Zero-Sum Politics in an Age of Austerity

Hosted by

The growing federal deficit and demands for reductions in spending create a sense of scarcity that pits Americans against one another. Already, there's a growing wealth and income gap between the young and the old. We take a look at the impact of that and other "fault lines" between Americans in this election year. Also, the Ninth Circuit finds California's Prop 8 unconstitutional. On Reporter's Notebook, Hamas and Fatah are joining forces — at least for the moment — with a plan for elections in the West Bank and Gaza. We look at the political fallout in Israel, the reaction of western nations and the prospects for a two state solution.

Banner image: Seventy-one-year-old Judy Moses (C) prepares to be arrested during a protest against cuts to federal safety net programs, including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid on November 7, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney