The Hoover Institution recently wrapped up its 2015 Board of Overseers Meeting. The three-day event, from July 7 through 9, featured talks from Hoover’s distinguished scholars and affiliates. Included here are summaries of presentations from the event.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Opening Reception and Dinner.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
George P. Shultz: "Issues Ahead for Foreign Policy"
George Shultz, Thomas W. and Susan B. Ford Distinguished Fellow, discussed the issues ahead for foreign policy, specifically focusing on Russia, Iran and ISIS. Shultz noted that we are now in a world of change and a new situation for governance. With the information and communication age, there is now a problem of governing over diversity. Shultz had four suggestions for the road ahead: mean what you say, be realistic, design your agenda and be strong with military, economy and spirit. Shultz suggested we get rid of all export controls to remove the monopoly of Russia. He also remarked on the situation with Iran, noting that he was upset with the current administration's approach. Schultz also spoke on ISIS, suggesting that we put together a coalition to have a force of importance to target them. Shultz concluded, "Foreign policy starts in your neighborhood."
John B. Taylor: "Issues Ahead for Economic Policy"
John Taylor, the George P. Shultz Senior Fellow in Economics at the Hoover Institution, discussed issues ahead for economic policy, suggesting we move ahead on the "Four Big Bucket Policy" reforms including tax, budget, regulatory and monetary. Taylor stated that the US economy is not performing as well as hoped and that people are getting discouraged. He compared the economy to a 'caged eagle', ready to be set free. Taylor also reflected on slow growth and low employment rates due to economic policy. He noted that the Hoover Institution is currently working on reformatting the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Taylor concluded that we should aspire for higher growth and focus on a cost benefit analysis.
Morris P. Fiorina: "Political Leadership in an Era of Unstable Majorities"
Morris P. Fiorina, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, spoke on political leadership in an era of unstable majorities. Fiorina noted that the U.S. is currently in an era of divided government where political predictability is absent. Trust in government is at an all time low while confidence in our institutions is declining. Independents are at a record high however there has been no decline in moderates. More and more people are voting straight tickets resulting in everyone in the party rising or falling together. Fiorina concluded that most Americans are uninformed, confused and ambivalent, noting that only 1% of television viewers watch political programs.
Michael W. McConnell: "Does the President Have to Follow the Law?"
Michael McConnell, senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, discussed the president's necessary focus on 'taking care' to execute the laws of congress. McConnell spoke on the president's small number of prerogative powers and the primary task the president has to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed. McConnell touched on the president's authority to name judges. He concluded by discussing the importance of the political party continuing to change every eight years in the presidency.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
General Jim Mattis: "America in the Strategy-Free Mode"
General Jim Mattis, an Annenberg Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution, discussed the lack of strategy of the U.S. Mattis noted that it is not a Democratic or Republican problem, but an American one. Mattis discussed the urgency to get Americans to a fundamental unity on strategy abroad. He noted that the influence of the U.S. in the Middle East is at its lowest in 40 years. Mattis remarked that if we tell enemies what we will not do they gain hope and get an advantage. We need to make sure we live up to our word and not humiliate other countries. Mattis concluded that the U.S. needs to learn from what happened in Iraq and be sure not to replicate it.
