Public Policy Programs

Eliot Society

The Center’s Eliot Society Programs were created to educate Weidenbaum Center members on key topics in public policy, give Center faculty and staff and opportunity to work with and get to know members better, and solicit members opinions and suggestions. Programs typically focus on economic and political issues that are important to the nation and the world, as well as the St. Louis area.

Breakfasts
Weidenbaum Center Eliot Society members are invited to a monthly (during the academic semester) breakfast meetings featuring experts from academia, government, and business discussing timely topics.

Luncheons  

 

These current affairs round table discussions enable major Center donors (Eliot Society level and above) to interact with faculty experts from a broad spectrum.

Excursions
This occasional program offers members an opportunity to participate in an all-inclusive guided tour to museums, historic sites, government buildings, or other places of interest to Weidenbaum Center donors.

learn more about the Eliot Society

 

 

The Weidenbaum Center hosts a series of lectures each academic year dealing with current economic and political issues. These three-part lectures give in-depth coverage of a topic.

You can access streaming video on the series that have taken place below.

 

Political Polarization Series

Causes and Consequences of Polarization in Modern American Politics

On September 28, 2015, Steven Smith gave the first in a series of lectures on Political Polarization.

Campaign Civility Under Preferential and Plurality Voting in US Cities

On October 26, 2015, Caroline Tolbert, Professor of Political Science at University of Iowa, gave the second lecture in the Political Polarization series.

Insecure Majorities: Congress and the Perpetual Campaign

On February 10, 2016, Frances Lee, Professor of Government & Politics at the University of Maryland, gave the third lecture in the Political Polarization series.

 

Understanding the Great Recession and What Comes Next Series

Rising Financial Fragility in the "Consumer Age" - Seeds of Collapse

On January 30, 2013, Steve Fazzari gave the first of three lectures on the "Great Recession."

Anatomy of a Historic Recession

On February 13, 2013, Steve Fazzari gave the second of three lectures on the "Great Recession."

Challenges to Recovery: Why Is it So Slow? What Can Policy Do to Help?

On February 27, 2013, Steve Fazzari gave the third of three lectures on the "Great Recession."

 

The Dysfunctional Senate Series

The History of the Senate: A Special Role in the American System

On November 1, 2011, Steven S. Smith gave the first of three lectures on "The Dysfunctional Senate."

The Contemporary Senate: Clubby, Individualistic, and Partisan

On November 15, 2011, Steven S. Smith gave the second of three lectures on "The Dysfunctional Senate."

The Future of the Senate: The Case for Reform

On November 29, 2011, Steven Smith gave the third of three lectures on "The Dysfunctional Senate."

 

Additional Lectures

An Update on the Senate Syndrome: The Democrats Crack Down on Senate Filibusters

On February 10, 2014, Steve Smith gave a lecture on Senate filibusters.