Government
The Rise of Trump: Harvard Professors Weigh In
Three weeks before the presidential election, the basement of Boylston Hall is filled with John Oliver’s voice, blaring, “Make Donald Drumpf Again.”
Regardless of Question 4 Vote, Harvard Likely to Keep Marijuana Ban On Campus
Harvard students excited for the possibility of legalized marijuana in Massachusetts may find it sobering that, if Harvard follows the paths of other universities, the drug will likely remain banned on campus even if Massachusetts Ballot Question 4 passes.
Former Defense Secretary Hagel Calls Trump 'Not a Republican Leader'
Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Charles T. "Chuck" Hagel lamented the current state of American presidential politics at the Kennedy School on Tuesday, chastising the GOP and its presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Mayor Walsh
Mayor Walsh outlines his efforts to drive inclusion in local government. The talk was moderated by Patricia S. Bellinger '83, the Executive Director of the Center for Public Leadership.
‘Disheartening’ Final Presidential Debate Draws Laughter, Gasps
With Election Day less than three weeks away, students both laughed and gasped while watching Democratic presidential nominee Hillary R. Clinton and Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump go head to head in the final presidential debate Wednesday night.
Five Harvard Grads Running for Senate in 2016
With 34 U.S. Senate seats up for grabs in the midst of a tense 2016 election season, Harvard boasts its fair share of contenders with hats in the ring.
Jeb Bush to Join Kennedy School as Visiting Fellow this Fall
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush will join the Kennedy School as a visiting fellow in the Program on Education Policy and Governance this fall.
Faust Defends Tax-Exempt Endowment In D.C.
University President Drew G. Faust traveled to Washington D.C. this week to advocate for maintaining the tax-exempt status of Harvard’s $37.6 billion endowment and increasing federal research funding.
In Crowded Overseers Race, Ralph Nader Stands Out
A five-time U.S. presidential candidate and longtime public figure, Nader—a Harvard Law School graduate who built his career on consumer protection activism and environmentalism—seemed an odd fit for a University governing board, much less as a member of Unz’s “Free Harvard, Fair Harvard” ticket.
Q&A with Michael Chertoff
Michael Chertoff '75, who served as the second Secretary of Homeland Security from 2005 to 2009 under President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, talks immigration, Ebola, and cyber security.
Former US Secretary of Commerce Reflects on Successes
Gary F. Locke, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and former U.S. ambassador to China, reflected on his political experiences and the future of U.S.-China relations at the Institute of Politics on Tuesday.
Flint Mayor Criticizes State For Role in Water Crisis
Flint, Mich. mayor Karen W. Weaver reflected on the city’s unfolding water crisis and emphasized the importance of utilizing existing channels of government to respond to local issues at the Institute of Politics’ John F. Kennedy Jr. forum Friday.
Harvard Hits Roadblock in CS50 Trademark Applications
Harvard’s attempt to trademark the name of CS50, the College’s introductory computer science course, hit a snag in early March when the United States Patent and Trademark Office refused portions of the University’s application.
US Secretary of Homeland Security at the IOP
United States Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh C. Johnson spoke to the public at John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum on Monday night. In a wide-ranging talk, Johnson lectured on a variety of topics, including his ongoing initiatives to address the issues of homegrown terrorism, border, and aviation security.
Dominance of Western Perspectives Troubles the Social Sciences
American and Western European foci and schools of thought continue to dominate social science fields at Harvard, frustrating some students and faculty even as other perspectives and methods grow.
Law School Affiliates Remember Alum Scalia for Fiery Personality, Contributions to Law
Harvard Law School affiliates remembered alumnus and Supreme Court Justice Antonin G. Scalia, who died Saturday at age 79, for his vibrant, fiery personality and his substantial contributions to United States law.
Painting Myanmar
People eat hors d’oeuvres and view the work on display at the opening of “Altered State: Painting Myanmar in a Time of Transition.” The gallery, featuring paintings by Burmese artists, went up in CGIS South Concourse Thursday evening.
Economist Stein Brings Crisis Experience to the Classroom
Though he occasionally steals away to shape the nation's economic policy, Jeremy Stein always returns to his office at the Littauer Center for Economics, equipped with a whole new palette of experiences to recolor his curriculum.
Foreign Legal Issues Can Inform U.S. Courts, Breyer Says
U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen G. Breyer gave his remarks at a John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum event at the Institute of Politics Friday afternoon.
Lepore Challenges Premise of Polling in American Politics
While response rates to public opinion polls have plummeted from more than 90 percent in the 1930s to the low single digits today, professor Jill Lepore argued that polls are paradoxically affecting American elections more than ever.
Fifteen Minutes with Ambassador Wendy Sherman
I spend the week leading up to my interview with Ambassador Wendy Sherman, America’s chief negotiator on the Iran deal, negotiating the terms of our meeting. The ambassador’s office and I come to the following deal: I will have exactly 15 minutes for a Q & A, including the time it takes to photograph the ambassador. I must send over the topics I will cover in advance. I must also accept the fact that there will be another person in the room, who looks and acts exactly like Tom Hagen, Don Corleone’s consigliere.
EdX Course on Mao Raises Questions of Propaganda
The course has garnered controversy, with some questioning whether it objectively teaches Mao Zedong’s theories, strategies, and policies and calling it a reiteration of the Chinese Communist Party ideology.
Earnest Defends Contentious White House-Press Relationship
Earnest highlighted the tension present in his role as press secretary, saying that he welcomes conflict between the administration and the press, calling it “part of what makes for a healthy democracy.”
Hillary Clinton Shined at Debate, Harvard Professors Say
Harvard professors agree on one thing: Hillary R. Clinton emerged as the winner of the debate and the frontrunner for the Democratic Party’s nomination.
Wendy Sherman, Chief Negotiator, Talks Iran Deal
The former State Department official, who served as the lead American negotiator of the nuclear deal between Iran and a group of six countries led by the U.S., spoke candidly about the historic diplomatic effort.