Aligned with our university Charter, the series reflects our commitment to broad participation, civic responsibility, and advancing the public good through education and open dialogue.
About Dialogues for Democracy
Dialogues for Democracy is a nonpartisan speaker series designed to inspire civic engagement, foster respectful dialogue and explore the foundations and future of democracy. The series brings thought leaders and practitioners to engage the ASU community in timely, critical conversations.
Inspired by the University of Chicago Institute of Politics and the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics, the ASU Institute of Politics launched in February 2025 under the leadership of founding director Ambassador Jeff Flake, former U.S. senator and congressman from Arizona.
An initiative of the Office of the University Provost, the Dialogues for Democracy speaker series was among the inaugural offerings of the IOP. Co-sponsored by ASU’s Center for Free Speech, the forum
welcomed a diverse range of voices and viewpoints from top political strategists and thought leaders in politics, business, journalism, sports and education.
Many of the events were hosted by David Axelrod, political consultant, analyst and former White House advisor. Axelrod, who was influential in founding the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics, joined ASU this spring to advance the work of the Center for Free Speech and help launch the ASU Institute of Politics.
Over the course of 10 weeks, the Dialogues for Democracy series hosted: 2,175 guests 10 speakers and 3 hosts at 7 events in 3 venues on 1 campus
February 2025
ASU Institute of Politics launches
Feb. 6 Martin Baron
Feb. 26 Mark Cuban
March 2025
March 3 John Anzalone and Tony Fabrizio
March 4 Michael Crow, Nadine Strossen and Larry Summers
March 25 Susan Rice
April 2025
April 7 Steve Kerr
April 15 Robert O’Brien
Being an American is a lifestyle and in many cases a choice. And it’s who we are that makes this country great ... ‘ this is my country, and that takes precedence.’
–Mark Cuban
Mark Cuban with host Jeff Flake on Feb. 26 at ASU’s Mullett Arena on Tempe campus
A season of dynamic leaders
The success of the series was driven by the leadership and engaging presence of our featured hosts, Ambassador Jeff Flake and David Axelrod. Their thoughtful questions, deep experience and commitment to civil discourse set the tone for meaningful conversations throughout the season.
Jeff Flake
Former U.S. senator and congressman representing Arizona, U.S. ambassador to Türkiye and founding director of ASU’s Institute of Politics
David Axelrod
American political consultant, analyst, CNN political commentator and former chief strategist and senior advisor to President Obama
Martin Baron
Pulitzer Prize-winning former executive editor of The Washington Post, whose leadership at The Boston Globe was portrayed in the Oscar-winning film “Spotlight”
Date/Time: Thursday, Feb. 6, 12 - 1 p.m.
Location: ASU Walton Center, Room 107
Host: David Axelrod
Topic: The news media’s role in advancing freedom of speech
“The role of the press is to give the public the information that it needs and deserves to know so that people can govern themselves. The reality is that while we in the press depend on a democracy to survive, democracy depends on a free press as well to survive.”
– Martin Baron
Mark Cuban
Entrepreneur, former principal owner of the Dallas Mavericks and TV personality
Date/Time: Wednesday, Feb. 26, 4–5 p.m.
Location: Mullett Arena at ASU
Host: Jeff Flake
Topic: How government and private sectors can advance entrepreneurship and support business development in the U.S.
“When you get involved, go in with an open mind. Don’t go in thinking they have all the answers. Go in thinking, I have a lot to learn, but I also have lot to teach.”
– Mark Cuban
Date/Time: Monday, March 3, 12 - 1 p.m.
Location: ASU Walton Center, Room 107
Host: David Axelrod
Topic: Recapping the 2024 presidential election
“What I tell everyone who’s interested in politics, who’s young, is go out there and get on a campaign. It doesn’t matter how big or small. Matter of fact, it’s better if it’s small because you’ll have a bigger role.”
– John Anzalone
View full interview here.
John Anzalone Democratic pollster
Tony Fabrizio
Republican pollster
View full interview here.
Michael Crow
Arizona State University president
Nadine Strossen
Former president of the ACLU
Larry Summers
Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury
Date/Time: Tuesday, March 4, 5–6 p.m.
Location: ASU Walton Center, Room 107
Moderator: Doug Belkin, The Wall Street Journal
Topic: Freedom of speech on American campuses
“Academic freedom is very important, but it is very distinct. It comes with professional responsibilities. It is a professional privilege of faculty members to engage in research, to pursue teaching, to disseminate the fruits of their research without control or limitation by administrators, by politicians, except for professional standards that are agreed upon by their professional peers.”
– Nadine Strossen
Susan Rice
Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, national security advisor and director of the White House Domestic Policy Council
Date/Time: Tuesday, March 25, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Location: Memorial Union, Turquoise 220
Host: David Axelrod
Topic: The New World: Abroad and at Home
“I’m the defender of the rule of law, our rights, the fact that all of us are human beings of equal value and worth, and we all deserve dignity and respect and, I think, a fair shake. That’s all I care about.”
–
Susan Rice
View full interview here.
View full interview here.
Steve Kerr
Nine-time NBA champion, head coach of the Golden State Warriors and the U.S. national team
Date/Time: Monday, April 7, 6–7:00 p.m.
Location: ASU Walton Center, Room 107
Host: David Axelrod
Topic: Leadership lessons from basketball and life
“You know, we all have our own background and whatever’s happened in our lives that affects us. And, as a leader, as a coach, you you want to help people be the best versions of themselves.
I just think that the approach is, connect and help and guide and, but at the same time you let that person be himself. And it’s a delicate dance for sure.”
– Steve Kerr
Robert O’Brien
American attorney, diplomat and former national security advisor
Date/Time: Tuesday, April 15, 4–5:00 p.m.
Location: ASU Walton Center, Room 107
Host: Jeff Flake
Topic: U.S. foreign policy in a shifting world
“And so I think when I look back on what we got right at the NSC, it was getting a variety of deals to bring peace to these countries, which was ultimately in our national security interests. But there’s also just a benefit to humanity from having people get along and stop wars.”
– Robert O’Brien
View full interview here.
View full interview here.
What is culture? It’s values. What do you stand for? If those things come alive every day and are real, then you’ve got something.
–Steve Kerr
Steve Kerr with host David Axelrod on April 7 at the Rob and Melani Walton Center for Planetary Health on ASU’s Tempe campus