Political Union

The Amherst Political Union was founded in 1939 by Robert Morgenthau '41, Richard Wilbur '42 and others to serve Amherst by bringing "speakers on contemporary political thought," and in such a manner that the debate may not "favor any particular point of view." Despite the high-profile guests the organization brought to Amherst's campus – including Eleanor Roosevelt, Charles Lindbergh and Senator Claude Pepper – and the important national issues it addressed – intervention, President Roosevelt's re-election, and more – it quickly disappeared upon the graduation of its founders.

Unknowingly at first, Amherst Political Union was revived in the spring of 2010 by Khan Shoieb '13, Josh Mayer '13 and James Fromson '13 to serve as the same forum for the debate of matters of political concern to the Amherst community. Since then, the Political Union has sought to engage campus and avoid the political apathy that plagues many other colleges by fostering a conversation about the most pressing issues of our day amongst the students, faculty and staff at Amherst.

To receive updates on upcoming events and ways to get involved, send an email with the subject "Subscribe" to amherst.political.union@gmail.com or sign up at one of our events.

Contact: amherst.political.union@gmail.com

Applications for the APU's Fourth Executive Board are now availible, and are due November 4th. See the attachment at the bottom of this page.

General Press:

https://www.amherst.edu/news/news_releases/2011/05/node/313751

Events:

A Discussion with 30-Year Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau – April 2013

Robert M. Morgenthau, renowned Manhattan District Attorney from 1975 to 2009 and member of Amherst College’s Class of 1941, returned to his alma mater for a conversation with Professor of Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought Lawrence Douglas. Morgenthau talked about crime, immigration, and his life as a Navy officer, a New York gubernatorial candidate and nine-time elected Manhattan DA.

Here’s the video.

HIS EXCELLENCY Shaukat Aziz comes to Amherst College – February 2013

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Shaukat Aziz discussed the future of US-Pakistani relations, and the prospects for stability in the region.

Video can be seen here.

Michael Steele: “The Future of the GOP and Our Democracy” – December 2012

Former chairman of the Republican National Committee Michael Steele talked to Amherst students about the future of the Republican Party and the role of bipartisanship in American democracy.

Video of the event can be found here.

The Three Billion Dollar Election: Money, Speech, and the Future of Campaign Finance – October 2012

Renowned scholars Lawrence Lessig, John Samples, Ilya Somin '95, and John Médaille discussed the state of campaign finance regulations in the wake of Citizens United.

Video here.

#occupyRedRoom with New York Times Columnist Joe Nocera - November 2011

Esteemed New York Times Op-Ed columnist Joe Nocera delivered remarks to an Amherst College audience on the Occupy Wall Street protest, the financial issues underlying the movement, and a path forward.

In addition to his role as a columnist, Mr. Nocera serves as a business commentator for NPR's Weekend Edition with Scott Simon. He has won three Gerald Loeb awards, including the 2008 award for commentary, and three John Hancock awards for excellence in business journalism. A 2007 Pulitzer finalist, he is the author of three books, most recently "All the Devils Are Here: The Hidden History of the Financial Crisis," which he co-authored with Bethany McLean.

Watch video here, and read an interview with Nocera at the Hampshire Gazette.

A Conversation with George Soros: My Philanthropy - May 2011

George Soros, world-renowned investor, author and philanthropist gave a talk to Amherst College students on the nature of his philanthropy. 

Soros is chair of Soros Fund Management LLC and the founder of the Open Society Foundations, a network of philanthropic organizations active in more than 50 countries around the world and dedicated to promoting the values of democracy and an open society. Soros has been active as a philanthropist since 1979, when he began providing funds to help black students attend Cape Town University in apartheid South Africa. He is also the author of 11 books, including most recently The Soros Lectures at the Central European University. His articles and essays on politics, society and economics regularly appear in major newspapers and magazines around the world.

Video of the event can be found here.

Reflections from a Lame Duck: President Marx on Education Reform - April 2011

In response to an op-ed written by Khan Shoieb in the Amherst Student, President Marx accepted the Political Union's invitation to help reverse the decline of the role of the university president as public intellectual, speaking out on issues of national concern. President Marx gave remarks on the state of the nation's K-12 and higher education systems, making forceful arguments for his positions. An article covering the event can be found here.

Spring 2011 Debate:

Esteemed legal scholars Akhil Reed Amar, Rick Hills, Ilya Somin '95 and Ilya Shapiro debate the constitutionality of the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act.

This House Believes that the Individual Mandate is Unconstitutional.

Before the debate: 19% agree 38% disagree 44% undecided
After the debate: 18% (-1%) agree 66% (+28%) disagree 16% (-28%) undecided

Video and details of this debate can be found here. 

Fall 2010 Debate:

Renowned historians Andrew Bacevich and Max Boot debate the direction of post-9/11 U.S. national security policy.

This House Believes that post-9/11 U.S. national security policy is on the wrong track.

Before the debate: 56% agree 10% disagree 34% undecided
After the debate: 58% (+2%) agree 18% (+8%) disagree 24% (-10%) undecided