Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

Democracy is under threat. From Venezuela to Turkey, from Hungary to the Philippines, powerful leaders are rewriting their countries norms and laws to secure power at the expense of their citizens. Professor Steven Levitsky tells us how democracies die – and what the outlook is for America. For More on this Topic: Check out Levitsky's book with Daniel Ziblatt, How Democracies Die Read their OpEd on threats to democracy

America is getting more diverse, and that means more children of color are students in our schools. But teachers are still overwhelmingly white, so many of these students rarely see teachers who look like them. Professor Michèle Foster tells the little-known story of why America lost many of its black teachers, what that means for students, and what can be done to change things. For More on this Topic: Read Foster's brief, "Why America Needs More African-American Teachers and How to Recruit and Retain Them" Check out her feature in an episode of Revisionist History on black teachers after Brown v. Board of Education.

There are thousands of civic organizations in America, from big-time lobbying groups to local grassroots organizations, and they all want your time and support. But some organizations are more effective at creating change than others. Professor Ziad Munson explains what kinds of organizations have been most successful in shaping American public life – and why. For More on this Topic: Read Munson's brief, How People Become Pro-life Advocates Check out the original "A Nation of Organizers" article Find Robert Putnam's book, Bowling Alone

Unions used to be a major political force in America. But over the last few decades they have steadily declined, and now a Supreme Court case might deal another severe blow to their strength. Professor Jake Rosenfeld explains what the Supreme Court is deciding on and what it means for the future of organized labor in America. For More on this Topic: Read Rosenfeld's SSN brief "Union Decline and Rising U.S. Wage Inequality" Check out his book, What Unions No Longer Do Find this New York Times opinion piece on the impacts of right-to-work laws

In 1973, the Supreme Court made access to abortions a legal right. Since then, crisis pregnancy centers have popped up across the country to dissuade women from getting abortions. Professor Kimberly Kelly explains the history and organization behind these centers and how their current case before the Supreme Court could shape reproductive rights in America. For More on this Topic: Read Kelly's SSN brief "Why False Claims About A Nonexistent "Post Abortion Syndrome" Influence Access To Abortion In America" Check out her comments about the history of crisis pregnancy centers in The Atlantic

The opioid epidemic is ravaging communities across America and there's no silver bullet to fix it. But communicating to people about risks and steps to prevent addiction is a start. Professor Itzhak Yanovitzky describes how New Jersey uses information to help fight the opioid epidemic and how his research partnership with the state helps to improve these efforts. For More on this Topic: Read this My Central Jersey article about Yanovitzky's latest research Check out the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey website

Following the 2016 election, suburban well-educated women got together in PTA groups, libraries, and coffee shops to organize—some for the first time. Professor Lara Putnam shares insights on how these groups work, what their goals are, and why they have been so effective at mobilizing voters. For More on this Topic: Read Putnam's pieces in the Democracy Journal, Middle America Reboots Democracy with Theda Skocpol and Who Really Won PA18? Check out her article in The American Prospect, Digital Fixes Won't Solve the Democrats' Problems

America—the world's wealthiest country—is home to over 40 million people living under the poverty line. And for many, there is no safety net to fall back on. Professor Joan Maya Mazelis explains how we got here and highlights one innovative organization, run by and for poor people, that builds community among the poor and provides help when the safety net is missing. For More on this Topic: Check out Mazelis' book, Surviving Poverty: Creating Sustainable Ties among the Poor Read her brief, How to Help America's Poor People Build Community and Assist Each Other

The Founding Fathers made sure to put checks in place that would prevent a president from becoming a king. But Professor Larry Jacobs explains that when it comes to foreign policy, the president goes largely unchecked. Next, Professor Frances Lee outlines the ways Congress has rebuked presidential power, even under the current administration. And finally, Professor Keith Whittington takes us to the courts, which have been skeptical of many of President Trump's executive orders. For More on this Topic: Read Jacobs' book, Who Governs? Presidents, Public Opinion, and Manipulation Find Lee's book, Insecure Majorities: Congress and the Perpetual Campaign Check out Whittington's book, Political Foundations of Judicial Supremacy: The Presidency, the Supreme Court, and Constitutional Leadership in U.S. History Find more on the website for the conference, A Republic, If We Can Keep It, organized by the Cornell Center for the Study of Inequality with lead organizer Suzanne Mettler.

US politics is built around two parties, but recently there have been growing rifts between and within them. First, Professor Eliot Cohen explains why some Republicans, like himself, left the party after the 2016 election. Next, Professor Didi Kuo highlights the importance of political parties for democracy and why many voters feel disconnected from them. For More on this Topic: Read Cohen's articles in The Atlantic and Foreign Affairs Check out Kuo's article in The American Interest, The Paradox of Party Polarization