Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

Campus sexual assault is a problem across the country, but colleges differ widely in how they respond to these cases. PhD candidates Nicole Bedera and Miriam Gleckman-Krut lay out why national standards are changing under the Trump administration and how they are shifting protections and resources to the accused. For More on This Topic: Read Bedera and Gleckman-Krut's piece in The New York Times Listen to their interview on Michigan Radio Further Reading: Episode 80: Unequal Play to Unwanted Contact, Celene Reynolds, Yale University Fighting Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, Amy Blackstone, University of Maine

This week we are showcasing an episode from The Measure of Everyday Life, a podcast hosted by SSN member Brian Southwell. He spoke with Professor Deondra Rose about the policy moves that helped opened doors for women in higher education. For More on This Topic: Read Rose's piece for Inside Higher Ed in defense of "me" studies Check out Rose's brief, How Federal Government Policies Have Helped Women Earn College Degrees Read her piece in Talking Points Memo on women in higher education Further Reading: What We Know - and Need to Learn - about Progress against Sex Discrimination in Higher Education, Celene Reynolds,Yale University Why Higher Education is a Must for Low-Income Mothers, Lisa Dodson, Brandeis University, Luisa S. Deprez, University of Southern Maine

Congress is on the verge of passing major tax reform that many say is tilted in favor of the wealthy. This week we're looking back at an episode with Professor Rick Hasen to explore why the wealthy often enjoy such outsized benefits and power in American politics - and how changing the Supreme Court is the best way to fix that. For More on This Topic: Check out Hasen's book, Plutocrats United Read his piece in The LA Times on Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch Further Reading: Evidence that Legislators Grant Special Access to Donors, Joshua Kalla, University of California, Berkeley, David Broockman, Stanford University Why Campaign Finance Reforms That Weaken U.S. Parties Promote Extreme and Unresponsive Politics, Raymond J. La Raja, University of Massachusetts Amherst Episode 1: The Kochs, Americans For Prosperity, and the Right, Theda Skocpol, Harvard University

The neighborhoods we live in help shape our mental and physical health. Professor Antwan Jones explains what happens when some neighborhoods benefit from private and public investments while others are left behind, and what can be done to change this. For more on This Topic: Check out Jones' brief, The Health Consequences of Moving from Place to Place Read his opinion piece in The Baltimore Sun Further Reading: Episode 19: Changing Neighborhoods for Better or for Worse, Jackelyn Hwang, Stanford University Have Reforms in U.S. Housing Assistance Reduced Neighborhood Poverty?, Ann Owens, University of South Carolina

Inequality is on the rise in America, but what's behind it? Professor Steven Teles and Dr. Brink Lindsey lay out how federal and state policies help the rich get richer, slow economic growth, and promote inequality. For More on This Topic: Check out Teles and Lindsey's book, The Captured Economy Read their opinion piece in the New York Times Further Reading: How States Can Fight Growing Economic Inequality, Megan E. Hatch, Cleveland State University, Elizabeth Rigby, The George Washington University Episode 82: Hidden Tax Benefits, Suzanne Mettler, Cornell University

This week we are highlighting an episode from Have You Heard, a podcast co-hosted by SSN member Jack Schneider and journalist Jennifer Berkshire. They spoke with Sally Nuamah about the long-term effects of school closures on communities, like declining voter turnout. For more on this topic: Read Nuamah's paper, The paradox of educational attitudes: Racial differences in public opinion on school closure or check out her website. Find more episodes of Have You Heard online or wherever you get your podcasts Further reading: How (and why) to build a better measure of school quality, Jack Schneider, College of the Holy Cross Standardized Ratings of Urban Public Schools Ignore Contributions to their Students and Communities, Keith Eric Benson, Camden City School District Does Public Education Improve When Urban Districts Manage A "Portfolio" of Schools? , Katrina Elizabeth Bulkey, Montclair State University

