Gary Gerstle

Historian Gary Gerstle dives into the tumultuous legacy of the Smoot-Hawley Act of 1930, revealing how it worsened the Great Depression and shifted political power in U.S. tariff policy. He explores why President Hoover failed to halt its protective measures and discusses the tensions between idealism and cynicism in American politics. Gerstle also connects historical tariff battles to today’s political landscape, raising questions about the limits of presidential authority and the dangers of isolationism in a global economy.

Ruth Kinna, a political theory professor, Christopher Phelps, an American studies expert, and Gary Gerstle, an American history professor, discuss the explosive Haymarket Affair of 1886 in Chicago. They explore the labor rights movement's tumultuous backdrop, focusing on the fight for an eight-hour workday and anarchism's role in the protests. The discussion reveals the tragic executions of key figures, the emergence of May Day, and the enduring legacy of the incident on labor activism and societal change.

Gary Gerstle, a renowned historian and author, unpacks the evolution of Donald Trump's presidency. He contrasts Trump's changing governance styles between his terms and discusses the implications of a stronger executive power. Gerstle critiques government inefficiencies, particularly compared to private sector approaches. The conversation also touches on rising authoritarianism in the U.S. and its effects on democracy, alongside the ongoing struggle for diverse national identities within America.