Center for Social Innovation

Why Do We Still Let the Electoral College Pick Our President?

Stanford Pulitzer Prize winning historian Jack Rakove believes the founding fathers would agree that it’s time to change the 225-year-old Electoral College.

Resource: News Article

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Stanford's George Shultz on Energy: It's Personal

George Shultz leads a group preparing to propose a federal tax on carbon to slash U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and oil consumption, a seemingly unlikely policy from a Republican Party statesman.

Resource: News Article

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Q&A: Stanford Economist John Shoven on Social Security

It's true: 65 really is the new 55. Stanford economist John Shoven gives practical advice on how to save for retirement during a struggling economy, low interest rates and longer life spans.

Resource: News Article

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The Presidential Candidates on Education: Stanford Experts Analyze the Details

What would a Romney or Obama presidency mean for schools and universities? At Stanford's Education and Society Theme dorm recently, Hoover Fellow Eric Hanushek and School of Education Professor Emeritus Michael Kirst waded through the candidates' proposals.

Resource: News Article

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Government, Leadership

Stanford gathering explores why national security needs the humanities

Military leaders, Stanford scholars and government officials contribute to a congressional report on how the humanities factor into international relations and national security.

Resource: News Article

Topic :

Why Do We Still Let the Electoral College Pick Our President?

Stanford Pulitzer Prize winning historian Jack Rakove believes the founding fathers would agree that it’s time to change the 225-year-old Electoral College.

Resource: News Article

Topic :

Stanford's George Shultz on Energy: It's Personal

George Shultz leads a group preparing to propose a federal tax on carbon to slash U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and oil consumption, a seemingly unlikely policy from a Republican Party statesman.

Resource: News Article

Topic :

Q&A: Stanford Economist John Shoven on Social Security

It's true: 65 really is the new 55. Stanford economist John Shoven gives practical advice on how to save for retirement during a struggling economy, low interest rates and longer life spans.

Resource: News Article

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Government, Nonprofit Management

The Elusive Craft of Evaluating Advocacy

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Summer 2011

The political process is chaotic and often takes years to unfold, making it difficult to use traditional measures to evaluate the effectiveness of advocacy organizations. There are, however, unconventional methods one can use to evaluate advocacy organizations and make strategic investments in that arena.

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Government, Nonprofit Management

It Takes Three to Tango

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2011

A European perspective on American civil society. A quick glance at the latest thinking about not-for-profit management and philanthropy reveals some profound differences between the ways American and European practitioners look at today’s major societal challenges.

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Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Under One Roof

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2011

One-stop centers offer a safer future for victims of domestic violence.

-Subscription Required

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Research: Welfare Works Better than Bootstraps

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2011

In Britain, the social safety net allows people who fall into poverty to pull themselves out. Americans who become poor are more likely to stay that way.

-Subscription Required

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Arts, Culture, and Religion, Government

People Power

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2011

JOIN THE CLUB: How Peer Pressure Can Transform the World by Tina Rosenberg

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Government, Human Rights

Spinternet

The Internet has the potential to do a lot of good in the world, but we must not ignore the emerging strategies of negative influence.

Resource: Blog Post

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Government, Nonprofit Management

Giving Sector Making Wrong Turn in Crisis

Scared organizations are hording what they have instead of partnering with others to strengthen and streamline their operations.

Resource: Blog Post

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Arts, Culture, and Religion, Government

Combating Anxiety with Action

Heed President Obama’s call to service and take action.

Resource: Blog Post

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Field Building—Does it Matter What Field?

The author asks whether field building need always be done in the same way.

Resource: Blog Post

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Figuring Out What Counts

The new United States presidential administration offers hope for decision making that puts the well-being of people and the planet at the forefront.

Resource: Blog Post

Video/Audio : All | Audio | Video

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The Role of USCDC Managing Global Health

Successes in global health, such as the eradication of small pox or lowering the rate of infant mortality, take an integrated approach, one that brings countries and agencies together to address the scope and intensity of these problems. In this audio lecture from the 2011 Global Health Series, Donald Shriber of the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) speaks about the agency's role in strengthening health systems through partnerships, innovation, and policy.