As Republicans move forward with their tax overhaul, this week's episode revisits Vanessa Williamson's interview on the misconception that Americans hate taxes. She outlines how anti-tax policies became popular despite the fact that most Americans support increasing taxes for services they care about. For more on this topic: Read her brief, Who Pays America's Taxes?, with Alexander Hertel-Fernandez, Columbia University Check out her opinion piece on Trump's original tax plan during the 2016 campaign. Further Reading: How Republican Approaches to Social Spending Increase Income Inequality in the United States , Christopher Faricy, Syracuse University Reforming Tax Policy for the Wealthiest One Percent, Michael Nau, The Ohio Colleges of Medicine Government Resource Center

Political rumors are spreading across the country and the widening divide between parties is only making them more potent. Professor Adam Berinsky discusses where these rumors come from and what, if anything, can be done to combat them. For More on This Topic: Read Berinsky's brief, What Works - and What Doesn't - To Discredit Harmful Rumors And Correct Information Check out his feature and a web extra on an episode of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee Further Reading: How a Citizen's Initiative Review Improve Elections Where Voters Directly Decide on Policy Issues, John Gastil, Pennsylvania State University Episode 13: The Misinformation Age, Brian G. Southwell, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

For the final act of the live show, Professors Erin O'Brien and Peter Ubertaccio tackle Massachusetts politics. They dig into the character of the Democratic and Republican parties in the state, and show how the state isn't as deep blue as many think. For More on This Topic: Check out O'Brien, Ubertaccio, and other scholars on WGBH's MassPoliticsProfs blog Watch the live show video to see full show and audience Q&A Further Reading: Massachusetts as a Surprising Pioneer in the Turn to Mandatory Sentencing as a Response to Crime, Charles Houston Decker, Yale University Episode 2: Voter Fraud or Voter Suppression?, Erin O'Brien, University of Massachusetts Boston

For the second act of the live show, Professors Deondra Rose and Gunther Peck dive deep into North Carolina's contentious politics, the impacts of the state's voting laws and redistricting efforts, and what these deep divides say about national politics. For More on This Topic: Read Peck's piece, Learning the Right Lessons from Defeat: Organizing a New Democratic Majority in North Carolina Listen to Rose's interview on North Carolina Public Radio Further Reading: How Conservatives Rewrote North Carolina Election Laws to Discourage Voter Participation, Marion Johnson, NC Justice Center How Colleges in North Carolina- And Beyond- Can Help Students Vote, Laura Elise Bennett, Duke University

In the first of three acts for the 100th episode live show, Professors Theda Skocpol and René Flores discuss the role of national and local organizations on the 2016 election outcome, the Trump presidency so far, and what comes next. For More on This Topic: Read Skocpol's briefs, Making Sense of the Koch Network and Why U.S. Conservatives Shape Legislation across the Fifty States Much More Effectively than Liberals Check out Flores' brief, How Restrictive Laws Can Influence Public Attitudes Towards Immigrants Further Reading: Episode 57: Election Autopsy, Theda Skocpol, Harvard University Episode 93: Melting Pot, Boiling Pot, René Flores, University of Washington Donald Trump and the Dynamics of American Public Opinion about Racial Profiling, Deborah Schildkraut, Tufts University

Foster parents and social workers help children in difficult situations, but too often they lack the resources they need. Professor Antonio Garcia describes how this impacts foster children and what a focus on prevention could look like. For More on This Topic: Read Garcia's brief, To Counter Child Abuse, Administrators and Case Workers Need Support to Implement Evidence-Based Improvements Further Reading: Why U.S. States Vary in Their Responses to Child Abuse and Neglect, Frank Edwards, Cornell University How America's Head Start Program Improves the Lives of Children and Families, Anne Day Leong, National Institutes of Health

High costs are making college unaffordable, or even impossible, for many Americans. Professor Nicholas Hillman outlines why student loan debt has become such a major issue. Professor Laura Perna highlights a potential solution -- free tuition programs. For More on This Topic: Read Hillman's brief, Designing Better Ways to Regulate Colleges with Too Many Students Who Default on Federal Loans Check out Perna's research project on college promise programs. Further Reading: Episode 52: Paying the Price, Sara Goldrick-Rab, Temple University Episode 4: The Student Debt Crisis, Nicholas Hillman, University of Wisconsin-Madison Making Loans Work for Today's College Students, Susan Dynarski, University of Michigan

