Russian Democracy, Gig Workers, Student Success

Behind-the-Scenes Look at Russia’s Failed Transition to Democracy Guest: Andrei Kozyrev, former Russian Foreign Minister, Author of “The Fire Bird: The Elusive Fate of Russian Democracy” It’s hard to believe just how promising relations were between the US and Russia in the early 1990s. Presidents George H.W. Bush and Boris Yelstin actually signed an agreement at the time declaring that “from now on, the relationship will be characterized by friendship and partnership.” So how did we end up in what Andrei Kozyrev calls a “renewed Cold War”? Kozyrev explains in his new memoir called “The Fire Bird.” He was a chief advocate for democracy in Russia and better relations with the West. For several years Kozyrev served as foreign minister to Yelstin, who was Russia’s first publicly-elected president. California Passes Law That Affects Contract Workers Guest: Annette Rivero, an Organizer of Gig Workers Rising and Driver for Uber and Lyft What happens in California often spreads to the rest of the country, which is why a new law signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom last week is of such interest nationally. It aims to restrict when companies can classify a worker as an independent contractor and void paying minimum wage or benefits. Uber and Lyft were particular targets of the California law and both companies are now working to get a referendum on the ballot in that would overturn it. U.S. Supreme Court Leaves Gerrymandering Prevention to the States Guest: Joshua Douglas, Professor of Law at the University of Kentucky North Carolina lawmakers just redrew their state’s district maps after a North Carolina court rules that the maps had been created to favor Republicans –a process called gerrymandering. The state judges made it clear their ruling was based in the state’s constitution and not politics. But can voting maps ever not be based in politics when politicians are the ones who drawn them? Indonesian Capital is Sinking, Where is it Going to Go? Guest: Luca Tacconi Stores Like Wal-Mart are Entering the