Recent Episodes

Democracy By Numbers

November 1, 2026

Despite adhering to the principle of “one person, one vote,” elections in the United States are often highly contentious: presidents can be elected after losing the popular vote, there is widespread gerrymandering and voter purging, and not everyone has equal representation in the Senate. So…

The Logic of Regret

June 17, 2018

A teenager decides, on a whim, to conceive a child. Even though we might say…

Silhouette of a mouse in a mousetrap, speech bubble saying "I Regret Nothing

The Ethics of Drone Warfare

May 27, 2018

The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, aka ‘drone,’ is increasingly the weapon of choice in America’s military…

White silhouette of a drone dripping blood on a red background.

Why Propaganda Matters

February 4, 2018

Governments and other political institutions employ propaganda to sway public opinion, instill ideas, and exert…

Uncle Sam pointing, "Propaganda: Power and Persuasion

The Examined Year: 2017

December 31, 2017

A new year offers an opportunity to reflect on the significant events of the previous…

Chalkboard graphic: 2017 loading bar. Examined Year.

When Democracies Torture

November 26, 2017

Torture is prohibited under international law and is widely considered a human rights violation. But…

Bound hands, tied with rope, illustrate the brutality of torture in democracies.

Democracy in Crisis

November 12, 2017

Democratic systems of government are supposed to reflect the interests of ordinary citizens, and not…

Book cover: Francis Fukuyama's Political Order and Political Decay. Images of the US Capitol and Tiananmen Square.

Food Justice

October 8, 2017

The number of chronically hungry people in the world is over 800 million, yet developed…

Illustration depicting food justice initiatives: community gardens, farmers markets, CSAs, and solidarity.

The Lure of Immortality

October 1, 2017

Would you want to live forever? It’s a tempting notion that has been explored and imagined…

TIME magazine cover: 2045, The Year Man Becomes Immortal

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