Great Decisions
Great Decisions discussions resume in the Spring 2024. Below is the information for the discussions they will be having this semester.
Great Decisions is a discussion forum that follows a curriculum developed by the Foreign Policy Association (www.fpa.org). The program is supported by the Great Decisions program materials which presents basic information on each topic. Participants read the topical section for that week, then come to the sessions to discuss their various points of view with one another. Active participation is encouraged, but not required.
This spring we will have 4 sessions using the Great Decisions materials and 2 open discussions on current events – with the topics chosen by the participants. In an age where our political discourse has become more polarized, Great Decisions provides an excellent opportunity for open, fair, objective discussions - and helps the participants understand multiple perspectives on these topics.
Here are the spring topics (as described by FPA):
Mideast Realignment (March 14)
By Marc Lynch
The United States and Middle East are at a crossroads. In spite of a reduced presence in the Middle East, the U.S. still has significant national interests there and the area is a key arena for global power politics. Can the U.S. continue to defend its interests in the Middle East and globally with a lower level of military and political involvement, or should it recommit to a leading role in the region?
Climate technology and competition (March 21)
By Bud Ward
Will the United States and China, with other powerful countries following suit, approach current and future climate initiatives with an increased commitment to trade protectionism and nationalism, by various measures including trade restrictions? Or could a growing spirit of international accord develop to confront the “common enemy” of climate change?
Science across borders (April 11)
By Mila Rosenthal
Scientific advances benefit from collaboration between researchers, but what happens when material, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) is controversial and important to a nation’s national security? Is there a middle ground between sharing information and denying access? How can we regulate cooperation?
U.S. -China trade rivalry (April 18)
By Jonathan Chanis
China’s economic rise and its current policies of increasing the role of the state in the economy have led some U.S. policymakers to seek to deny China access to U.S. technology and investment. This is seen as a necessary corrective to decades of predatory Chinese economic policies. Is this a wise strategy, and how effective can it be?
Open discussions – with topics selected by the participants will be March 28 and April 25.
The sessions are planned for Thursdays from 9:30 – 11:30 AM. The sessions will be in person in Chapman Hall in room 808A.
Participants are expected to obtain the Great Decisions program materials from FPA.ORG and to read the topic sections prior to each session. The materials are purchased separately. The books are available in print ($35) and various e-book formats (est. $25). The materials will be available in January and are available now for pre-order. Contact the moderator for details at budsielaff@sbcglobal.net and to reserve your space. The book has all the topics we will cover in Spring 2024 and Fall 2024 – so one purchase will cover both semesters.
Moderator: Bud Sielaff, a retired business executive with degrees in engineering, marketing and finance. Bud is a member of MILE and has been a moderator of the Great Decisions program since Fall 2018. He has a business strategy background, has had extensive international travels, and closely follows world events as an interested citizen.
Great Decisions discussions resume in the Spring 2024. Below is the information for the discussions they will be having this semester.
Great Decisions is a discussion forum that follows a curriculum developed by the Foreign Policy Association (www.fpa.org). The program is supported by the Great Decisions program materials which presents basic information on each topic. Participants read the topical section for that week, then come to the sessions to discuss their various points of view with one another. Active participation is encouraged, but not required.
This spring we will have 4 sessions using the Great Decisions materials and 2 open discussions on current events – with the topics chosen by the participants. In an age where our political discourse has become more polarized, Great Decisions provides an excellent opportunity for open, fair, objective discussions - and helps the participants understand multiple perspectives on these topics.
Here are the spring topics (as described by FPA):
Mideast Realignment (March 14)
By Marc Lynch
The United States and Middle East are at a crossroads. In spite of a reduced presence in the Middle East, the U.S. still has significant national interests there and the area is a key arena for global power politics. Can the U.S. continue to defend its interests in the Middle East and globally with a lower level of military and political involvement, or should it recommit to a leading role in the region?
Climate technology and competition (March 21)
By Bud Ward
Will the United States and China, with other powerful countries following suit, approach current and future climate initiatives with an increased commitment to trade protectionism and nationalism, by various measures including trade restrictions? Or could a growing spirit of international accord develop to confront the “common enemy” of climate change?
Science across borders (April 11)
By Mila Rosenthal
Scientific advances benefit from collaboration between researchers, but what happens when material, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) is controversial and important to a nation’s national security? Is there a middle ground between sharing information and denying access? How can we regulate cooperation?
U.S. -China trade rivalry (April 18)
By Jonathan Chanis
China’s economic rise and its current policies of increasing the role of the state in the economy have led some U.S. policymakers to seek to deny China access to U.S. technology and investment. This is seen as a necessary corrective to decades of predatory Chinese economic policies. Is this a wise strategy, and how effective can it be?
Open discussions – with topics selected by the participants will be March 28 and April 25.
The sessions are planned for Thursdays from 9:30 – 11:30 AM. The sessions will be in person in Chapman Hall in room 808A.
Participants are expected to obtain the Great Decisions program materials from FPA.ORG and to read the topic sections prior to each session. The materials are purchased separately. The books are available in print ($35) and various e-book formats (est. $25). The materials will be available in January and are available now for pre-order. Contact the moderator for details at budsielaff@sbcglobal.net and to reserve your space. The book has all the topics we will cover in Spring 2024 and Fall 2024 – so one purchase will cover both semesters.
Moderator: Bud Sielaff, a retired business executive with degrees in engineering, marketing and finance. Bud is a member of MILE and has been a moderator of the Great Decisions program since Fall 2018. He has a business strategy background, has had extensive international travels, and closely follows world events as an interested citizen.
"Knowledge is a process of piling up facts; wisdom lies in their simplification." ~~ Martin H. Fischer
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