Habits of the Heart

Tag: USA

  • Rashomon effect and understanding geopolitics in 2026: How to make sense of the world

    Rashomon effect and understanding geopolitics in 2026: How to make sense of the world

    We live in a post-modern world, where truth, with a certainty of 100% is very hard to establish, if not impossible. In a world of ubiquitous AI, seeing is not believing. We are also in a media context (in the USA and much of the West) where serious questioning of government propaganda is rare, if…

  • My Summer Reading List – 2025

    Every summer I share some of the best books I’ve read (or that are on my reading list). This year, I am sharing a list that is a bit different, one based on concepts/ ideas that are relevant, to understand, rather than recency of publication. Here goes: Welfare: book – Arguments for Welfare. Paul Spicker:…

  • Interview with Dr. K.T. Connor on ethics and public life 

    Dr. K.T. Connor was a Senior Adjunct Professor with the MPPA program until recently, for over a decade and brings a wealth of experience in ethics, business as well as public leadership. She served as the Managing Director of Applied Axiometrics. She is the head of a virtual collaboration of consultants using decision-theory-based assessments in…

  • On being mentored by the inimitable Akumal Ramachander

    One of my mentors, someone who had a substantial impact on my life and career passed away a few weeks ago, in Bangalore, India. Akumal Ramachander was a public intellectual, an art promoter and one of the most well-read and educated people I have met. He was persistent, fearless and inimitable.  There are mentors who…

  • What does it mean to run an “efficient,” government?: Some quick thoughts…: Part 1

    Efficiency is good when you are ordering a pack of batteries on Amazon (which I did, just a few hours ago), but not when you are seeking better social outcomes like greater inclusion, democracy or economic justice/protection. Efficiency has an angle of lean. A direction, a purpose and a vision. When we say we want…

  • What Will AI Bring us ?

    What Will AI Bring us ?

    The 2024 Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry had AI as a central focus. However, as much as this marks a landmark phase of recognition of this new set of technologies, the age old question of  “what this tech will bring us”, comes up. As it turns out, we don’t have any accurate answer to…

  • What is Leadership in the local context – Interview with PJ Gagajena, Assistant City Manager, City of Moorpark

    What is Leadership in the local context – Interview with PJ Gagajena, Assistant City Manager, City of Moorpark

    1. What does leadership mean, in a local government context? Leadership in a local government context means guiding and inspiring a community toward achieving common goals. It involves setting a vision, making strategic decisions, and fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness. Local government leaders engage closely with various stakeholders, including residents, businesses, and…

  • Leadership in local government – What does it mean?

    Leadership at the local government level doesnt get much attention. Often, we read about and discuss national or state level decision making. However, as we know, or should know, leadership at the local government is extremely crucial and can make the difference between a great city and a mediocre one. I am lucky to know…

  • Separating myths from realities about undocumented migrants

    Undocumented workers contribute close to 500 billion USD in terms of economic output in CA

  • Is Hi-net worth philanthropy good for our society?

    They say a rich man’s joke is always funny and his/her ideas for public issues are always spot on. I say a rich man’s (policy) ideas are not always good for everyone. Many a time, actually, a rich philanthropist / giver’s ideas can actually work against public good. Don’t believe me? Look at various examples…

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