109 episodes

Then & Now connects past to present, using historical analysis and context to help guide us through modern issues and policy decisions. Then & Now is brought to you by the UCLA Luskin Center for History and Policy. Then & Now is produced by David Myers and Roselyn Campbell, and features original music by Daniel Raijman.

Then & Now UCLA Luskin Center for History and Policy

    • History
    • 4.6 • 14 Ratings

Then & Now connects past to present, using historical analysis and context to help guide us through modern issues and policy decisions. Then & Now is brought to you by the UCLA Luskin Center for History and Policy. Then & Now is produced by David Myers and Roselyn Campbell, and features original music by Daniel Raijman.

    Challenges and Opportunities in the New Age of AI: A Long-Term View with John Villasenor

    Challenges and Opportunities in the New Age of AI: A Long-Term View with John Villasenor

    As advances in technology continue to shape our world, understanding the implications of artificial intelligence (AI), cyber security, and digital privacy has never been more important. In this episode of then & now, we delve into the crucial intersection of technology, law, and policy with John Villasenor, a distinguished professor at UCLA and co-director of the UCLA Institute for Technology, Law and Policy. 
    Villasenor's expertise provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of technology and how it has rapidly evolved over the years. From the pioneering work of Alan Turing to the current landscape of AI, Villasenor offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by these advancements. Join us as we explore the impact of technology on society and the changing landscape of technology law and consider: can we regulate AI? Should we?
     
    John Villasenor is Professor of Engineering, Law, and Public Policy and Management at  UCLA, where he co-directs the UCLA Institute for Technology, Law and Policy. He is a leading voice in the discussion surrounding the ethical implications of technology and the importance of thoughtful regulation in the tech industry.

    • 32 min
    The Nuclear Threat Today: A Conversation with Albert Carnesale

    The Nuclear Threat Today: A Conversation with Albert Carnesale

    While the conflicts between Israel and Palestine and Russia and Ukraine are center-stage, the threat of nuclear weapons hovers ominously over our world. The recent release of the popular movie "Oppenheimer" reminds us of the extraordinary potency of nuclear weapons. Russia's aggression in Ukraine has raised concerns about its nuclear intentions, while China, under President Xi Jinping, seeks to bolster its nuclear capabilities to match those of the US. Iran's nuclear ambitions persist, and there are predictions that North Korea may be adopting a more aggressive stance which includes nuclear weapons. As these nations either expand or maintain their nuclear capabilities, global nuclear tensions rise.
     
     In this episode of Then & Now, we engage in a conversation with Chancellor Albert Carnesale, a distinguished academic and expert in nuclear engineering and arms control, who served as chancellor of UCLA and provost of Harvard University. Chancellor Carnesale provides valuable insights into past efforts to mitigate nuclear threats. He also discusses current strategies to ensure global security from nuclear dangers, drawing from his involvement in the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks/Treaty (SALT) and his knowledge of China, North Korea, and Iran's nuclear histories. 

    Albert Carnesale, distinguished scholar and nuclear arms expert, is a prominent figure in academia and international security. With an extensive academic career spanning decades, Carnesale has contributed significantly to our understanding of nuclear proliferation, arms control negotiations, and nonproliferation strategies. As a professor at UCLA's Engineering and Public Affairs School, his research and teachings delve deep into the complexities of global security, shaping the discourse on nuclear policy and international relations.His expertise and insights have not only informed policymakers but also inspired generations of students to engage critically with the pressing challenges of our time.

    • 53 min
    Is California an Outlier? Health Care Policy in the Sunshine State: A Conversation with Historian Ben Zdencanovic

    Is California an Outlier? Health Care Policy in the Sunshine State: A Conversation with Historian Ben Zdencanovic

    One of the most vexing social problems in U.S. society is our country’s healthcare system, which is wracked by rising costs, inequitable access, and manifold inefficiencies.  Unlike Canada or a number of European countries, the United States has never adopted a single-payer system in which the government provides health insurance to all.  Instead, it has favored a range of private options alongside supplemental government programs.  As a result of its size and significance, the state of California has been a laboratory for government healthcare policy, with public officials and advocates testing the virtues of various private and public healthcare programs.  
    In a forthcoming report for the Luskin Center, Dr. Ben Zdencanovic, along with Sara Ohannessian, Lauren Heiberg, Emiko Levings, and Emilila Fergadiotti, examine the history of healthcare policy in California, with a particular focus on Medi-Cal, the state-sponsored insurance plan introduced in 1965.  In this episode of “Then & Now,” we sit down to talk to Dr. Ben Zdencanovic about the findings of this team.  
     
