WHAT: “Minority Government in Latin American Presidentialism: Politicial and Institutional Determinants,” Argelina Figueiredo. Professora do Instituto de Estudios Sociais e Politicos da Universidades Estadual do Rio de Janeiro
WHEN: Tuesday, October 9 @ 2 p.m.
WHERE: 101 International Studies Building, 910 S. Fifth Street, Champaign
From the event announcement: “The view that minority governments are anomalies in parliamentary systems has been long abandoned. In presidential systems, however, minority and governments are still seen as problematic, especially when combined with unilateral powers of the president. This paper analyzes government formation in an original sample of 14 Latin American countries between 1979 and 2011, including coalitional changes in the same presidential term. Based on 287 observations, we test some current hypotheses about the political and institutional determinants of minority governments. Unlike the predictions of some theories, the results show that the main factors that increase the probability of formation of minority governments are the veto power of the president, low parliamentary fragmentation and the existence of few agenda-setting powers by the president.”
WHAT: Community Cinema presents As Goes Janesville
WHEN: Tuesday, October 9 @ 6 p.m.
WHERE: Main Branch, Champaign Public Library
From the event announcement: “As Goes Janesville, tells the story of the economic situation in Janesville, Wisconsin after the General Motors plant in Janesville closed. In the wake of a recession that has hit Janesville, Wisconsin particularly hard, the town and its residents struggle to redefine themselves and find solutions they can agree upon. The result is a microcosm of the national plight of the middle class and the political polarization over what the American Dream looks like in the 21st century.”
WHAT: “Bodies and Votes: Women’s Health Justice Under Electoral Pressure,” Pam Sutherland (right), Vice President of Public Policy for Planned Parenthood of Illinois
WHEN: Friday, October 12 @ 8:30 a.m.
WHERE: University YMCA, 1001 S Wright St.
WHAT: “Art, Archaeology, and Advanced Technology: The Case of the Alexander Mosaic at Pompeii,” John J. Dobbins, University of Virginia
WHEN: Sunday, October 14 @ 3 p.m.
WHERE: Room 62, Krannert Art Museum (Auditorium), 500 East Peabody Drive, Champaign
You live near a major university and a community college. There are smart people that come here every week to talk to the general public about interesting topics. Perhaps you were not aware of this fact, or were overwhelmed by the sheer number of opportunities for possible enlightenment. If that’s the case, Smile Politely understands and is here to help. Here are several events going on in town this week. Check out one or more of them if you have time. Get your learn on, as they say, and join the cognoscenti. It’s free, you know. Plus, sometimes there’s free food, too!
If you have a community event, speaker, or film event that you’d like to see featured on Listen Up!, send the event information to joelgillespie [at] smilepolitely [dot] com by Friday the week prior to the event. Listen Up! runs on Mondays when classes are in session.