Voting is a pillar of American democracy, but for many, the vote has been out of reach. Professor Doug Spencer explains the past and present of the right to vote in America, and how debates about voter fraud are missing the mark. For More on This Topic: Read his brief, How Surveys Can Strengthen the Voting Rights Act Further Reading: The Dismantling of the Voting Rights Act, Dewey M. Clayton, University of Louisville Restoring the Voting Rights Act Will Not Do Enough to Ensure Fair Elections, Amel Ahmed, University of Massachusetts Amherst

How do policymakers sort through all the information they get? Jenni Owen discusses how she and the office of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper engage with research, and offers do's and don'ts for researchers and advocates who want to inform policy.

Colleges highlight how affirmative action increases diversity on campus. Professor Natasha Warikoo discusses new investigations into school admissions and how focusing on diversity ignores the real reasons for affirmative action. For More on This Topic: Read her brief, How the Ways College Authorities Talk about Diversity Can Undercut Efforts to Fight Racial Inequality Check out her recent piece for The Boston Globe Read this article for an in-depth look at the effects of the affirmative action ban on the University of California system Further Reading: Can Universities Maintain Diversity without Directly Considering Race in Admissions?, Mark C. Long, University of Washington Will U.S. College Aid Continue Its Proud Track Record of Enlarging Opportunity and Reducing Inequality? Deondra Rose, Duke University

Come to the first-ever LIVE taping of the Scholars Strategy Network's podcast, No Jargon. To celebrate No Jargon's 100th episode, Avi will be joined by researchers from across the country to talk about America's divided politics, how we got here, and what comes next. Buy tickets at scholars.org/liveshow. In three acts, Avi and his guests will explore our nation's politics today, and then zoom in on battleground North Carolina and bright blue Massachusetts. Audience members will have the chance to ask the researchers their own questions. Guests for the show include: Sandy Darity, René Flores, Erin O'Brien, Gunther Peck, Theda Skocpol, and Peter Ubertaccio.

Fueled by misinformation, some parents are wary of vaccinating their kids. But this seemingly personal choice can cause disease outbreaks. Dr. Matthew Woodruff explains the science behind vaccines and how we can better educate people on their value. For More on This Topic: Read his brief, Why "Personal Belief" Vaccine Exemptions Place Many Vulnerable Americans at Risk Check out his podcast, Audiommunity Further Reading: Assessing the Effectiveness of the U.S. Vaccine Injury Compensation Court, Anna Kirkland, University of Michigan Restoring Trust in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mark A. Rothstein, University of Louisville School of Medicine The Harm Done By Media Coverage of Political Disputes about Public Health Measures, Erika Franklin Fowler, Wesleyan University, Sarah Elizabeth Gollust, University of Minnesota School of Public Health

A decade ago, the immigration debate divided Hazleton, PA when the mayor blamed a wave of immigrants for crimes and passed a harsh bill against them. Professor René Flores lays out what happened and how laws like this can actually lead to more violence. For More on This Topic: Read his brief on Hazleton and Arizona, How Restrictive Laws Can Influence Public Attitudes towards Immigrants Check out the NPR story about the history of the town and how it has transformed. Further Reading: Why Does Immigration Arouse Deep Feelings and Conflicts?, John D. Skrentny, UC San Diego How Restrictive Immigration Measures Undermine the Mental Health of Latino Migrants, Whitney L. Duncan, University of Northern Colorado

Residents are experts on their neighborhoods, but their voices often go unheard in local decision making. Professor Tia Gaynor discusses initiatives that bridge the gap between local governments and citizens – and explains how some have fallen short. For More on This Topic: Read her article for the PA Times on the Los Angeles Fire Department Check out her brief, The Unmet Challenge of Fighting Racially Discriminatory Practices in Local U.S. Law Enforcement Agencies Further Reading: Episode 16: Local Agents of Democracy Varieties of Civic Engagement in Contemporary America, Paul Lichterman, University of Southern California How Emergency Managers and Community Organizations Can Cooperate to Handle Disasters, Scott E. Robinson, University of Oklahoma

