Illuminating the Arts-Policy Nexus 

New York Times editorial board member David C. Unger argues that the US security policy since World War II has failed to make the nation safer--in fact, it has made the country more vulnerable to threats. In this discussion, Unger proposes 10 ways for the US to change course.

While the United States is still reeling from the effects of the 2008 financial crisis, China’s economy weathered the global economic crisis much better, and is now predicted to outpace the U.S. economy as the largest in the world by 2020. In this Political Salon, Ann Lee adds much needed nuance to the debates over China’s role in the global economy and as a rising world power.

The new book Wanted Women focuses on the radical choices of two women who followed very different paths at the nexus of Islam and women’s rights in the defining conflict of our time: the battle between fundamentalist Islam and the West. Moderated by Patricia DeGennaro, this Political Salon with author Deborah Scroggins raises challenging questions about loyalties, culture, security, human rights, and freedom of expression.

Bhopali documents the experience of second generation children affected by the Union Carbide gas disaster of 1984, the worst industrial disaster in history, and subsequent contamination of groundwater by Union Carbide Corporation (an American company now owned by Dow Chemical, the second largest chemical company in the world). It follows several children as they and their families cope with the ongoing medical and social disaster, as well as their memories of that traumatizing night that shocked the world and changed Bhopal forever. Set against the backdrop of vehement protests for the 25th anniversary of the disaster, the Bhopalis continue to fight for justice, proving to be anything but victims.

During the past year, citizen-led protests against governments that have failed to deliver equality of opportunity–from the Arab Spring to India to European debtor nations to the Occupy movement in the United States-have had worldwide resonance, yet varying degrees of success. In this discussion, Mira Kamdar examines the global implications these protest movements, focusing on India's crisis of governance.

What are the right combinations of policies to jump-start growth and re-prioritize government spending? Will economic policy makers resort to “financial repression” – suppressing interest rates and in turn the cost of rolling over debt? Hans Humes, president of Greylock Capital Management, with moderator Michele Wucker, President of World Policy Institute, lead a discussion of possible paths out of the debt mess.

In True Wealth, economist and best-selling author Juliet Schor argues that the old way out of an economic downturn―a debt-financed consumer boom―is no longer a viable option. With a view towards new trends in economic theory, social analysis, and ecological design, Schor reveals how innovation, macroeconomic balance, and a new attention to multiple sources of wealth --such as discretionary time, dignified work, creativity, vibrant communities and a secure sense of well-being-- can lead to a healthier environment and higher quality of life.

On September 23 in New York City, the Womensphere Global Summit & Awards brings together global leaders, entrepreneurs, social innovators, and industry leaders across business, finance, technology, energy, environment, media, sciences, and public policy. The Summit agenda is on "Creating the Future," and will center on the themes of women’s leadership, innovation, ventures, economic growth, sustainability and social impact.

In the sixth edition of the World Economic Roundtable, Oxford Analytica CEO Nader Mousavizadeh discusses the intersection of the European debt crisis, emerging markets as a potential driver of global growth, and the multiple risks to the world economy in an archipelago world.