What does the rise of mixed martial arts (MMA) say about American culture? And is it barbaric human cockfighting or a noble sport?

In Slumdog Millionaire, director Danny Boyle’s fast-paced, frenetic style suits the chaotic, East-meets-West world of modern Mumbai.

James Galbraith’s prediction of the collapse of the nation’s financial system has earned him a well-deserved reputation for prescience. His understanding of recent history, however, is another matter.

The John Templeton Foundation recently asked more than a dozen leading scholars and public figures to write short essays responding to the question, “Does the free market corrode moral character?” Templeton also sponsored an event in London on this subject in early December, from which the conversation below is adapted.

What you see of 1990s-era America depends on where you stand.

Overcoming barriers to effective immigration reform.

Traveling with the Secretary of State can be fun (and games).

Some truths about the relationship between policymaking and intelligence.

The global dimension of the U.S. war on drugs needs downsizing.

Hollywood-produced movies like Kung Fu Panda paint Chinese culture in a positive light for all the world to see, which has Beijing wondering, “Why can’t we do that?”