No Class: October 9

With the economy near full employment and wages rising, why the angst about the middle class? How much immigration is “too much”? Do trillion-dollar deficits matter? Why the public paranoia about “socialism”? Can globalization be saved? Like the debt and global warming, these are questions generated by problems that will not vanish if nothing is done. The root(s) of the problem is not in the White House.

We are a deeply divided nation: polarized politically, living in tribal silos with conflicting values, and very different views of public policy options. This course is NOT about the 2020 candidates; the focus will be on the major issues that divide us – the facts, analysis, and the policy options. Participants will be expected to participate in every class and to do several hours of reading each week.