La Follette Forum 2022: American Power, Prosperity & Democracy

Jamelle Bouie of The New York Times and CBS News and Catherine Rampell of The Washington Post will join other experts in economic policy and international relations at the La Follette School’s third annual Forum, American Power, Prosperity & Democracy, on May 4 at Monona Terrace. Bouie, who covers U.S. politics, public policy, elections, and race, will share his unique perspective on how policymakers and citizens can use the power of information and their knowledge of history to make a difference during a panel focused on the future of American democracy. Rampell, who is also a political and economic commentator for CNN, has written for The New York Times, and launched and produced the blog Economix, will discuss American prosperity and the economy. She takes a data-driven approach to her coverage of economics, public policy, immigration, and politics. Chaired by Public Affairs and Political Science Professor Mark Copelovitch, the Forum will explore the most serious challenges confronting the United States in decades, including:

• The rise of authoritarianism and the threat it poses to the future of American democracy
• The COVID-19 pandemic and the recent economic crises, and their effects on American prosperity
• The rise of China and the challenge it poses to the world order and American power and leadership

With the war in Ukraine upending the global economy and the world order, these issues could not be more relevant today. Bouie and Rampell will be joined by UW–Madison scholars in economic policy and governance, speakers from private industry, and these national experts:

• Paul Blustein: Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation
• Oriana Skyler Mastro: Center Fellow, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University
• Adam Posen: President, Peterson Institute for International Economics
• Daniel Ziblatt, Eaton Professor of the Science of Government, Harvard University

The La Follette Forum is free to attend, thanks to the Kohl Initiative and the UW–Madison Center for European Studies and will be available for livestream viewing in real-time or after the conference. The in-person event will feature several networking opportunities for participants, including an evening reception. To find more information and to register, visit go.wisc.edu/LaFolletteForum.