Humphrey Institute News on-the-go

Ryan Allen, assistant professor, joins the Kojo Nnamdi show for a discussion of ethnic communities and enclaves.

NPRSeptember 3, 2008

Professor Larry Jacobs comments on the distribution of Republican and Democrat voters in Minnesota.

Lawrence Jacobs, a professor at the University of Minnesota, says his state isn’t purple but polka-dot—polarised between Democrats and Republicans, with a large group of independents who often play kingmaker. About half of the state’s people live in and around the Twin Cities, along the Mississippi River in the east. The urban core is reliably Democratic, with some big minority communities.

Economist
September 4, 2008

Senior Fellow Joe Nathan writes about the improvements in Minnesota schools and problems that still must be addressed.

Most Minnesotans don't like to boast or brag about anything - including our public schools. But as Republicans and journalists from around the world join us, and more than 800,000 youngsters return to Minnesota's district and charter public schools, here are several things to consider.

Pioneer Press
August 31, 2008

Professor Larry Jacobs is quoted in this article about the challenge that McCain and Palin now face.

“The shift we saw at the convention was away from a strict reliance on the experience card, to a revamped message that McCain will bring about the right kind of change,” says Lawrence Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota.

Christian Science Monitor
September 4, 2008

Dean Atwood is quoted in this article about the Humphrey Institute's September 4 panel "Democracy and America's Role in the World."

Half of the new democracies created since 1965 have failed, and Atwood said “impressive growth in non-democratic countries defies the notion that democracy alone is the path to prosperity.”

Minnesota Daily
September 4, 2008

Professor Ann Markusen is quoted in this article about the 2008 Great Cities Speakers Series.

"Artists and designers are under-represented in San Jose for the size of its workforce, yet they contribute directly to the local economy through the self-employed income they earn and by providing area employers with the visual, performance and writing skills that make their products successful," Markusen said. "They also make cities more attractive places to live and work, helping to retain and attract other entrepreneurs and skilled workers. Savvy cities around the world are investing strategically in artist live/work and studio buildings, artist's centers, designated arts districts, smaller scale and neighborhood artistic spaces, festivals, grants and technical assistance program to shore up and diversify their arts and cultural talent pool."

Market Watch
September 3, 2008