Political Graffiti
Signs of the times in Cuba.
How to Think Like Vladimir Putin
Panel examines what Vladimir Putin is up to in Europe—and why.
Beyond the Border Wall
Walls and doors: examining immigration’s past and future.
When Lies Go Viral
Fake news may be as old as news itself, but the viral deceptions mutating on the internet are affecting the institutions that inform our democracy. Some Penn scholars offer analysis, context, and concerns.
Talks About Trump
Panels examine foreign policy, the economy, and “truth” in the Trump era.
E Pluribus, Polarization?
Political polarization less pronounced than partisans predict.
Perry World House
Penn unveils its ambitious global policy center—which, in the run-up to the US presidential election, has wasted no time hosting a Who’s Who in the realm of world affairs.
Workhorse at the White House
Jon Decker C’88 G’91 has covered three US presidents (and counting).
The Election Issues That (Ought to) Matter
SP2 and IUR weigh in on what the 2016 election should be about.
Electoral Corruption’s Ironic Enabler
Heard on Campus: Why the FEC doesn’t work anymore.
Extreme Makeover: Debate Edition
No argument: Presidential debates need fixing.
Crimes of Punishment
Q&A: Marie Gottschalk on America’s sky-high incarceration rate.
Politics and Poetry in Kashmir
English Professor Suvir Kaul on Kashmir’s rich poetry and tragic politics.
Civics and Truthiness
Funny but true: study says Colbert explained Super PACs best.
The Commissioners
A pair of prominent Penn alumni recently served on two presidential panels that probed some very sensitive national issues. Now they discuss the process, and their findings.
Making Democracy Safer for Governing
Even the best-intentioned politicians can find themselves distracted from the public interest by factors ranging from the continual demands of fundraising, to the expectations of supporters and activists, to an often cynical, “horse-race” obsessed media. But even in the era of the permanent campaign, there are ways to foster an environment more conducive to governing.
Dispatches from the Front
In a series of interviews and book excerpts, three of Penn’s most prominent political alumni—Ed Rendell C’65 Hon’00, Jon M. Huntsman Jr. C’87 Hon’10, and Arlen Specter C’51—discuss their time as office-seekers and public servants, and offer some hard-earned advice about what needs fixing.
Toward a More Perfect Union
Whoever wins the White House will confront challenges and opportunities that were lost in the fog of electioneering. Penn scholars address five areas that the campaigns muddled, ignored, or failed to think big about.
If It’s Broke, Can We Fix It?
Silfen Forum focuses on fixing America’s future
Keeping Our Republic
From College Hall | Reviving a mindset conducive to compromise is essential, but it won’t be easy.
After WikiLeaks
Overreaction could do more damage than anything revealed
in the leaked diplomatic cables.
Golf Instructor, Grandfather, President
A grandson’s memories of Eisenhower in retirement.
Rebel with a URL
Cenk Uygur W’92 delivers the “real news” on The Young Turks.
The Senate’s Financial Avenger
Ted Kaufman WG’66