A weekly show that takes big ideas about civic life and democracy and turns them into action items for you.
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Socialcontract Podcasts
The Edifice of Trust is a podcast that provides discussion and analysis of today’s current events from the perspective of America’s Founding Principles. Based on Enlightenment philosophy as espoused by John Locke and economic freedom as described by Adam Smith, the host, Victor Bolles, provides listeners a path toward understanding current events from these timeless principles. Many Americans believe that the country is moving in the wrong direction, the podcast tries to point out a new cour ...
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The horizontal nature of American society (as described by Gordon S. Wood in his book The Radicalism of the American Revolution) is a key factor in what makes our country exceptional. But over time that exceptional social structure, which empowers millions of citizens, has been eroded as more and more power becomes concentrated in Washington. In th…
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We discuss the basics of organizing and the fruits of that work. Michael reminds us that “organizers organize organizations.” Michael’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Gather 4-5 friends to talk about what’s happening 2) Share ideas on what you can do to resist Michael Ansara is a seasoned community organizer and the author of The Hard…
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We discuss the enduring power of protesting and the significance of the Ferguson uprising in the long arc of the Black liberation movement. Jonathan’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Speak with a young person in your life about what they’re wrestling with 2) Emphasize community engagement Jonathan Pulphus is an organizer from St. Louis…
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We discuss the importance of shifting our mindset to one that is infused with hope. Positive change comes when we choose hope. Though nobody can fix it all, we can all do something and make an impact. Sharon reminds us that if something is worth doing for everyone, it’s worth doing for one person. Sharon’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: …
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We discuss the role of collective memory in the myth-making of American exceptionalism. Hajar’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Advocate 2) Relate 3) Create Hajar Yazdiha is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences and the author of The Struggle for the People’s King: How Politics T…
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Realizing that having no message other than resistance to President Trump will not gain them enough seats to wrest either the House or the Senate from the Republicans, Democrats are seeking a new message to attract voters. One idea gaining popularity is the Abundance Movement that is based on the book Abundance written by Ezra Klein and Derek Thomp…
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Our Government Unraveled: Nancy Rosenblum
52:06
52:06
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We discuss how ungoverning is the equivalent of a bull in a china shop. We have already seen the destruction of many institutions and many functions of the administrative state, but we don't yet know how much there is still to come. Nancy’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Don’t let unpredictability strip you of your agency 2) Vote in l…
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We discuss the long history of vigilante democracy in the US and its return in our current politics. The playing field is currently tilted in favor of these vigilante policies, but blue states can level the playing field by playing constitutional hardball. David reminds us that the American people have beat back movements to use vigilante power to …
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Democrats across the country are outraged that Texas Governor Abbott wants to redraw the Congressional district map in order to favor Republicans a concept called gerrymandering (although many Democratic states are more gerrymandered than Texas). Both Republicans and Democrats gerrymander even though they also denounce the process. In this commenta…
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Build Functional Immigration: Aaron Reichlin-Melnick
47:55
47:55
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We discuss how out of date immigration laws are and why the only cure is comprehensive immigration reform from Congress. In the face of rising arrests and deportations by ICE, this is the perfect episode to remind us that we still need immigration reform. Aaron’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Be welcoming and model inclusion in your …
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A Living Document is the Death of Democracy. The viability and credibility of America’s public institutions are threatened by executive overreach, underperformance by Congress, a Federal Reserve tasked beyond its capabilities, political parties controlled by extremists and a Supreme Court in disrepute. Most of these institutions suffer from mission…
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Radical Justice is the Way: Jocelyn Simonson
46:54
46:54
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We discuss how certain radical acts of justice by everyday people challenge the legitimacy of the criminal system and form the underpinning of a new collective legal thought, demosprudence. Collective understanding of justice and safety is changing away from the concept that justice equals cages. Jocelyn’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: …
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The dueling ideologies of the left and right are, in reality, the expression of two aspects of our human nature, an independent individual within a larger society where the needs of the group are in conflict with the needs of the individual. How can we create a good society if our conflicts are buried deep in our human nature? In this commentary, w…
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Deliberating for Democracy: James Fishkin
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42:04
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We discuss deliberative polling as a way to assess the will of the people and then to make it consequential. This is what democracy is all about. James’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Question your own beliefs and assumptions 2) Learn to listen to people whom you would not normally talk to James Fishkin is the Director of the Deliber…
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We discuss the main goals of copaganda: narrowing our conception of safety and threat, constantly warning us that those harms are increasing, and telling us that the solution to our fears is more investment in the punishment bureaucracy. Alec’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Educate yourself on how copaganda works 2) Read the Copagand…
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Rumors are flying around Washington about the imminent (and perhaps untimely) departure of Fed Chairman Jerome Powell along with speculation about possible replacements for this critical role. In this commentary we look at some of the implications of this change in leadership at this institution forced to take on outsized responsibilities for the U…
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Multisolving Our Democracy: Elizabeth Sawin
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38:48
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We discuss how multisolving is a way to address the multiple issues that are currently facing our democracy at the same time, ranging from pollution and sustainable energy to civil rights and collective governance. Elizabeth’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Learn about multisolving 2) Learn together in a group Elizabeth Sawin is the D…
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Our Kidnapped Constitution: Madiba Dennie
40:20
40:20
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We discuss Inclusive Constitutionalism, a fresh way to interpret the Constitution that makes inclusive democracy real. By contrast, originalism interprets the meaning of the Constitution as fixed in time in the 1800s and ignores the constitutional amendments during reconstruction that were designed to foster a multiracial democracy. Madiba’s civic …
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The Difference between Capitalism and Socialism
10:26
10:26
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The difference between capitalism and socialism is easy to explain, capitalism creates wealth and socialism distributes wealth. The important thing to keep in mind is the difference between creators and distributors. In this commentary we will look at some of those differences.By Victor C. Bolles
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It’s Time to Change the Constitution: Erwin Chemerinsky
36:46
36:46
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We discuss why the Constitution—the document we've been taught to revere as the very foundation of American democracy—might actually be responsible for the current crisis in government. It might be leading us away from a more perfect union and toward destruction or even secession. Erwin’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Be informed Get in…
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As president Trump flies off to join other world leaders at the NATO meeting in the Netherlands, it is a good time to analyze the nature of that alliance and the necessity of other alliances as well. In this commentary we will address the question of whether we need allies or not and, if we do needs allies, how do we rebuild our network of alliance…
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We discuss how the Supreme Court’s lawlessness is fueled by the conservative grievance mindset where Republicans believe they are victims of laws they don’t agree with. The Supreme Court has played an important role in enabling the current administration’s actions. Leah’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Get educated on the Supreme Court! …
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