By Kristina D. Lorch and Jill E. Steinman – November 7, 2013 Harvard Crimson
“For the first time in recent history, the most conservative Democrat in Congress is more liberal than the most liberal Republican, said Harvard Kennedy School professor Thomas E. Patterson Wednesday evening.
“During a panel discussion titled “Too Many Checks, No Balance: Partisan Brinkmanship or a Shrinking Presidency?,” Patterson and David King, a lecturer at the Kennedy School, discussed the roots of the current political gridlock and its impact...
Malkin Penthouse, Littaeur Building, 79 JFK St, Cambridge, MA
Tom Patterson, Bradlee Professor of Government and the Press, David King, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy, and Archon Fung, Ford Foundation Professor of Democracy and Citizenship (Moderator)
About the Event Coming close on the heels of the recent federal government shutdown and narrowly avoided default, this discussion will explore the relationship between the president and Congress. What have we learned from recent events about the shifting nature of power between the executive and legislative branches? How have different presidents, in relation to Congress, approached leadership and authority; negotiation and compromise? Is partisan brinksmanship the new norm both in Congress and in the relationship between the president and Congress? What is driving the gridlock? Where is the greatest potential for change? What can individual citizens do?... Read more about Too Many Checks, No Balance: Partisan Brinkmanship or a Shrinking Presidency as the New Normal?
Malkin Penthouse, Littauer Building (4th Floor), Harvard Kennedy School
Speaker: The Honorable Yasutoshi Nishimura, Senior Vice-Minister of the Cabinet Office, the Government of Japan
Cosponsors: Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government, and the Japan Caucus, Harvard Kennedy School; Program on U.S.-Japan Relations, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University; and Japan Society Boston
Synopsis: Mr. Nishimura will discuss the true intention and expected evolution of Abenomics. As a member of the Abe administration since December 2012, Mr. Nishimura has been involved in Abenomics policymaking, with particular focus on growth strategies. He will also give his thoughts on future Japan-U.S. relations and his reflections on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) negotiations.
Weil Town Hall and Starr Auditorium, Belfer Building, 79 JFK St, Cambridge, MA
Hosted by Tech for Change, a student group at Harvard Kennedy School
About the Event The Ash Center is delighted to co-sponsor Harvard Kennedy School’s first hackathon, America’s Datafest. The event will convene policy wonks, computer programmers, immigrant advocates, data scientists and business experts for a one-day event committed to helping solve some of the biggest challenges related to immigration. Over the course of the day, participants will form teams, brainstorm ideas, design prototypes, and present solutions – a mobile app, business plan, new product, data insight, or something completely different. The winning two teams, selected by a panel of local experts, will compete for the global prize.... Read more about America’s Datafest with Tech4Change
About the Seminar Are presidents and prime ministers – whether Thatcher, Blair, Reagan or Obama – responsible for the dysfunctions of democratic governance today? In this seminar, Stein Ringen argues that they are. The role of the chief executive in ensuring good governance is to “maintain order in a nation of devils,” a concept Ringen borrows from Immanuel Kant. They inevitably face opposition from those seeking to frustrate their plan – whether in moving a giant bureaucracy or in ensuring citizen compliance.... Read more about Leading a Nation of Devils: How to Get Things Done in a Democracy
Please join us at Harvard Kennedy School on October 22 for a highly interactive and engaging seminar, “The Solution Revolution: How Business, Government and Social Enterprises Are Teaming Up to Solve Society’s Toughest Problems.” In this session, best-selling author William D. Eggers, a Research Director at Deloitte, will discuss the findings from his new book coauthored with Paul Macmillan (published by Harvard Business Press). The Solution Revolution brings hope to those tackling towering social problems, revealing a burgeoning new economy where players from across the spectrum of business, government, philanthropy, and social enterprise converge to solve big problems and create public value.... Read more about The Solution Revolution
The Program on Crisis Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School welcomes Brigadier General (ret.) Meir Elran, Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Homeland Security Program at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) in Tel Aviv, Israel. In this seminar, Brig. Gen. Elran will discuss a range of hazards – both natural and manmade – that threaten the Israeli homefront and explore how the country approaches risk reduction and disaster management.... Read more about Disaster Management and Risk Reduction: An Israeli Perspective
The Ash Center and the Irish Tax Institute Global Tax Policy Conference 2013
About the Conference International leaders in tax policy and administration will address this landmark conference which will be a “must attend” event for tax advisers, tax policymakers, officials from Treasury and Revenue authorities, academics, fiscal economists, and corporate heads of tax/policy.
Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s visit to Ireland, this conference will provide attendees with expert perspectives on the challenges to be addressed across the world by tax policymakers and administrators. Speakers and delegates at the conference – entitled “Shaping Tax Policy – The Global Landscape” – will explore how tax policy can deliver on economic and social change; what drivers determine tax policy around the world and the challenges currently facing senior tax policy makers and administrators.... Read more about Shaping Tax Policy – The Global Landscape
Dr. Prasarn Trairatvorakul, Governor of the Bank of Thailand Nye A & B Co-sponsored by the Harvard University Asia Center
About the Seminar Dr. Prasarn Trairatvorakul, Governor of the Bank of Thailand, will discuss challenges of transitioning to the next phase of growth in Asian emerging markets emphasizing the importance of institutional building and how this happens on the ground. A combination of domestic reforms and external shocks has dramatically altered the Asian market environment, and the capacity of Asian economies to evolve and adapt will be key factors determining their success in future efforts to achieve robust, sustainable, and inclusive growth.... Read more about From Here to There: Economic Transition in Emerging Markets