Millions of Americans struggle to pay their utility bills, and some families are even forced to choose between groceries or energy bills. Professor Tony Reames lays out energy's unequal burden on low-income Americans and suggests ways to move forward. For More on This Topic: Read his brief, Improving the Effectiveness of Federal Energy Assistance for Low-Income Households Check out a Q&A with Professor Reames about his energy justice work Further Reading: Assessing the Accomplishments of the War on Poverty, Martha J. Bailey, University of Michigan, Sheldon Danziger, Russell Sage Foundation and University of Michigan Have Reforms in U.S. Housing Assistance Reduces Neighborhood Poverty?, Ann Owens, University of Southern California

Is the U.S. Constitution about to change? Professor David Marcus lays out why some states are calling for a constitutional convention to introduce amendments. And Professor David Robertson delves into the history behind this founding document. For More on This Topic Read Dave Robertson's book, The Original Compromise: What the Constitution's Framers were Really Thinking Checkout David Marcus's blog post, "The Misguided Article V Convention" Further Reading Why U.S. Conservatives Shape Legislation across the Fifty States Much More Effectively than Liberals, Alexander Hertel-Fernandez, Columbia University, Theda Skocpol, Harvard University How The Roberts Court Undermines U.S. Democracy, Stephen E. Gottlieb, Albany Law School

The Sanders and Trump presidential campaigns both capitalized on emotional speeches and rallies. But politics weren't always this way. Professor Jeremy Young examines the history of how charisma and emotional speaking became essential in elections. For More on This Topic Read his brief, What Emotional Politics More than a Century Ago Says about Winning U.S. Elections Today Check out his book, The Age of Charisma: Leaders, Followers, and Emotions in American Society, 1870-1940 Further Reading Why -- And How -- Modern Politicians Talk About God And Religion, Kevin Coe, University of Utah Are Gender Stereotypes a Problem For Female Candidates?, Nichole Bauer, University of Alabama

Many transgender Americans report being denied a job because of their identity, but that's just one result of the discrimination they face. Professors Eric Grollman and Lisa Miller explain how unfair treatment also harms their mental and physical health. For More on This Topic: Read Miller and Grollman's two-page brief, Discrimination as an Obstacle to Wellbeing for Transgender Americans Check out the blog that Professor Grollman mentions, Conditionally Accepted -- and the blog post by Professor Alex Hanna -- and read their OpEd in USA Today. Further Reading: How Discrimination Hurts Health and Personal Wellbeing, Eric Anthony Grollman, University of Richmond How Fighting Discrimination Can Enhance Well-Being For Aging Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Americans, Gilbert Gonzalez, Vanderbilt University, Carrie Henning-Smith, University of Minnesota The Health Consequences of Moving from Place to Place, Antwan Jones, George Washington University

Since the North American Free Trade Agreement, American processed foods have flooded the Mexican food market -- with dramatic effects on people's health. Professor Alyshia Gálvez explains how Mexico became a dumping ground for America's corn. For More on This Topic: Read her OpEd in the Dallas Morning News, How NAFTA got Mexicans hooked on U.S. junk food, co-authored with Nicholas Freudenberg Check out the book she referenced, The Making of NAFTA: How the Deal Was Done by Maxwell A. Cameron and Brian W. Tomlin Further Reading: Why Taming Corporation Promotion of Dangerous Consumer Products is Vital to Improving Public Health, Nicholas Freudenberg, City University of New York The Misleading Case for Unmanaged Global Free Trade, John A. Miller, Wheaton College Will International Trade Pacts Promote Shared Prosperity?, SSN Spotlight, February 2015

