Politics of the Present: Rhetoric and Evidence in a Polarized Society

Coming To Terms With A Polarized Society event.

Mario Small will discuss why the public discourse on poverty, inequality, and economic opportunity requires improving our qualitative, not just quantitative, literacy. He argues that the public discourse about these problems is undermined by an inability to communicate evidence about their causes and potential solutions. Some of this evidence is statistical, but much of it stems from qualitative studies about the lives and communities of the disadvantaged. He argues that an enhancement of qualitative reasoning would allow more serious consideration of the evidence, enhance public discourse, and lead to a more effective politics. ​

Robert Krulwich and Nick Lemann will provide commentary and perspective.

Register for the event here.