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MAY 7, 2026 |
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Harvard Kennedy School | | | |
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Gerrymandering is back in the news with several states redrawing their congressional maps. (Photo by Evelyn Hockstein/2019/The Washington Post/Getty Images) | | |
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Democracy & Governance |
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What’s happening with redistricting in the United States? |
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Last week’s Supreme Court landmark ruling in Louisiana v. Callais curbs the use of race in redistricting, making it harder for voters of color to challenge maps that dilute their voting power. Professor Maya Sen and HKS PhD candidate Jack Deschler unpack the decision. “After the Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, the creation of majority–minority districts will be extremely difficult,” Sen says. In a related article, Professor Ben Schneer discusses gerrymandering as states across the country are redrawing their congressional maps. Schneer explains, “We’re essentially moving to this world where whichever party has a majority will get closer and closer to winning all the seats in the state... It’s departing from anything resembling proportionality.”
Learn more about Democracy & Governance at HKS » | | |
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Democracy & Governance |
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Just 13% of youth feel America is headed in the right direction |
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A new national poll of over 2,000 respondents found that young people in the United States are under enormous economic stress, with little faith that government, elections, or national leadership will serve them. The 52nd Youth Poll run by Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics reveals most 18–29-year-olds feel the nation is heading in the wrong direction, with low approval for President Trump and Congress as well as widespread distrust in politicians from both political parties. Just one in four young Americans feels hopeful about the nation’s future (down from 55% in 2021).
Learn more about Democracy & Governance at HKS » | | |
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Development & Economic Growth |
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How do we build a world where all can thrive? |
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International development scholars share what it would take to create a world where everyone could thrive. “Focus less on the money and more on the people,” says Professor Matthew Andrews. “Focus on building capabilities.” Professor Eliana La Ferrara says that policymakers should “build in ways to receive feedback from local communities and learn from them.” She explains that “local actors are the ones who have the knowledge of the expectations, norms, and mechanisms that make policy effective.” Professor Gordon Hanson says we should “create bespoke opportunities for career advancement.” With data, we can craft individual workplans at low cost, he explains. Professor Asim Khwaja says we should broaden the “skills that we acknowledge, we measure, and then we teach for,” including providing life skills classes in schools.
Learn more about Development & Economic Growth at HKS » | | |
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What we're Doing |
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Last month, mayors from 45 cities across 16 countries were on campus for the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative’s capstone convening of its ninth class of city leaders. The Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University hosted events that connected them with Harvard faculty and students. For example, Professor Danielle Allen moderated a discussion about democratic innovation with three mayors. Harvard students also met their hometown mayors at a special reception. | | | | | |
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