As Congress and the Trump Administration roll back environmental protections, some communities are especially harmed. But Professor David Konisky explains that unequal protection is nothing new, and lays out a history of failed promises by the government. For More on This Topic: Read his two-page brief, The Challenge of Achieving Environmental Protection for All Check out his book, Failed Promises: Evaluating the Federal Government's Response to Environmental Justice Further Reading: Improving the Effectiveness of Federal Energy Assistance for Low-Income Households, Tony G. Reames, University of Michigan How Environmental Toxins Reduce Life Expectancy in Many American Neighborhoods, John I. Gilderbloom, University of Louisville, Gregory D. Squires, George Washington University

What do Iran's elections and Trump's international trip mean for the nuclear deal and US-Iran relations? Professor Kevan Harris discusses the history behind the latest news and paints a different picture of Iranian politics than usually seen in America. For More on This Topic: Look for his upcoming book, A Social Revolution: Politics and the Welfare State in Iran Further Reading: Attacking Iran's Nuclear Facilities Would Likely Radicalize the Islamic Republic's Government and Politics, Matthew Gratias, University of Southern California History Shows that President Obama is Wise to Retain a Military Option to Cripple Iran's Nuclear Facilities, Matthew Kroenig, Georgetown University

Quality of healthcare for women in jail varies widely, but it is the only place in the U.S. where they have a legal right to it. Professor Carolyn Sufrin outlines the policies that led to the contradictory system and suggests ways to move forward. For More on This Topic: Read her 2-page brief, Unsettling Realities Of Care – Especially For Pregnant Women – In U.S. Jails Look for her upcoming book, Jailcare: Finding the Safety Net for Women Behind Bars Further Reading: How "Tough on Crime" Hurts Families, SSN Spotlight, September 2016 Measuring the Social Impact of Mass Imprisonment on America's Black and White Families and Communities, Hedwig Lee, Tyler McCormick, Margaret T. Hicken, Christopher Wildeman Promising Results from a Program That Trains Women Leaving Jail to Work as Birth Doulas, Monica R. McLemore, University of California, San Francisco

Social security, health insurance, and unemployment insurance help Americans through life's ups and downs. Benjamin Veghte explains the benefits and challenges to these programs and offers ways they can adapt to changing jobs and family structures. For More on This Topic: Read his 2015 brief on social security and inequality. Or find the most recent research in his full report, Report to the New Leadership and the American People on Social Insurance and Inequality. Further Reading: How Social Insurance Protects Americans from Growing Economic Risks, Theodore R. Marmor, Yale University How to Fix America's Broken Unemployment Benefits, Alix Gould-Werth, University of Michigan, Alexander Hertel-Fernandez, Columbia University

Food stamps, Social Security, and Medicaid are not the only, or even the largest, social welfare programs in America. Professor Suzanne Mettler reveals how hidden benefits in the tax code promote inequality and how to make them more visible. For More on This Topic: Read her two-page brief, Why Americans Can't See Government - And Why It Matters, Check out this article in New York Times with profiles on who buys homes in America and the impacts of the home mortgage-interest deduction. Further Reading: Reforming Tax Policy For the Wealthiest One Percent, Michael Nau, Ohio State College of Medicine How Republican Approaches to Social Spending Increase Income Inequality in the United States, Christopher Faricy, Syracuse University

In the 1900s, dictators rose to power across Europe as democracies fell to fascists and communists. History Professor Timothy Snyder argues that democracy today is far from invincible, and translates lessons from the 20th century to guide Americans now. For More on This Topic: Read his short best-selling book, On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century. Check out his recent piece in TIME Magazine and listen to his interview on NPR. Further Reading: How Today's Populism Dismantles Democracy Worldwide, Erica Frantz, Michigan State University How Civic Organizations Can Develop Effective Leaders, Attract Members, and Enhance American Democracy, Hahrie Han, University of California, Santa Barbara

