Publications
Rethinking Radicalization
Radicalization is complex. Yet a thinly-sourced, reductionist view of how people become terrorists has gained unwarranted legitimacy in some counterterrorism circles. Only by analyzing what we know about radicalization and the government’s response to it can we be sure that these reactions are grounded in fact rather than stereotypes and truly advance our efforts to combat terrorism.
Authored by: Faiza Patel
– 03/08/11
A Media Guide to Redistricting
This guide provides members of the media with information and tools to open the doors and bring public awareness to a process that is frequently obscure and opaque. The Guide offers a comprehensive yet comprehensible discussion of redistricting issues, information on how redistricting is conducted in each state, and comparison charts of various redistricting methods. We all have an obligation to try to crack open the doors of the process. There is a tremendous story to be told, and the media can play a vital role in telling it.
Authored by: Erika Wood & Myrna Pérez
– 03/07/11
Transparent Elections after Citizens United
Where do disclosure laws stand post-Citizens United? What does the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court ruling mean for state-based laws? And are disclosure laws constitutionally sound? This report examines these questions and urges transparency through modest changes to state-based election laws.
Authored by: Ciara Torres-Spelliscy
– 03/01/11
Democracy & Justice: Collected Writings, Vol. IV
This volume is a sample of the Brennan Center’s work on all fronts in the fight for democracy and justice in 2010.
Authored by: The Brennan Center for Justice
– 02/28/11
The Cost of Voter ID Laws: What the Courts Say
Based on a comprehensive review of every court case in which a photo ID law has been challenged, this paper examines of the costs states must incur if they decide to implement photo ID requirements for voters.
Authored by: Vishal Agraharkar, Wendy Weiser, and Adam Skaggs
– 02/17/11
Meaningful Ethics Reform for the “New” Albany
The corruption scandals of the last few years have profoundly shaken the faith of New Yorkers in their state government. This report examines the system erected by New York's current ethics laws and makes clear recommendations for a way forward.
Authored by: Lawrence Norden, Kelly Williams, & John Travis
– 02/11/11
Domestic Intelligence: New Powers, New Risks
The Attorney General’s Guidelines for Domestic FBI Operations tip the scales too far in favor of relatively unchecked government power, allowing the FBI to sweep too much information about too many innocent people into the government’s view. In so doing, they pose significant threats to Americans’ civil liberties and risk undermining the very counterterrorism efforts they are meant to further. And while some may doubt the severity of these threats, nobody can argue that such broad powers in the hands of government officials should be monitored regularly to ensure that they are not being abused.
Authored by: Emily Berman
– 01/18/11
Writing Reform: A Guide to Drafting State & Local Campaign Finance Laws (2010 Revised Edition)
Written by Brennan Center attorneys who have litigated campaign finance cases in federal and state courts throughout the nation, Writing Reform offers both practical tips and legal analysis for drafters of campaign finance reform bills or initiatives—those who want to stay within current constitutional constraints and those who want to test those limits.
Authored by: Ciara Torres-Spelliscy
– 12/09/10
Filibuster Abuse
Over the last decade, Senate procedures have increasingly been used to prevent decision-making rather than to promote deliberation and debate. The threat of a filibuster – coupled with a 60-vote requirement to force any substantive vote – has affected nearly every action in the Senate during the last several years, under both Republican and Democratic majorities. As a result, the Senate has effectively ceased operating as the majoritarian institution our founders intended for it to be.
Authored by: Mimi Marziani, with a Foreword by Susan Liss
– 12/07/10
A Citizen’s Guide to Redistricting, 2010 Edition
Just in time for the upcoming redistricting cycle, our Citizen's Guide to Redistricting has been updated and expanded to include recent court decisions as well as the latest changes to state and congressional redistricting processes across the country. This Guide will provide engaged citizens with the knowledge and tools they need to get involved with this round of redistricting, and to work towards continuing reform in the decades to come.
Authored by: Justin Levitt, with a Foreword by Erika Wood
– 11/29/10