Public Space in Global Cities” symposium at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.

“Contesting the Streets II: Vending and Public Space in Global Cities” – Sponsored by SLAB, the Spatial Analysis Lab at USC Price; The César E. Chávez Department for Chicana/o Studies at UCLA, and the USC Bedrosian Center on Governance.

From the Feel Good City to the Just City – Keynote by Margaret Crawford

by Bedrosian Center

Margaret Crawford gave this keynote address at Contesting the Streets II, on October 2, 2015.

This symposium brings together scholars and practitioners in dynamic dialogue about the global trends and controversies over vending in public space.

Sponsored by SLAB, the Spatial Analysis Lab at USC Price; The César E. Chávez Department for Chicana/o Studies at UCLA, and the USC Bedrosian Center on Governance.