Title IX protects against sexual assault and gender discrimination at universities. Celene Reynolds discusses the state of Title IX today, and how a law meant for employment discrimination landed at the center of a movement against campus sexual assault. For More on This Topic: Read her two-page brief, What We Know - and Need to Learn - about Progress against Sex Discrimination in Higher Education. Further Reading: The Dangers of Invoking Cultural Explanations in the Fight Against Sexual Assaults on College Campuses, Meg Mott, Marlboro College How Federal Government Policies Have Helped Women Earn College Degrees, Deondra Rose, Duke University

Changing public opinion and high costs have death sentences in decline in America. Professor Frank Baumgartner explains that when they do happen, race, mental illness, and even location predict who is sentenced and executed — not just the crime. For More on This Topic: Check out his research on state's death penalty system discussed in the Louisiana Weekly. See the latest from the death penalty debate in the New York Times' article on the Arkansas executions. Further Reading: Children of Imprisoned Parents and the Future of Inequality in the United States, Sara Wakefield, Rutgers University, Christopher Wildeman, Cornell University The Troubling Fate of Aged Prisoners on Death Row, Elizabeth Rapaport, University of New Mexico School of Law

Trump's cabinet is the wealthiest in U.S. history. In light of this news, this episode revisits Professor Nicholas Carnes' interview on the effects of a government run by the rich, for the rich, and ways to get working class Americans a seat at the table. For More on this Topic: Check out the New York Times graphic and article on the financial disclosures of the White House. Read his briefs, How Government by the Privileged Distorts Economic Policy and How Government by the Privileged Distorts Democracies. Further Reading: Why Politically Active Billionaires Threaten the Health of Democracy, Darrell M. West, Brookings Institution Who Gets What They Want from Government?, Martin Gilens, Princeton University

Poverty can persist in the same communities for generations, especially communities of color. Professor Darrick Hamilton walks through the policies that prevent people from moving up in the economy and proposes solutions from jobs to schooling to banking. For More on this Topic: Check out his research on 'Baby Bonds' discussed in the Institute for New Economic Thinking. Read his two-page brief, co-authored with William Darity Jr. and Mark Paul. Find the book he referenced, When Affirmative Action Was White by Ira Katznelson. Further Reading: Why America's Women of Color Have Lost Ground Since the Great Recession, Marion Johnson, NC Justice Centre, SSN Basic Facts, October 2015 Financial Deregulation, U.S. Party Politics, and Rising Income Inequality, Nathan J. Kelly, University of Tennessee, Giovanny D. Pleites-Hernandez, Eric Keller, University of Tennessee, February 2016

Development efforts in American cities often push out long-term residents and communities of color. Zeroing in on Baltimore, Professor Brandi Blessett breaks down the intentional and unintentional impacts of urban policy decisions. For More on this Topic: Read more of her work on the impact of public administration on communities of color in her two-page brief. Check out Arnold Hirsch's book on race and housing in Chicago, Making the Second Ghetto. Further Reading: The Health Consequences of Moving From Place to Place, Antwan Jones, George Washington University The Real Baltimore Crisis, Eva Rosen, Johns Hopkins University Episode 19: Changing Neighborhoods for Better or Worse, Jackelyn Hwang

Could we fight unemployment by providing government jobs in construction, child care, and other needed public projects? Professor William Darity explains how a Federal Job Guarantee could work and how similar programs have been effective in the past. For More on this Topic: Check out his oped in The New York Times. Read his two-page brief, co-authored with Darrick Hamilton and Mark Paul. Further Reading: Why Jobless Americans Experience Deep and Prolonged Distress, Cristobal Young, Stanford University, SSN Key Findings The Great Recession and America's Underemployment Crisis, Leif Jensen, Pennsylvania State University, Tim Slack, Louisiana State University, SSN Key Findings

