Maxwell School News and Commentary

"For those who might totally dismiss such a scheme, by saying that it amounts to socialism, let me remind them that many believers in the power of markets, including myself, have throughout been in support of cash transfers as the least distortionary method of redistribution and fighting poverty," writes Devashish Mitra, professor of economics and Gerald B. and Daphna Cramer Professor of Global Affairs.

"I’d argue that much of the dysfunction we see in online interactions is just a symptom of much larger and older social problems, including but not limited to racism and misogyny," says Emily Thorson, assistant professor of political science.

According to Shannon Monnat, Lerner Chair for Public Health Promotion, the recent decline in life expectancy "is due almost entirely" to increases in overdoses and suicides. "Although the declines are small, they are unprecedented, and they are signals that there is a serious well-being crisis in the U.S."

"The alliance has had overwhelming positive influence and maintained its relevance," writes Robert Murrett, professor of practice of public administration and international affairs.

On presidential candidate John Delaney's suggestion that if elected, he would debate Congress four times a year, Professor Grant Reeher opines: "I can see that this is an effort to change the political culture by requiring direct engagement, but the participants have to agree to take the exercise at face value, in front of TV cameras, and the political disincentives against doing that right now are strong."

Gladys McCormick, the Jay and Debe Moskowitz Endowed Chair in Mexico-U.S. Relations at the Maxwell School, was published in The Hill. She writes about the interpolation by the Trump administration of southern border refugees as Mexican, whereas these immigrants are also fleeing Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador as well.

According to Emily Thorson, assistant professor of political science, negative misinformation about a politician of an opposing party is hard to shake, even after people learn that the original story was false.

Catherine Gerard, director of the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration, discusses the importance of peacebuilding, dialogue and local efforts in combatting violence against women across the globe. She appeared on a documentary featuring a local women's group, Women Transcending Boundaries, which is a group that fosters a community of women from many faith and cultural traditions seeking to nurture mutual respect and understanding.

According to Mary Lovely, professor of economics, China's leadership is "looking for friends everywhere." And with France being an important player in Europe, "they're also looking to continue to diversify their portfolio in terms of where they do business and how they do business," she says.