About the Seminar
Dr. Pu-tsung King, widely regarded as the most important aide of President Ma Ying-jeou, Republic of China (Taiwan), will speak on the ruling party’s Cross-Strait policy, especially as it might contrast with that of Taiwan’s opposition party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), and its implications for the United States.

About the Speaker
Dr. Pu-Tsung King is the executive director of President Ma Ying-jeou’s 2012 reelection campaign office and served as secretary general of the Kuomingtang (KMT) from December 2009 to January 2011.

Martin Gilens, Princeton University

About the Seminar
By allowing voters to choose among candidates with competing policy orientations and by providing incentives for incumbents to shape policy in the direction the public desires, elections are thought to provide the foundation that links government policy to the preferences of the governed. In this seminar, Gilens examines the extent to which the preference/policy link is biased toward the preferences of high-income Americans. Using an original data set of almost two thousand survey questions on proposed policy changes between 1981 and 2002, he finds a moderately strong relationship between what the public wants and what the government does, albeit with a strong bias toward the status quo. But he also finds that when Americans with different income levels differ in their policy preferences, actual policy outcomes strongly reflect the preferences of the most affluent but bear virtually no relationship to the preferences of poor or middle-income Americans. The vast discrepancy he finds in government responsiveness to citizens with different incomes stands in stark contrast to the ideal of political equality that Americans hold dear. Although perfect political equality is an unrealistic goal, representational biases of this magnitude call into question the very democratic character of our society.... Read more about Affluence and Influence: Economic Inequality and Political Power in the United States

Dou Yupei, Vice Minister of Civil Affairs, People’s Republic of China
Co-sponsored by the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations

About the Seminar
At this seminar, Dou Yupei will lead a discussion on China’s current policies and services available to the elderly. As China’s Vice Minister of Civil Affairs, he oversees social welfare programs within the Ministry, with a strong emphasis on policymaking for the elderly. While this Ministry normally focuses on aid to those who fall outside of regular social service programs, much current debate is underway in China on which Ministry will take the lead on formulating policy to address China’s aging problem. The Vice Minister will address such debate and talk more broadly about the country’s aging issues as well as newly created services for the elderly.

In Chinese with translation available.... Read more about Growing Old in China: New Services for the Elderly

About the Webinar
This Webinar will examine the Urban League’s Neighborhoods@Work program, a three-year-old collaboration with the LAPD that has contributed to a significant drop in homicides in the Park Mesa Heights neighborhood in central Los Angeles. The audience should leave with an understanding of how these two partners, along with dozens of others, originally came together; the key elements that have contributed to their success; and tangible policy implications and lessons that they could apply to their own work.

The panel will feature:

• Blair Taylor, CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League

• Charlie Beck, Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department... Read more about Unlikeliest of Partnerships?

About the Webinar
A report being released on August 17, 2011, compares U.S. proficiency in math and reading with that of other industrialized nations and considers the implications for long term economic growth.

The Harvard Study shows each state’s international standing in math and reading achievement. This study will become available on August 17, 2011, at 11 am ET. It has been prepared under the auspices of Harvard’s Program on Education Policy and Governance (PEPG) and Education Next at the Taubman Center for State and Local Government at the Harvard Kennedy School.... Read more about Globally Challenged: Are U.S. Students Ready to Compete?

An Example from New York City Public Schools

About the Webinar
This Webinar will explore iZone, an initiative of New York City’s Department of Education. iZone consists of a unique community of innovative schools committed to personalizing learning. Through the use of real-time information, community and corporate partnerships, digital media, and clustering of innovative schools, iZone is creating and growing pockets of progress. What lessons are NYC schools learning about the process of education innovation? How are these lessons captured and shared with others?... Read more about Building a Culture of Innovation in Government