When To Intervene
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker explains that the United States cannot be the policeman of the world, and jump into each and every situation in which there are injustices taking place. Secretary Baker makes the case for intervening when our...
Dealing With Global Economic Issues
Director of the National Economic Council and former Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence Summers talks about the growing importance of what he calls "international economic dialogue." Secretary Summers points out that, "...we export nearly twice as m...
Cynicism and Politics
Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich talks about what he terms the greatest evils in a democracy: indifference, escapism and resignation.
Voter's Challenge, The
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry talks about the challenge voters face before elections, when they are bombarded with information from the media that is frequently unaccompanied by analysis. In the end, Mr. McCurry explains, the Ameri...
Case For Education, The
Former Secretary of Labor and university professor Robert Reich talks about the state of education in the United States. Secretary Reich notes that most money for primary and secondary education comes from local property taxes. The result, he says, ...
Changing Election Traditions
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker argues against federalizing presidential elections. "Article Two of our Constitution says the state legislatures of each state will determine how presidential electors are selected," Secretary Baker points ou...
Coming of Globalization, The
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker talks about the emergence of globalization as a force on the world stage towards the end of the George H.W. Bush administration. He explains that the impact was broad-based, affecting both foreign affairs and...
What Justifies the Power of the State? (Part One)
Philosopher Michael Sandel discusses two approaches to liberalism, what he terms libertarian liberalism and egalitarian liberalism. He also talks about his own reluctance to be labeled as a communitarian, because he feels the term is often used syno...
What Justifies the Power of the State? (Part Two)
Philosopher Michael Sandel talks about the views of government held by John Locke and Aristotle. According to Professor Sandel, Locke believed "government was founded on consent." As for Aristotle, Professor Sandel explains that he thought politics ...
Cabinet Meetings
Former Secretary of Labor and university professor Robert Reich reveals that, while there were "relatively few" Cabinet meetings in the Clinton White House, there were a lot of what he calls "sub-cabinet meetings." "That is," Secretary Reich explain...