Politic in places like the US has become increasingly hostile and uncivil say scholars. Language often vilifies citizens and lawmakers. But people overwhelmingly dislike the incivility and have expressed shame at its effect on policy debates. What are the effects of incivility and vilification in a democratic society? Do they have real effects on public policy? Does it effect political participation or the psychology of the citizens? Maria Armoudian speaks to Robert Entman, Steven Heyman, and Michael Wagner.
While many argue that we are in a post-truth era, fuelled by US President Donald Trump and the phenomenon of fake news, some scholars argue that deception has always been ubiquitous. What is the truth about lying? Maria Armoudian is joined by Timothy Levine, David Livingstone-Smith and Briony Swire-Thompson.
Suicide rates have been steadily rising in the United States. So what explains the increase in the numbers of people taking their own lives, and what can be done to solve what amounts to a crisis in public health? Maria Armoudian speaks with Mark S. Kaplan.
With unprecedented global warming, wealth disparities and peak everything, there is no question that we need to act now to meet the power, heating and transportation needs of growing populations, and to do so sustainably, equitably and democratically. What are the obstacles? What are the possible solutions? How do we build resilient communities? Steve Matthewman, Prue Taylor, Julie MacArthur and Manuel Vallee discuss these questions with Maria Armoudian.
Democracy today is dominated by election campaigns, lobbyists, media, and political commentators, all using language to influence the way the public thinks about and interprets public issues. Despite this, many believe that propaganda and manipulation aren’t problems for society. In this two-part interview, Jason Stanley discusses how propaganda works in democratic societies with Maria Armoudian.
The United Nations Secretary-General has called Syria hell on Earth. How did it get this bad? What are the geopolitics at play? And what about the rest of the Middle East? Maria Armoudian discusses the ongoing crisis in Syria and the surrounding areas with Laurie A. Brand, Fred H. Lawson, Hamoud Salhi, and William Harris.
Climate change, pesticide contamination, soil-depletion, loss of land, power politics, mass pollinator die-offs, and a host of big business practices threaten the long-term availability of healthy food. In part one of this symposium on the future of food, Maria Armoudian speaks with a panel of experts about the problems facing our food and the politics of food insecurity.
With reports of indefinite detentions and children being separated from their families at the United States border, Maria Armoudian explore how we got here, what the legal and political ramifications are and what happens next for America with Kevin Johnson and David Kyle.
Why do so many people seem to know so little about politics? What does that mean for democracy? And what can be done about it? Professor Arthur Lupia discusses these concerns with Maria Armoudian.
Scientists say we still have time to address climate change and we've made headway, but we still have a long way to go. What do we need to do to combat climate change, and how worried should we be about global warming? Maria Armoudian speaks with renowned climate scientist Michael E. Mann.
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