As charter school debates play out at the local level, out-of-state donors are contributing millions of dollars to school board campaigns in cities like Los Angeles and Denver. Professor Sarah Reckhow breaks down who donates and what that money does. For More on this Topic: Read her two-page brief, Can Philanthropists Engineer Effective School Reforms? Check out her research discussed in Futurity and her article "Outsiders with Deep Pockets." Further Reading: The Promising Launch of Community-Oriented Charter Schools in New Orleans, Brian R. Beabout, University of New Orleans, Joseph L. Boselovic, Loyola University New Orleans, SSN Basic Facts Is Wall Street Looking to Profit from School Reform?, Jeff Faux, Economic Policy Institute Rhetoric and Reality in the "All Charter" Approach to School Reform in New Orleans, J. Celeste Lay, Tulane University, SSN Basic Facts

Rollbacks on federal regulations will put American's food at risk. Professor Adam Sheingate explains the risks to consumers and the prospects for food safety in the coming years. He stresses that trust in government is key during food safety crises. For More on this Topic: Read his pieces in Democracy Journal, "In the Era of Trump, be Careful What You Eat" and "Still a Jungle." Check out his two-page brief, Why America's Food is Still Not Safe. Further Reading: How Better U.S. Food Policies Could Foster Improved Health, Safer Jobs, and a More Sustainable Environment, Nicholas Freudenberg, City University of New York School of Public Health and Hunter College, SSN Basic Facts The Vital Mission of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Daniel Carpenter, Harvard University, SSN Basic Facts

As the federal government ramps up deportation efforts, myths about sanctuary cities are widespread. Professor Tom Wong shows how local sanctuary policies lead to safer and economically stronger communities and explains what they can and cannot do. For More on this Topic: Check out his research discussed in The Washington Post and San Diego Union-Tribune. Read his new book, The Politics of Immigration. Further Reading: How Young Immigrants, Communities, and States Benefit from President Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Tom Wong, Spotlight, August 2015 Should Local Police be on the Front Lines of Immigration Enforcement?, Doris Marie Provine, Arizona State University What Does the Supreme Court's Deadlocked Decision on Deferring Deportations Mean for Immigrant Families?, Heide Castañeda, University of South Florida

The outsized influence of money is a problem in U.S. politics. Sean McElwee and Professor Tabatha Abu El-Haj describe how donors skew policy and how getting more people to vote could counter big money in politics where repealing Citizens United cannot. For More on this Topic: Check out McElwee's study, Whose Voice, Whose Choice? Read Professor Abu El-Haj's two-page brief, The Inevitable Limits of Campaign Finance Reform, or her article, Beyond Campaign Finance Reform. Find the recommended articles by Professor Theda Skocpol in Vox and the New York Times. Further Reading: Making Sense of the Koch Network, Theda Skocpol, Harvard University Rising Economic Inequality and Campaign Contributions from Very Wealthy Americans, Adam Bonica, Stanford University, Howard Rosenthal, New York University

Protests that turn violent have been a constant throughout American history. Professor Ashley Howard explains their origins, and how new laws, policing methods, and social media have changed the way people demonstrate. For More on this Topic: Check out her interview in The Chronicle of Higher Education and her piece in The Black Scholar. Read her two-page brief, How U.S. Urban Unrest in the 1960s Can Help Make Sense of Ferguson, Missouri, and Other Recent Protests. Further Reading: How the Ferguson Commission Can Promote Healing and Reconciliation in Metropolitan Saint Louis, Eric Royer, University of Missouri-St. Louis How Social Movements are Using the Internet to Change Politics, Deana A. Rohlinger, Florida State University How Legacies of Urban Racial Segregation Shape Today's Controversies over Police Killings of Black People, Colin Gordon, University of Iowa

Republican majorities in the federal government and in most states are putting protections for abortion, parenting, and birth control rights at risk. Professor Monica McLemore details what the future may hold for reproductive health, rights, and justice. For More on this Topic Read her two-page fact sheet, What Trump Means for Abortion Access, co-authored with Ushma Upadhyay and Alice Cartwright. Check out the "What if Roe Fell" report from the Center for Reproductive Rights, and the policy and advocacy resources from Reproductive Health in Nursing. Explore organizations working toward reproductive justice like the National Network of Abortion Funds, ACCESS Reproductive Justice, Sister Song, and SisterReach. Further Reading: The Future of Reproductive Rights in America, SSN Spotlight, May 2016 What Happened to Women's Health When the State of Ohio Forced the Use of Outdated Abortion Procedures?, Alice Cartwright, Sarah C.M. Roberts, and Ushma Upadhyay, ANSIRH, University of California, San Francisco