    Dr. Ben Zdencanovic is a Postdoctoral Associate at the UCLA Luskin Center for History and Policy. He is an historian of the United States in the world, domestic and international politics, and economic and social policy. He has a particular interest in the relationship between U.S. global power and the politics of redistribution and welfare state. His forthcoming book from Princeton University Press is titled Island of Enterprise: The End of the New Deal and the Rise of U.S. Global Power in a World of Welfare, 1940 – 1955.  

    • 49 min
    Israel, Gaza, and the U.S.: A Conversation with Aaron David Miller

    Israel, Gaza, and the U.S.: A Conversation with Aaron David Miller

    On this episode of then & now, Middle East expert Aaron David Miller offers his perspective on the current state of affairs in Israel and Gaza after October 7, 2023 — and on the broader historical context of the explosion of violence in recent months.  Drawing on his decades of service in the U.S. State Department, he also traces the arc of American diplomacy on the Israel-Palestine question, noting the many failures and limited successes in this story. Miller reflects on the importance of balance and strong leadership, qualities that have often been in short supply in efforts to resolve or mitigate tensions between Palestinians and Israelis.  
     
    Aaron David Miller is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, focusing on U.S. foreign policy. He received his PhD in Middle East and U.S. diplomatic history from the University of Michigan in 1977 and has authored five books including The Much Too Promised Land: America’s Elusive Search for Arab-Israeli Peace (2008).  Miller is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a frequent commentator in print and visual media.  

    • 1 hr 6 min
    America On Strike: Labor Takes Center Stage

    America On Strike: Labor Takes Center Stage

    In our final episode of 2023, we are sharing a recording of an event hosted by the UCLA History Department as part of the Why History Matters series. Labor movements have surged to the attention of the public over the past year, with the historic Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA strikes at the beginning of the year as well as the United Auto Workers strike later in the year. Moderated by UCLA Professor of History and Labor Studies Toby Higbie, this event featured a panel discussion with Kent Wong (Director of the UCLA Labor Center), Susan Minato (Co-President of UNITE HERE Local 11), and Billy Ray (Screenwriter and Director, and former co-chair of the WGA Negotiating Committee) about the history of labor movements, the power of unions and strikes in America today, and what lies ahead.

    • 1 hr 2 min
    Understanding the Israel-Gaza Conflict: Causes, Conduct, and Consequences

    Understanding the Israel-Gaza Conflict: Causes, Conduct, and Consequences

    For this special episode, we are sharing a recording of a Zoom event hosted on November 21 by the UCLA Luskin Center for History and Policy. Featuring two UCLA history professors, Dr. James L. Gelvin and Dr. David N. Myers, this informational session explores the historical background to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, addressing questions such as:
    What is Hamas?What led to Hamas' attack on Israel?Why was Israel so ill-prepared?What does the future hold for Israel and Palestine, and for the wider region?
    Dr. L. Gelvin is a professor of history at UCLA. He is the author of numerous books and articles on Middle Eastern history and contemporary issues, including The Israel-Palestine Conflict: A History, recently updated and released as a fourth edition by Cambridge University Press.

    Dr. David N. Myers is a professor of history at UCLA and the director of the Luskin Center for History and Policy. He is the author and editor of numerous books in the field of modern Jewish history including Between Arab and Jew: The Los Voice of Simon Rawidowicz, published by Brandeis University Press in 2009.

    • 38 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
14 Ratings

14 Ratings

freshpoetic ,

Such a Wonderful Podcast

Do yourself a favor and subscribe to this show. Professor Myers, as well as the other hosts, provide a wonderful variety of discussions on all sorts of fascinating topics. And their care with the subject matter is evident, bringing nuance out of their guests at every turn. If you love hearing knowledgeable people talking about their expertise, you will love this show.

HistoryFan235 ,

Favorite Podcast: Then

This is the best podcast, the topics and ideas are not only extremely interesting an important. The topics are very relevant to todays events and they explore the history of these events and how it could effect the future. This podcast is a MUST!

Atreyi ☺️ ,

UCLA Student

As a UCLA student, listening to Then & Now has been such an incredible experience. I love being able to see the research of professors I’ve taken classes with or had the privilege of hearing from come alive. But even more than that, I think it's so cool that every podcast utilizes a historical perspective to examine the pressing social issues of today -- it’s a complete rarity in the podcast world! I highly recommend Then & Now to anyone who cares about social issues and wants to take their levels of critical thought to the next level.

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