Institute of Politics

One of the marvelous things about being here is the IOP. Again, go to the KSG website and on the left hand side, click on Institute of Politics. This is often called the 'sixth course' as the number of speakers, panels, dinner discussions etc with amazing figures from all walks of life and around the planet are available in abundance EVERY week. It's an education unto itself.

The Forum kicked off it's fall season today with Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor under President Clinton. The KSG Dean, David Ellwood (A MINNESOTAN!) served under Clinton as well, so fun to hear him introduce Bob Reich.

He gave a very thoughtful and provocative talk based on his new book “Supercapitalism: The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life.” Tonight's talk was Why has Capitalism Triumphed and Democracy Failed?”

He asks us to really start paying attention to our 'consumer/investor brain" and our 'citizen brain.' The consumer who wants the good deal and the investor who wants the good returns vs the citizen who knows these deals cost us dearly as a society. When companies pay low wages, don't provide health insurance, etc. the costs get 'exported' to all of us at the emergency room, the food shelves and all the other countless ways where business is not paying their full costs of production. His premise is also that companies exist to make a profit--that we, as citizens of a democracy have to set the rules--such as "you must provide a living wage or health care." Otherwise the competition is so intense today that companies won't do what's good for society as a whole and we can't expect them to. I, of course, am paraphrasing him poorly so do read the book or a good review of it. I also think you will be able to watch the video on the IOP website soon...probably the easiest way to get a good feel for his thinking.

My point is that the education you get here is partly in the classroom but mostly from your fellow students and the incredible access to the best thinkers on the planet. More soon.....