KCRW's Politics of Culture

The countries are separated by a wide cultural divide, which has had a major impact on the current political situation. Host Jonathan Kirsch discusses their differences with political scientist Ronald Steel of USC, historian Peter Kenez of UC Santa Cruz and Eugene Levin of Los Angeles-based Russian-language media group Panorama.

KCRW's Elvis Mitchell and photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders have produced a critically acclaimed documentary called The Black List, that profiles prominent African-Americans. It's spawned a companion book and an art exhibition.

KCRW's Elvis Mitchell and photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders have produced a critically acclaimed documentary called The Black List, that profiles prominent African-Americans. It's spawned a companion book and an art exhibition.

It's been a period of vast upheaval at the Los Angeles Times under Sam Zell's ownership. How exactly did he manage to use the employees' pension fund as collateral? How secure are the futures of Times employees?

It's been a period of vast upheaval at the Los Angeles Times under Sam Zell's ownership. How exactly did he manage to use the employees' pension fund as collateral? How secure are the futures of Times employees?

International coverage is on the decline on American TV network-news broadcasts and in newspapers across the country. Will Lewis talks with correspondents and others about this state of affairs.

International coverage is on the decline on American TV network-news broadcasts and in newspapers across the country. Will Lewis talks with correspondents and others about this state of affairs.

Celia Hirschman, host of KCRW's On the Beat, talks about the future of the music business as it expands into the digital music universe with Don Mackinnon, director of the RED Campaign, and Tim Quirk of Rhapsody.

Celia Hirschman, host of KCRW's On the Beat, talks about the future of the music business as it expands into the digital music universe with Don Mackinnon, director of the RED Campaign, and Tim Quirk of Rhapsody.

As money pours in for building projects at museums and colleges, is there money for the art to fill the galleries and the educational needs of students?

As money pours in for building projects at museums and colleges, is there money for the art to fill the galleries and the educational needs of students?

KCRW's resident satirist and host of Le Show, Harry Shearer, talks with Arianna Huffington about her new book, Right Is Wrong. They get off some pretty funny lines – and some serious political discussion, too. Not to be missed!

KCRW's resident satirist and host of Le Show, Harry Shearer, talks with Arianna Huffington about her new book, Right Is Wrong. They get off some pretty funny lines – and some serious political discussion, too. Not to be missed!

In his new book, Who Owns Antiquity: Museums and the Battle over Our Ancient Heritage, James Cuno, Director of the Chicago Art Institute, argues that the treasures of antiquity belong to all of civilization...

In his new book, Who Owns Antiquity: Museums and the Battle over Our Ancient Heritage, James Cuno, Director of the Chicago Art Institute, argues that the treasures of antiquity belong to all of civilization...

In his new book, The Post-American World, Fareed Zakaria argues that the "rise of the rest" is the great story of our time.

In his new book, The Post-American World, Fareed Zakaria argues that the "rise of the rest" is the great story of our time.

Robert Scheer talks about his latest book, The Pornography of Power: How Defense Hawks Hijacked 9/11 and Weakened America with host Steven Ross, Professor of History at USC.

Robert Scheer talks about his latest book, The Pornography of Power: How Defense Hawks Hijacked 9/11 and Weakened America with host Steven Ross, Professor of History at USC.

The rise of the Bin Laden family is one of the great stories of the 20th century, and its repercussions have already marked the 21st. It's also a story that has never fully been told till now: Pulitzer Prize winner Steve Coll talks with Will Lewis about his new book, The Bin Ladens: An Arabian Family in the American Century.

The rise of the Bin Laden family is one of the great stories of the 20th century, and its repercussions have already marked the 21st. It's also a story that has never fully been told till now: Pulitzer Prize winner Steve Coll talks with Will Lewis about his new book, The Bin Ladens: An Arabian Family in the American Century.

KCRW has its own group of Brits (Nic Harcourt, Music Director; Frances Anderton, DnA: Design and Architecture). We celebrate the advent of BritWeek 2008 by discussing the UK's influence on US culture, with Frances on architecture; Nic on music; author Simon Doonan, Barney's New York Creative Director, on fashion; and Gary Dartnall, former chair of BAFTA, on film. Ruth Seymour hosts.

KCRW has its own group of Brits (Nic Harcourt, Music Director; Frances Anderton, DnA: Design and Architecture). We celebrate the advent of BritWeek 2008 by discussing the UK's influence on US culture, with Frances on architecture; Nic on music; author Simon Doonan, Barney's New York Creative Director, on fashion; and Gary Dartnall, former chair of BAFTA, on film. Ruth Seymour hosts.

Controversial comments by Barack Obama's pastor have created a giant news storm. Join Ruth Seymour for Part II of a conversation about race in America with civil rights leader, Reverend James Lawson; NPR's Juan Williams; and USC historian Robin D.G. Kelley.

Controversial comments by Barack Obama's pastor have created a giant news storm. Join Ruth Seymour for Part II of a conversation about race in America with civil rights leader, Reverend James Lawson; NPR's Juan Williams; and USC historian Robin D.G. Kelley.

Controversial comments by Barack Obama's pastor have created a giant news storm. Join Ruth Seymour for Part II of a conversation about race in America with civil rights leader, Reverend James Lawson; NPR's Juan Williams; and USC historian Robin D.G. Kelley.

Barack Obama's speech was supposed to calm the waters concerning controversial comments by his Pastor, It generated more headlines instead. Ruth Seymour joins Reverend James Lawson, Harvard Law Professor Randall Kennedy and USC Professor Robin D.G. Kelley for a conversation about race. (Part 1 of 2: Part II will air next week at this time.)

Barack Obama's speech was supposed to calm the waters concerning controversial comments by his Pastor, It generated more headlines instead. Ruth Seymour joins Reverend James Lawson, Harvard Law Professor Randall Kennedy and USC Professor Robin D.G. Kelley for a conversation about race. (Part 1 of 2: Part II will air next week at this time.)

Barack Obama's speech was supposed to calm the waters concerning controversial comments by his Pastor, It generated more headlines instead. Ruth Seymour joins Reverend James Lawson, Harvard Law Professor Randall Kennedy and USC Professor Robin D.G. Kelley for a conversation about race. (Part 1 of 2: Part II will air next week at this time.)

The Literary Liars Club recently expanded its roster. The latest scandal involves a suburban white woman writing as a half-white, half-Indian inner-city gangbanger. Why is there such a proliferation of fake memoirs? Why not just sell an imaginary story as fiction?