Statecraft

Alon Levy, a transit guru and expert in urban rail megaprojects, dives into the potential of high-speed rail on the Northeast Corridor. He discusses how this project could be built for under $20 billion, a fraction of Amtrak's estimates. Levy shares insights on the need for efficient operations and infrastructure management, and the role of maintenance in ensuring a successful rail system. He also highlights the challenges of U.S. high-speed rail versus international standards, emphasizing the importance of coordination among various agencies for effective implementation.

Delve into fascinating insights from the U.S. Constitutional Convention! Discover how key figures navigated disagreements to lay the groundwork for governance. Explore the importance of social dynamics, pre-planning, and effective communication in shaping a united vision. Learn from the challenges faced by delegates and how their strategies offer timeless lessons for modern governance. This reflection ties personal experiences with a DAO's unique quest to acquire a historic document, bridging history and contemporary issues!

Jason Matheny, former director of IARPA and head of the RAND Corporation, explores the future of forecasting and its impact on policymaking. He discusses how even minor improvements in predictive accuracy can save billions. Matheny delves into the unique innovations at IARPA, the advantages democracies have over autocracies, and critiques of digital design. He highlights the significance of integrating human judgment with machine learning and emphasizes trust and collaboration in national security, all while stressing the need for better decision-making tools in government.

Join Sir Rory Collins, principal investigator of UK Biobank and expert in health research, as he dives into a fascinating discussion about building long-term scientific initiatives. He shares insights on the challenges of securing support for a groundbreaking database tracking half a million participants over decades. Learn how this massive undertaking has revolutionized health studies and democratized access to invaluable data. Rory also emphasizes the importance of altruism among participants and the necessity of diverse biobanks for comprehensive health research.

Joel Burke, an expert on Estonia's digital transformation and author of 'Rebooting a Nation', discusses the country's revolutionary e-government model. He reveals how Estonia enables citizens to manage their bureaucratic tasks online efficiently. The conversation highlights Estonia's remarkable post-Soviet renaissance, the innovative technologies behind its e-government, and how this model could inspire changes in Western governance. Privacy, transparency, and the balance of data centralization are also key themes, offering valuable insights for improving governmental processes.

Randy Clarke, the head of DC’s Metro system, has transformed the struggling transit network since taking over. In this insightful discussion, he shares his strategies for enhancing safety and speed without compromising service. Clarke delves into fare enforcement's impact on public safety and revenue, the complexities of a $5 billion budget, and the importance of innovative urban planning. Learn how he's navigating challenges while prioritizing passenger experience and modernizing the Metro for a brighter future.

Wally Adeyemo, former Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, shares insights on his pivotal role in implementing the Inflation Reduction Act and financial sanctions against Russia. He discusses the groundbreaking IRS Direct File program designed for tax filing simplicity and its potential demise. The conversation also touches on the Democratic Party's struggle to connect with working-class concerns amid rising economic pressures. Wally emphasizes trust-building in government and explores the balancing act of sanctions as a foreign policy tool.

John Kamensky, once Vice President Al Gore's deputy for the National Performance Review, delves into the transformative Reinventing Government initiative. He candidly evaluates its mixed results and missed chances to reshape federal operations. Kamensky discusses quirky highlights like the Board of Tea Experts and the oddity of government subsidizing mohair. He contrasts NPR's potential with modern implications, questioning what Elon Musk might overlook about federal bureaucracy. The conversation unfolds as a compelling history lesson with insights into government reform.

Peter Rogoff, former head of the Federal Transit Administration and current CEO of Sound Transit, shares his insights on federal transit funding. He discusses key moments from his time on the Senate Appropriations Committee and the importance of developing multi-modal transportation funding. Rogoff also highlights inefficiencies in grant administration, the complexities of transit funding formulas, and the balance between expanding services and maintaining existing infrastructure. His experiences shed light on the challenges and legislative intricacies shaping public transit today.

In this engaging discussion, Stephanie Pollack, former Deputy Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration and Massachusetts DOT Secretary, shares her journey from environmental activist to transit expert. She humorously highlights the challenges of transit funding versus highways, detailing the complexities of projects like the Big Dig. Stephanie emphasizes the impact of regulations and political pressures, and the need for innovative solutions in project execution. Her insights on community connection through transit projects reveal the delicate balance of meeting public needs with real-world logistics.