Trump and Republican leaders have promised to repeal Obamacare, leaving millions without health insurance. Professor Colleen Grogan breaks down the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, its shortcomings, and key parts of proposed alternatives. For More on this Topic: Read her two-page fact sheet, What Trump Means for the Affordable Care Act, co-authored with Dean Sherry Glied . Check out her brief, Debunking Myths about Medicaid - And Its Expansion, with Theda Skocpol and Katherine Swartz. Further Reading: How Obamacare Repeal Would Harm Rural America, Claire Snell-Rood, University of California, Berkeley, Cathleen E. Willging, Behavioral Health Research Center of the Southwest How Obamacare Helps Americans Who Already Have Health Insurance, Jonathan Oberlander, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Tensions with China are high, North Korea is testing nuclear warheads, and the Philippines is distancing itself. Professor Oriana Skylar Mastro explores the complicated web of U.S. trade and military relations in Asia and highlights potential challenges. For More on this Topic: Check out her two-page brief, Japan, the United States, and the Shifting Balance of Air Power in Northeast Asia. Read her article on China's military transparency as mentioned in the episode. Further Reading: Can Countries Overcome Distrust by Affirming Rather than Downplaying National Identities?, Eun Bin Chung, University of Utah Is Military Aid an Effective Tool for U.S. Foreign Policy?, Patricia L. Sullivan, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Americans across the political spectrum are questioning the integrity of U.S. elections and democracy. Professor Amel Ahmed walks through threats that can erode democracies and encourages protecting institutions, even the controversial Electoral College. For More on this Topic: Check out her piece defending the electoral college in The American Prospect. See the controversial New York Times graph Avi mentioned and a rebuttal in the Washington Post. Read her two-page brief and her book, Democracy and the Politics of Electoral System Choice: Engineering Electoral Dominance. Further Reading: How Government by the Privileged Distorts Democracies, Nicholas Carnes, Duke University, Noam Lupu, Vanderbilt University How International Election Observers Can Help Fledgling Democracies, Leslie E. Anderson, University of Florida

The Supreme Court is helps shape civil rights in the United States, but it is less recognized for its role in intensifying economic inequality. Professor Stephen Gottlieb details cases in the high court that have promoted these inequalities. For More on this Topic: Read two-page brief, How the Roberts Court Undermines U.S. Democracy, or his book, Unfit for Democracy: The Roberts Court and the Breakdown of American Politics. Check out his blog or commentary on WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Further Reading: The Changing Relationship of Congress and the Federal Judiciary, Bruce Peabody, Fairleigh Dickinson University County Right-to-Work Laws as the Latest Tactic to Undercut American Labor Unions, Raymond Hogler, Colorado State University

A voting rule no one is talking about could change the face of elections across the country. Professor Zoltan Hajnal explains how combining national, state, and local election days would boost turnout and reduce disparities in voting and representation. For More on this Topic: Check out his two-page brief, To Avert the Next Ferguson, Reschedule Elections to Make Local Politics More Representative Read his book, America's Uneven Democracy: Turnout, Race, and Representation in City Politics. Further Reading: How The Timing of Elections Shapes Turnout, Election Outcomes, and Public Policy, Sarah F. Anzia, University of California, Berkeley Do Election Reforms Promote Equal Participation?, Elizabeth Rigby, The George Washington University

Professor Heather Lee tells the story of how a loophole in the Chinese Exclusion Act led to the Chinese restaurant boom in America. Drawing parallels to today, she explains the unintended impacts of the law on the U.S. and China.

Professor Gabriel Sanchez breaks down the Latino vote in the 2016 election and unpacks the controversy and misinterpretation of exit poll data on Latinos. He discusses where these voters stand on immigration, the economy, and healthcare.