Governance Studies

The Governance Studies program and its scholars are dedicated to strengthening democracy and improving its institutions through research and expert analysis to inform public debate and provide solutions for the most critical governance challenges.

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January 12

2026

Political Polarization Dealmakers: The drivers of political compromise

Online Only

Monday, 10:30 am - 11:45 am EST

The black and white image shows a high shot of the tops of a city scene. At eye level are the tops of the tall buildings on either side of the street, in the middle of the image, it tunnels down to the road below. The street is fairly empty, but cascading down from the sky are pixels which look like a QR code pattern – almost like these represent the clouds.

Defense & Security ‘Navigating Technology and National Security’ with author Justin Sherman | The TechTank Podcast

Nicol Turner Lee, Justin Sherman

December 22, 2025

United States Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) during a press conference with Senate Democrats in the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. Senate Republicans blocked a bill that would have extended Obamacare insurance subsidies, which without intervention will expire at the end of the year.

Health Care Obamacare’s popularity is the Republicans’ problem

E.J. Dionne, Jr., Max Keeney

December 18, 2025

Upcoming Event

January 12

2026

Religion & Society Faith and freedom: Reviewing the Trump administration’s executive actions on religion

The Brookings Institution, Washington DC

Monday, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EST

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Government reform in the US

The latest Brookings work analyzing government reform initiatives by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and their impact on American governance.

The 2026 midterm elections

In this year-long series, Brookings scholars assess the dynamics of the 2026 midterms, the strategies of candidates and parties, the opinions of voters, and the broader implications for democracy, governance, and leadership in America.

The expanding powers of the presidency

The latest Brookings work exploring how the executive branch is asserting greater authority over the legislative and judicial branches, challenging constitutional principles that date back to the Founders’ time.

Our experts shape public discourse

Congress

Axios December 17, 2025

Sarah Binder spoke to Axios about the success of House discharge petitions.

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Sarah A. Binder

Senior Fellow - Governance Studies, Center for Effective Public Management (CEPM) @BinderSAB

Federal Fiscal & Tax Policy

NPR December 9, 2025

Vanessa Williamson’s new book “The Price of Democracy” was reviewed in an article by NPR.

Read the article

Vanessa Williamson

Senior Fellow - Governance Studies, Senior Fellow - Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center

Corporations

The Washington Post December 8, 2025

Bill Baer spoke to the Washington Post about Paramount’s bid to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, days after Netflix struck a deal to acquire them.

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Bill Baer

Visiting Fellow - Governance Studies, Center for Technology Innovation (CTI) @billbaer50

Society & Culture

WBUR November 28, 2025

Richard Reeves was interviewed on WBUR’s “Here & Now” about ways in which boys and men are falling behind.

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Richard V. Reeves

Nonresident Senior Fellow - Governance Studies, Race, Prosperity, and Inclusion Initiative (RPII) @RichardvReeves

Democracy, Conflict, & Governance

Reuters November 26, 2025

Scott R. Anderson spoke to Reuters about President Trump’s Ukraine plan and why it has caused outrage among Republican lawmakers.

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Scott R. Anderson

Fellow - Governance Studies, General Counsel and Senior Editor - Lawfare @S_R_Anders

Technology Policy & Regulation

New York Times November 25, 2025

Darrell M. West was quoted in The New York Times “DealBook” newsletter about the pace at which the White House is making important deals.

Read the newsletter

Darrell M. West

Senior Fellow - Governance Studies, Center for Technology Innovation (CTI), Center for Effective Public Management (CEPM), Douglas Dillon Chair in Governmental Studies @

Government Reform

Ars Technica November 24, 2025

Elaine Kamarck’s research on DOGE’s effectiveness was cited in Ars Technica.

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Elaine Kamarck

Founding Director - Center for Effective Public Management (CEPM), Senior Fellow - Governance Studies @EKamarck

Cybersecurity

Axios November 24, 2025

John Villasenor was quoted by Axios regarding the cybersecurity race taking place in Formula One.

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John Villasenor

Nonresident Senior Fellow - Governance Studies, Center for Technology Innovation (CTI) @JohnDVillasenor

Congress

Politico November 24, 2025

Sarah A. Binder spoke to Politico about the history of the House’s discharge petition.

Read the article

Sarah A. Binder

Senior Fellow - Governance Studies, Center for Effective Public Management (CEPM) @BinderSAB

Presidency

The Guardian November 21, 2025

Kathryn Dunn Tenpas was interviewed by The Guardian discussing Trump’s majority white male nominations to government positions.

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Kathryn Dunn Tenpas

Director - The Initiative on Improving Interbranch Relations and Government, Visiting Fellow - Governance Studies, Center for Effective Public Management (CEPM) @

Education Policy

The Huffington Post November 19, 2025

Jon Valant spoke about President Trump’s plans to dismantle the Department of Education with The Huffington Post.

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Jon Valant

Director - Brown Center on Education Policy, Senior Fellow - Governance Studies, Herman and George R. Brown Chair in Education Studies @JonValant

Federal Fiscal & Tax Policy

Yahoo! Finance November 12, 2025

Vanessa Williamson spoke about the elimination of Direct File, the IRS’s free online tax filing tool, with Yahoo Finance.

Read the article

Vanessa Williamson

Senior Fellow - Governance Studies, Senior Fellow - Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center

Upcoming events

Upcoming Event

January 12

2026

Political Polarization Dealmakers: The drivers of political compromise

Online Only

Monday, 10:30 am - 11:45 am EST

Upcoming Event

January 12

2026

Religion & Society Faith and freedom: Reviewing the Trump administration’s executive actions on religion

The Brookings Institution, Washington DC

Monday, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EST

Listen

Democracy in Question

19 Episodes 2 Seasons

On Democracy in Question, host Katie Dunn Tenpas interviews guests about American politics and the future of democracy. Each episode poses a different question to better understand the contours of our democratic system and what is at stake.

The TechTank Podcast

New Episodes 132 Episodes

TechTank, a biweekly podcast from the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings, explores today’s most consequential technology issues. Moderators Nicol Turner Lee and Darrell West speak with experts and policymakers to share data, ideas, and policy solutions that address the challenges of our digital world.

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Our experts shape public discourse

Sarah A. Binder

Vanessa Williamson

Bill Baer

Richard V. Reeves

Scott R. Anderson

Darrell M. West

Elaine Kamarck

John Villasenor

Sarah A. Binder

Kathryn Dunn Tenpas

Jon Valant

Vanessa Williamson

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Brown Center on Education Policy Newsletter

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Democracy in Question

The TechTank Podcast