Crash Course
Congressional Decisions: Crash Course Government and Politics
This week Craig breaks out the crystal ball to try and figure out why our congresspeople do the things that they do. We’ll talk about the three motivating factors of congressional decisions - constituency, interest groups, and political...
TED Talks
Mark Forsyth: What's a snollygoster? A short lesson in political speak
Most politicians choose their words carefully, to shape the reality they hope to create. But does it work? Etymologist Mark Forsyth shares a few entertaining word-origin stories from British and American history (for instance, did you...
Crash Course
Election Basics: Crash Course Government and Politics
This week Craig is going to give you a broad overview of elections in the United States. So as you may have noticed, there are kind of a lot of people in the U.S, and holding individual issues up to a public vote doesn't seem...
Curated Video
Congressional Elections: Crash Course Government and Politics
This week Craig Benzine talks about the importance of elections. But he isn’t going to focus on presidential elections, but instead those of the strongest part of our government: congressional elections. Craig will talk about the...
TED Talks
TED: How to upgrade democracy for the Internet era | Pia Mancini
Pia Mancini and her colleagues want to upgrade democracy in Argentina and beyond. Through their open-source mobile platform they want to bring citizens inside the legislative process, and run candidates who will listen to what they say.
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: How is power divided in the United States government? - Belinda Stutzman
Articles I-III of the United States Constitution allow for three separate branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial), along with a system of checks and balances should any branch get too powerful. Belinda Stutzman...
Curated Video
Election Basics: Crash Course Government and Politics
This week Craig is going to give you a broad overview of elections in the United States. So as you may have noticed, there are kind of a lot of people in the U.S, and holding individual issues up to a public vote doesn't seem...
Crash Course
The French Revolution: Crash Course European History
In 1789, the French Monarchy's habit of supporting democratic popular revolutions in North America backfired. Today, we're talking about the French Revolution. Across the world, people were rising up to throw off monarchies, and Louis...
Curated Video
The Importance of Courtesy: A Lesson from Priya and Prio the Peacocks
In this video, Priya and Prio, two peacocks from Sri Lanka, join the show to discuss the importance of courtesy. They explain that while politeness is learned, courtesy comes naturally and involves caring about others' comfort. They...
Wonderscape
Robert Smalls: A Legacy of Leadership and Advocacy
Explore the post-war achievements of Robert Smalls, from serving the Freedmen's Bureau to shaping political change during Reconstruction. Learn about his contributions to public transportation integration, his role in founding the South...
Wonderscape
The Ongoing Debate Around Gerrymandering and Redistricting
This video discusses how some states are addressing gerrymandering by using non-political entities for redistricting. It covers the 2019 Supreme Court case Rucho v. Common Cause, which ruled partisan gerrymandering claims outside the...
Wonderscape
Understanding Gerrymandering: What It Means and How It Works
This video explores the concept of gerrymandering, explaining how it shapes election districts to favor certain political parties. Learn how the term originated, how redistricting affects representation, and the different types of...
Wonderscape
The Role and History of the Electoral College
Learn how the Electoral College works, where electors cast their votes based on the popular vote of their state. Discover how the 1787 Constitutional Convention created the system as a compromise, allowing both large and small states to...
Wonderscape
The Joint Committee: Creating a Compromise Bill
This video explains the role of the joint, or conference, committee in the lawmaking process. It discusses how members of the House and Senate work together to merge different versions of a bill into one compromise bill, which is then...
Wonderscape
How Committees Shape Laws: The Journey of a Bill
This video explains how bills are reviewed and amended by committees in the House of Representatives and Senate. It details how committees act as gatekeepers, deciding which bills move forward, make markups, or are set aside. Learn about...
Wonderscape
How a Bill Becomes a Law: From Idea to Legislation
This video explains the process of how an idea becomes a law in the United States. It walks through the steps, from everyday citizens coming up with ideas, to members of Congress writing bills, and how the bill is introduced in either...
Wonderscape
Understanding the Legislative Branch: The Senate and the House of Representatives
This video explains the two sections of the US Congress: the Senate and the House of Representatives. It outlines the differences between them, including how senators and representatives are elected, their responsibilities, and the...
Wonderscape
The Importance of Voting in U.S. Elections
This video explores the significance of voting in the United States and highlights the long struggle for voting rights for women, Black Americans, and Native Americans. It explains the different types of elections at the federal, state,...
Wonderscape
The Twenty-Third Amendment: Voting Rights for Washington, D.C.
This video explains the Twenty-Third Amendment, ratified in 1961, which grants the residents of Washington, D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections. Learn how this amendment provides limited electoral votes for the capital city...
Wonderscape
The Powers and Responsibilities of Congress
Learn about the powers granted to Congress, including the authority to make laws, pass the national budget, and oversee the executive branch. Discover the unique powers of the House of Representatives and the Senate, such as impeachment...
Wonderscape
Understanding the House of Representatives
Learn about the House of Representatives, one of two chambers in Congress, with 435 seats allocated based on state population. Discover the roles of the Speaker of the House, Majority Leader, and Minority Leader, as well as the...
Wonderscape
The Final Steps: How a Bill Becomes a Law
This video explains the final steps in the lawmaking process, including the votes in the House and Senate, the role of the president in signing or vetoing a bill, and what happens if there’s a tie or a veto. Learn about the simple...
Wonderscape
How to Start Making a Change: A Guide for Young Activists
Discover how young activists can begin their journey toward making meaningful change in their communities. From learning about issues to engaging in community service, this guide offers practical steps and encourages finding one's...
Wonderscape
Understanding the Seventeenth Amendment: Direct Election of Senators
Learn about the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1913, which transformed the process of selecting senators to represent states in Congress. Explore the historical context, challenges with the previous...