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Resource: Audio

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Government, Healthcare, Nonprofit Management

The Role of the Voluntary Sector in the Era of Health Reform

Despite falling to number 49 on the list of countries ranked by life expectancy, the United States still spends roughly twice as much on health care per capita as other top-ranked nations. In this panel discussion, Dr. David Shern and Father Larry Snyder discuss the role of the voluntary sector in this period of necessary reform, and what their organizations specifically are doing to improve the quality of American lives.

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Resource: Audio

Topic:

Creating an Innovation Revolution

Given the United States' fundamental fiscal imbalances, how can we ensure a more positive future? In this university podcast, hosted by the Center for Social Innovation at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, McKinsey partner Lenny Mendonca calls for nothing less than "an innovation and productivity revolution." He looks at what activity will be needed at the national level to stimulate our economy in the direction of growth.

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Resource: Audio

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Macroeconomic Perspective on the Budget Deficit

Where is the United States economy and budget going? How can the U.S. stop accumulating debt at the same accelerated rate that's been happening over the past few decades? In this audio lecture, Joe Minarik summarizes how the U.S. deficit has gotten to the state it's in, and outlines steps needed to solve the problem and help the economy grow. The event was hosted by the Center for Social Innovation at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

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Resource: Audio

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Carbon Pricing for Environmental Sustainability

What policy tools can the U.S. government use to get companies to reduce their greenhouse emissions and promote environmental sustainability? Carbon pricing, says Harvard professor Robert Stavins. Speaking at the 2010 Climate Policy Instruments in the Real World conference at Stanford University, Stavins explains how two instruments, carbon fees (taxes) and cap and trade, can be used to promote environmental responsibility, even though these mechanisms may be imperfect.

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Resource: Audio

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DC2VC Panel Discussion

Government representatives and venture capitalists came together to hear Stanford student teams speak about the barriers that routinely prevent healthcare innovations from getting to market.

Resource: Video

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Dr. Marcia McNutt: Conradin von Gugelberg Memorial Lecture Series

How a team of scientists collaborated with the government to measure damage after the catastrophic Gulf oil spill in 2010.

Resource: Video

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Public Management Program Oral History Panel

In response to the historical events of the late 60's and the growing societal demands on business, the Stanford Graduate School of Business developed a pioneering vision for educating leaders who understand the world they live in and know to work across silos to accomodate the needs of both business and society. The founders of the Public Management Program share their motivations for creating the first program of the sort at a business school and why it is more relevant than ever today.

Resource: Video

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Fox Sees Bright Future for Mexico

Americans are mostly unaware of the enormous progress Mexico has enjoyed since a devastating collapse in the peso in 1994. Former Mexican President Vincente Fox highlights the opportunities, and also addresses the challenges, resulting from the collapse.

Resource: Video

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Government, Human Rights

Say What You Think Then Take Action

San Francisco's young and charismatic mayor, Gavin Newsom, has suffered his share of punches for taking bold positions on controversial issues. In this Stanford Center for Social Innovation-sponsored talk, Newsom tells of the courage and persistence it takes to make real social change as a leader.

Resource: Video

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Environmental Sustainability and Energy Policy

New Obama administration goals are making this an excellent time for professionals interested in environmental sustainability. So say senior government energy and technology officials in this panel discussion convened by the Stanford's Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance. Pointing to the challenges ahead, they outline where the opportunities will lie for energy-focused entrepreneurs.

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Resource: Audio

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Food Industry and Global Health

Why have American eating habits changed so drastically for the worse in the last half century? What is the appropriate role of government in mitigating these changes? Who can we hold responsible? In this audio lecture, author and former FDA Commissioner David Kessler discusses the marketing strategies of multinational food companies, the scientific realities behind these current trends, and what we might do to change them.

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Resource: Audio

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Global Education Conference

Business and technological innovations are pushing education everywhere to the brink of great change. What is the potential for global education today?

