Ethical Issues for the New President

The Scope of Executive Power

mschulman@scu.edu (Miriam Schulman) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:22:25 PST

What does Barack Obama see as the proper scope of presidential power?

Peter Minowitz of the Santa Clara University Department of Political Science leads this discussion on the balance of power, focusing on recent proposals to change the War Powers Act to ensure more participation from congress. The discussion broadens to include an exploration of the extent to which the executive should consult with and be constrained by other branches.

The United States in the Larger World

mschulman@scu.edu (Miriam Schulman) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:17:16 PST

What is the responsibility of the United States to other countries? Should we focus on spreading democracy or combating human misery?

A December report from the World Bank showed that the economic downturn has hammered the entire world and reversed 20 years of shrinking poverty numbers In this context, what should be the focus of President Obama's foreign policy objectives, especially in the developing world? Sr. Joan Marie Steadman, acting director of health care ethics at the Center, leads the discussion.

Happy Holidays

mschulman@scu.edu (Miriam Schulman) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:30:40 PST

"Ethical Issues for the New Administration" will be on hiatus during the holiday season. We return January 6.

The Financial Bailout

mschulman@scu.edu (Miriam Schulman) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 01:40:22 PST

What principles should guide the financial bailout? On what basis will the new administration decide if a particular firm or industry should receive help from taxpayers?

Just today, the Senate confirmed New York prosecutor Neil Barofsky as watchdog of the financial industry-rescue program, with responsibilities for auditing the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Barofsky, and the Obama adminstration when they take office, will need to focus on several ethical issues that have arisen over the program.

This discussion, led by Center Executive-in-Residence Jim Ballasone, reviews those issues, including transparency, stewardship of public resources, fairness, and moral hazard.

Ethics and Appointments

mschulman@scu.edu (Miriam Schulman) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:38:23 PST

Who will the Obama administration bring into federal service? What virtues will they be looking for and what ethical considerations will guide their selection?

Today, President-elect Obama announced the members of his national security team. Clearly, Obama has subjected his appointees to a rigorous vetting process. In today's podcast, Ethics Center Director Kirk O. Hanson leads a discussion of that process, focusing on conflicts of interest and on what aspects of a person's private conduct have bearing on their public responsibilities.

Torture and Terrorism

mschulman@scu.edu (Miriam Schulman) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:44:00 PST

What tools will the new administration use to prosecute the war on terror, and what balance will they strike between security and human/civil rights?

David DeCosse, campus ethics director and an expert in the ethics of war and peace, leads this dialogue among members of the Center's Emerging Issues Group. The podcast focuses on the issue of torture and how United States policy for dealing with existential threats should change under Obama.

Five Challenges for Obama

mschulman@scu.edu (Miriam Schulman) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:52:06 PST

The Center's Emerging Issues Group, which includes staff and faculty from many fields, meets weekly to discuss the ethical issues behind the news. In the weeks leading up to the Obama inauguration, we will explore the five ethical issues identified by the group as the top challenges facing the new administration. Each week, a brief summary and 15-minute podcast of our discussion will be available. We hope these five items are on Obama's agenda as he takes office in January: