January 25, 2019
Tyler Cowen, Holbert C. Harris Chair in Economics at George Mason University
"Economics vs. Philosophy: Which Will Come Out on Top?"
Tyler Cowen will consider the relative strengths and weaknesses of economic and philosophical reasoning, and how the two modes of thought might be best integrated.
March 8, 2018
Jon Grossman, Union Organizer
"Challenges Facing the Labor Movement—An Organizer's Perspective"
Jon Grossman will discuss the challenges facing today's labor movement, as seen through the experiences of a life-long labor activist. Grossman will discuss whether strategies for short term survival conflict with long term social change, what role leadership plays in democratic membership-based organizations, how workers should confront the need for industries to change, if there is a conflict between treating workers fairly and providing quality services, and how changes in the organization of work might impact organizing.
March 16, 2017
Fred Keller, Founder and Chair of Cascade Engineering
"Business Inspired Community Change+"
This talk will be based on the presenter's extensive experience in creating change models in west Michigan. These change models have been based on business practices and have encouraged new methodologies for making a positive change in communities which in turn can inform state and national policy.
April 13, 2016
Eileen Jerrett, Film Director
"Blueberry Soup: How Iceland Changed the Way We Think About the World"
Blueberry Soup is an extraordinary documentary about the constitutional change in Iceland following the financial crisis of 2008. This is a not-well-known story of grassroots constitutionalism, an inspiration to the rest of the world. The film is a deeply touching account of an eclectic group of individuals reinventing democracy through the rewriting of the nation's constitution.
