La Follette Forum 2022: American Power, Prosperity, and Democracy
The La Follette School hosted its third La Follette Forum, funded by the Kohl Initiative and the Center for European Studies, on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.
This event convened experts from academia, journalism, private industry, and public policy to address three of the most serious challenges confronting the U.S. in decades:
- The COVID-19 pandemic, economic crises, and the threats they pose to the future of American prosperity
- The rise of China and the challenge it poses to the world order and the future of global American power and leadership
- The rise of authoritarianism and the threat it poses to the future of American democracy
Recordings
Recordings of the three sessions are available on our YouTube page.
Photos
Browse images from the Forum, which took place at Madison’s Monona Terrace.
Presenters
Jamelle Bouie
New York Times columnist and CBS News political analyst. Speaking on Session 3: Democracy.
Paul Blustein BA’73
Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation. Speaking on Session 2: Power.
Oriana Skylar Mastro
Center Fellow, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University. Speaking on Session 2: Power.
Adam Posen
President, Peterson Institute for International Economics. Speaking on Session 1: Prosperity.
Catherine Rampell
Opinion Columnist, Washington Post. Speaking on Session 1: Prosperity.
Daniel Ziblatt
Eaton Professor of the Science of Government, Harvard University. Speaking on Session 3: Democracy.
Session topics
Prosperity: Crises, Debt & the Future of American Economic Policy
In recent years, the Great Recession, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the global financial crisis have completely reshaped the U.S. economy and resulted in a troubling rise in inequality.
Power: The Rise of China & the Future of American Foreign Policy
With China’s rapid rise as a world power, America’s role on the world stage is quickly evolving.
Democracy: The Authoritarian Challenge & the Future of American Democracy
This panel will address what lessons can be learned from American history and other countries’ experiences with threats to democracy such as authoritarianism and populism.
Schedule
8:15 – 9 a.m. Check-In and Breakfast
9 – 9:15 a.m. Opening Remarks
9:15 – 10:45 a.m. Session 1: Prosperity
Crises, Debt & the Future of American Economic Policy
11:00 a.m. – 1 p.m. Lunch and Breakout Discussions
1:15 – 2:45 p.m. Session 2: Power
The Rise of China & the Future of American Foreign Policy
3 – 4:30 p.m. Session 3: Democracy
The Authoritarian Challenge & the Future of American Democracy
4:30 – 6 p.m. Closing Remarks, Reception & Networking
La Follette Forum 2022 Advisory Committee
La Follette Forum 2022 Chair
Ruben Anthony, President & CEO, Urban League of Greater Madison
Zach Brandon, Chamber President, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce
Barry Burden, Professor, UW–Madison Department of Political Science
Jason Fields, President, Madison Region Economic Partnership
David Haynes, Ideas Lab Editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Missy Hughes, Secretary & CEO, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Tana Johnson, Professor, UW–Madison La Follette School of Public Affairs & Department of Political Science
Michael Knetter, CEO, Wisconsin Foundation & Alumni Association
Jeff Mayers, President, WisPolitics.com
Jay Nash, President, Madison International Trade Association
John Ohnesorge, Professor, UW Law School
Jessie Opoien, Capitol Bureau Chief, The Cap Times
Randy Romanski, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection