Rethinking Politics

8: Education Outcomes & Charter Schools

Join us as we tear into another controversial subject: Public Education. Last week we talked about disparity in outcomes and how understanding disparities and outcomes clarifies the issue of racism. Here we look at public education and the best way to improve some of those negative outcomes. While there are alternatives like private schools and home school, we discuss how charter schools are already making enormous differences in the areas with the worst outcomes. We just have to get out of their way.

Music: Beauty Flow by Kevin Macleod
Photo: Element5 Digital on Unsplash

7: Racism: Definitions, Disparities, & Outcomes

Talking about racism is rarely easy, but it becomes much more difficult when the person you are talking to has a completely different definition of racism than you do. To clarify this surprisingly complicated issue, we analyse ideas from some of the most popular voices on racism: Ibram X. Kendi and Robin Diangelo. As we discuss and dissect their ideas, we talk about systemic racism, racial disparities, the concept of equality, and the complex factors that shape outcomes.

 

Music: Beauty Flow by Kevin Macleod

Photo: Clay Banks on Unsplash

6: The Authority of Law & Civil Disobedience

From Portland in 2020, to Boston in 1773, protests have always been a part of American life. Drawing on the wisdom of thinkers like Thoreau, Brad and Dan discuss the moral basis of law. Then, using historical examples like the Salt March of Ghandi and the Montgomery Bus Boycotts, they explore practical examples of civil disobedience. They also explore the reasons people use to justify legal injustice and some of the reasons we go along with laws when we shouldn’t.

Music: Beauty Flow by Kevin Macleod  

Photo by Koshu Kunii on Unsplash

5: Hamilton & Two Party Partisanship

Many people have heard of the musical "Hamilton" but not many realize how applicable it is to current events. Brad and Dan jump in head first, nerding out over some of their favorite moments as well as expounding on some of the political wisdom and history inside. But this episode is more than Alexander Hamilton, it focuses on the political climate of overly aggressive partisanship and the solutions to our tribal system.  

Music: Beauty Flow by Kevin Macleod.  
Photo by Sudan Ouyang on Unsplash

4: Capitalism & Inequality

Capitalism. Inequality. Railroads. Robber Barons. Exploitation. Need I say more? Join Brad and Dan as they take a look at the economic theory behind Capitalism, and the effect it has on inequality in the modern world.  

Music: Beauty Flow by Kevin Macleod. 

Photo by Roberto Júnior on Unsplash

3: Risk & Covid 19

For anyone who isn't sick of hearing about Covid-19, have we got a treat for you. Join Brad and Dan as they explore some of the issues involved with the Coronavirus outbreak. From WW2 to partisan forest fires, they peel back the surface issues to get beyond the rhetoric and find the real questions.  

Music: Beauty Flow by Kevin Macleod. 

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

2: The War On Drugs

Dan and Brad bite off more than they can chew by tackling the war on drugs. We talk about oddities like Prohibition and hallucinogenic berries in addition to drug statistics and the effects of legality on economic forces. We warned you we would take an unusual approach and we delivered in part by critiquing supply and demand for assassins in John Wick. All to distinguish what causes what problems in the war on drugs.  

 

Music: Beauty Flow by Kevin Macleod. 

Photo by Rotorhead from FreeImages

1: The Basis for Police Authority

Dan and Brad rethink the hottest and most controversial subject of the day - Policing. But instead of the usual talking points, they examine police authority from the ground up. Analyzing things like the morality of stolen berries and lethal energy drinks, they go on to show how the usual ideas lead to specific systemic problems and bad practices like no-knock raids, partial immunity, civil asset forfeiture, and more. 

Music: Beauty Flow by Kevin MacLeod. 

Photo by simon stratford from FreeImages