Resource: Video

Topic:

The Role of USCDC Managing Global Health

Successes in global health, such as the eradication of small pox or lowering the rate of infant mortality, take an integrated approach, one that brings countries and agencies together to address the scope and intensity of these problems. In this audio lecture from the 2011 Global Health Series, Donald Shriber of the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) speaks about the agency's role in strengthening health systems through partnerships, innovation, and policy.

You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.

Resource: Audio

Topic:

Government, Healthcare, Nonprofit Management

The Role of the Voluntary Sector in the Era of Health Reform

Despite falling to number 49 on the list of countries ranked by life expectancy, the United States still spends roughly twice as much on health care per capita as other top-ranked nations. In this panel discussion, Dr. David Shern and Father Larry Snyder discuss the role of the voluntary sector in this period of necessary reform, and what their organizations specifically are doing to improve the quality of American lives.

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Resource: Audio

Case Studies : All | Academic Cases

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Transparent Markets: Promoting Public Values Through Private Enterprise

Luis Moreno Ocampo, an attorney who had fought human rights abuses in Argentina, views corruption in public procurement as the next major human rights issue. He established a company to collect and distribute information on public procurements to make the entire process more transparent.

Resource: Academic Case

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Government

San Diego Padres: PETCO Park as a Catalyst for Urban Redevelopment

The San Diego Padres’ ballpark was the first integrated sports facility/development project ever attempted. While it proved to be a huge success for the Padres, San Diego, and taxpayers, there were many obstacles that had to be overcome.

Resource: Academic Case

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The Competitive Advantage of India

India’s services sector had demonstrated that the country possessed the capacity to improve its global standing significantly. The question was whether India would capitalize on its success by addressing obstacles to growth, or miss the opportunity to enter the modern world.

Resource: Academic Case

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Angola's Mislaid Billions

This case focuses on corruption in Angola surrounding oil production. It discusses the involvement of nongovernmental organizations, oil companies, and internal organizations, as well as the Angolan response.

Resource: Academic Case

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Transparent Markets: Promoting Public Values Through Private Enterprise

Luis Moreno Ocampo, an attorney who had fought human rights abuses in Argentina, views corruption in public procurement as the next major human rights issue. He established a company to collect and distribute information on public procurements to make the entire process more transparent.

Resource: Academic Case

Topic :

Corporate Social Responsibility, Government

San Diego Padres: PETCO Park as a Catalyst for Urban Redevelopment

The San Diego Padres’ ballpark was the first integrated sports facility/development project ever attempted. While it proved to be a huge success for the Padres, San Diego, and taxpayers, there were many obstacles that had to be overcome.

Resource: Academic Case

Topic :

The Competitive Advantage of India

India’s services sector had demonstrated that the country possessed the capacity to improve its global standing significantly. The question was whether India would capitalize on its success by addressing obstacles to growth, or miss the opportunity to enter the modern world.

Resource: Academic Case

Topic :

Angola's Mislaid Billions

This case focuses on corruption in Angola surrounding oil production. It discusses the involvement of nongovernmental organizations, oil companies, and internal organizations, as well as the Angolan response.

Resource: Academic Case

Research Papers : All

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The Tea Party Is Good for America

In an interview, former Stanford University Provost Condoleezza Rice discusses her experiences as Secretary of State and as an African-American woman in government during the Bush administration.

Resource: Research Paper

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Behavioral economics perspectives on public sector pension plans

Most states and cities offer defined benefit pension plans to their employees, but is every defined benefit plan the same? A team of researchers find that in fact the replacement ratios of these plans vary greatly across jurisdictions. They compare the defined benefit pensions of the public sector with the defined contribution pensions of the private sector to draw conclusions about the design of public sector plans.

Resource: Research Paper

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The Road to (and from) the 2010 Elections

What elements led to the results of the 2010 mid-term congressional elections in the U.S. and what may they portend for the nation?

