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Trump vs. Reagan
What do Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump have in common? Surprisingly, it’s their use of religion as a powerful political tool. Diane Winston, professor of journalism and communication at the University of Southern California, notes that Reagan was both a man of deep faith and a savvy politician who knew how to attract Christian votes. […]
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The Supreme Court’s Influence on American Democracy
In a recent discussion, Michael Waldman from the Brennan Center for Justice examined the Supreme Court’s significant role in shaping American democracy. Waldman emphasized how pivotal the Court’s decisions have been throughout history, especially during times of political and social upheaval. While understanding our history is crucial, Waldman noted, it shouldn’t confine how we interpret […]
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Ending Poverty in America Requires Grassroots Activism
What causes poverty and how do we fix it? Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Princeton sociologist Matthew Desmond has dedicated years to answering these critical questions. “I think we actively benefit from poverty,” Desmond said in a recent Helen Edison Lecture Series discussion at UC San Diego Park and Market. “Not because we want to…often it’s […]
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The Paradox of Progressive Governance: Ezra Klein on California’s Challenges
In a thought-provoking discussion with Amy E. Lerman, Chair and Professor of Public Policy and Political Science at UC Berkeley, Ezra Klein, a renowned opinion columnist and podcast host for The New York Times, delved deep into the heart of California’s most pressing issues. The state, known for its progressive policies, is paradoxically grappling with […]
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Your Eyes Can Deceive You: Exposing Deepfakes
Have you ever seen software that allows you to take an old still photo and magically have it smile at you? Or turn your selfie into a photograph that could be found in a yearbook from the 1990s? The technology that began as simple digital video manipulation for motion pictures has moved into deepfake technology […]
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What’s Behind Racial Resentment?
“I’m not a racist, but…” This instinct to make judgments about “deservingness” in politics often animates those who believe they are “not racist,” but tend to oppose policies and ideas that advance racial justice, and blame racial-ethnic minorities for their social, political, and economic positions. That is one of the many arguments UC Berkeley Goldman […]
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The Pros and Cons of Technology
At this moment in history, technology surrounds us – even more so in the past two decades. It allows us to stay connected in unimaginable ways. Twenty years ago, the smartphone, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and video conferencing were all emerging technologies. The world was revolutionized with the advancement of 3G or third-generation connectivity in our mobile […]
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Defending Against the Ravages of Disinformation
The rise of social media has given everyone with a smartphone or computer access to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter the power to broadcast their voice, their message to the masses with the touch of a button. The definition of social media is simple, interactive technology that allows the creation or sharing of information, ideas, interests, […]
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From Cal Student to Mayor of Berkeley
The Center on Civility & Democratic Engagement (CCDE) at the Goldman School of Public Policy presents a special 2021 UC Berkeley Homecoming lecture featuring Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin. CCDE Faculty Director Dan Lindheim interviews Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin on how he went from Cal student to Berkeley’s Mayor, and the key issues the City faces […]
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Securing the Vote
Democracy withstood the assaults of misinformation during the contentious 2020 American Presidential election but did not emerge unscathed. The Center for Security in Politics at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy explores what it means to have free and fair elections from three perspectives: the international comparative aspect, lessons from battleground states, and election […]