News and Public Affairs

America From Scratch

What if we made "America From Scratch" today rather than 250 years ago? Would 12-year-olds be allowed to vote? What if there were no states? Host Toussaint Morrison joins the PBS Digital Studios family to ask these big questions and celebrate the incredible opportunities represented by our ongoing American experiment. Produced by Rewire as part of the Twin Cities PBS "In It Together" initiative.

Do We Elect Narcissistic Leaders?

7m 51s

A study finds that politicians score higher than other professionals on the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, with a spike in characteristics like superiority, arrogance, and entitlement. Do we reward these characteristics with the way we vote? What would happen if we selected our leaders randomly, like we select our jurors for jury duty?

Episodes

  • Should we rewrite our constitution?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Should we rewrite our constitution?

    S1 E4 - 8m 3s

    The average lifespan of a country's constitution is 12 years. But the U.S. Constitution has been around for more than 200. Is it time for a rewrite? And if we did re-do our user manual, who would lead the charge?

  • What if there were no states?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    What if there were no states?

    S1 E3 - 9m

    States: they're a fact of American life we take largely for granted. But why do we need them at all? Some experts believe that chopping up our country in a different way would make a lot more sense. So, if we started over today, would we keep the somewhat wacky geography of our states intact, or would we move to perhaps a more logical system that throws state lines out the window?

  • Should we have a president?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Should we have a president?

    S1 E2 - 8m 29s

    We spend a lot of time thinking, worrying, debating—and, yes, fighting—over who should be our president. But is that the best use of our political energy?

    In this episode of “America From Scratch,” we explore the idea of eliminating the presidency entirely—and some other alternatives to our current political structure. Experts share how you can make the biggest difference in government today.

  • Should 12-Year-Olds be Allowed to Vote?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Should 12-Year-Olds be Allowed to Vote?

    S1 E1 - 8m 8s

    Voting age takes on new relevance today as young people across the country are making their voices heard in the wake of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting earlier this year. Washington, D.C., is on track to lower the voting age to 16.

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