Resource: Research Paper

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Understand Young Companies in Your Own Backyard, Report Urges Global Leaders

Policy makers need to understand how early-stage companies in their own area work, rather than try to create another Silicon Valley, says Stanford management professor George Foster. He is coauthor of a new report published by the World Economic Forum.

Resource: Research Paper

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Does informative media commentary reduce politicians' incentives to pander?

Elections sometimes give policy makers incentives to pander, i.e., to implement a policy that voters think is in their best interest, even though the policy maker knows that a different policy is actually better for the voters. Media commentary affects voters' tendency to apply an asymmetric burden of proof to the incumbent, based on whether she pursues popular or unpopular policies.

Resource: Research Paper

Courses : All

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Homeland Security: Operations, Strategy, and Implementation: OIT 571

This course covers a variety of topics in homeland security. Among them are bioterrorism, influenza pandemics, nuclear security at ports and around cities, the biometric aspects of the U.S. VISIT program, the intersection of homeland security and immigration, and suicide bombings.

Resource: MBA Course

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The International Economy: Policies and Theory: MGTECON 334

This course gives students an understanding of international trade economics, and analyzes the political processes by which international trade policy is determined. It combines lecture and mini-case studies.

Resource: MBA Course

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Political Economy of Health Care in the U.S.: MGTECON 331

The purpose of this class is to provide students with the economic tools and the institutional and legal background to understand how markets for health care products and services work. The class utilizes case studies, lectures, and visits from individuals in the industry.

Resource: MBA Course

Innovators : All

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Economic Development, Education, Government, Healthcare, Philanthropy, Responsible Investing, Social Entrepreneurship

An interview with Mark Cafferty (EPNL '07)

Mark Cafferty is passionate about empowering individuals to be all they can be. He channels funds to employment and youth service programs.

Resource: CSI Affiliates

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Economic Development, Environment, Government, Nonprofit Management, Social Entrepreneurship

An interview with Court Gould (EPNL '06)

Court Gould is pushing for Pittsburgh to grow sustainably. He's working hard to inform decision makers about to accomplish that most effectively.

Resource: CSI Affiliates

Topic :

Arts, Culture, and Religion, Philanthropy & Responsible Investing, Corporate Social Responsibility, Economic Development, Education, Environment, Government, Healthcare, Nonprofit Management, Social Entrepreneurship

An interview with Ruth Bolan (EPNL '06)

Ruth Bolan is giving voice to indigenous peoples of the Pacific Island. She funds documentaries that bring their culture and challenges to millions of viewers.

Resource: CSI Affiliates

Topic :

Economic Development, Education, Environment, Government, Philanthropy, Responsible Investing, Social Entrepreneurship

An interview with Josh Becker (MBA ’99)

Josh Becker combines private, public, and government-sector solutions in addressing big social challenges. His focus is innovation.

Resource: Alumni

Topic :

Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment, Government, Social Entrepreneurship

An interview with Adam Stern (MBA '87)

Adam Stern's Web site lets people offset their own carbon emissions by supporting renewable energy projects. He's working to stop global warming.

Resource: Alumni

Topic :

Government, Social Entrepreneurship

Help for the Undecided

A Stanford GSB student's new company could make voting decisions more like online shopping.

Resource: News Article

Topic :

The Presidential Candidates on Education: Stanford Experts Analyze the Details

What would a Romney or Obama presidency mean for schools and universities? At Stanford's Education and Society Theme dorm recently, Hoover Fellow Eric Hanushek and School of Education Professor Emeritus Michael Kirst waded through the candidates' proposals.

Resource: News Article

Topic :

Government, Leadership

Stanford gathering explores why national security needs the humanities

Military leaders, Stanford scholars and government officials contribute to a congressional report on how the humanities factor into international relations and national security.

Resource: News Article

Topic :

Why Do We Still Let the Electoral College Pick Our President?

Stanford Pulitzer Prize winning historian Jack Rakove believes the founding fathers would agree that it’s time to change the 225-year-old Electoral College.

Resource: News Article

Topic :