Trump’s conflicts of interest: molehill or a mountain?

[Click here to view this message in your browser]. Edition: US 18 January 2017 [[The Conversation]Academic rigor, journalistic flair] Editor's note Using a sizable mountain of important-looking manila envelopes as a backdrop, Donald Trump recently explained the plan for ensuring his business interests don’t conflict with his job as president: He’s turning management over to his sons. The plan did little to dispel the complaints of critics, including the director of the Office of Government Ethics. Trump will likely get away with it, however, because Americans [have forgotten what a major government ethics scandal looks like], writes Elizabeth Tippett, a law professor at the University of Oregon. By his intransigence, Trump may end up reminding us. University of Michigan historian Brian Porter-Szücs sends us a [dispatch from Poland], where he has witnessed the rapid deterioration of the country after the election of the nationalist Law and Justice Party in 2015. And from our colleagues in the UK, [reaction to Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit speech] yesterday. “In her desire to be a global, free-trade power,” writes political scientist Martin Smith, “May is trying to achieve something that is not possible.” Bryan Keogh Editor, Economics and Business Top story A pile of papers do not a conflict-of-interest plan make. Evan Vucci/AP Photo [Trump snubs ethical norms because we've forgotten why they matter] Elizabeth C. Tippett, University of Oregon We haven't had a major government ethics scandal since Watergate, which means Americans have forgotten how bad it can be. Trump may end up unintentionally reminding us. Politics + Society - [One way Trump is different from European nationalists] Brian Porter-Szücs, University of Michigan An historian based in Poland sees many similarities between Trump and authoritarian nationalists like Poland's Jarosław Kaczyński. But the parallels only go so far. Science + Technology - [Using electricity, not molecules, to switch cells on and off] William Bentley, University of Maryland; Gregory Payne, University of Maryland New research works out how to translate between the language of biology – molecules – and the language of microelectronics – electrons. It could open the door to new kinds of biosensors and therapeutics. Education - [Why the legacy of Shakers will endure] Joanne M. Pierce, College of the Holy Cross The Shakers prioritized harmony and a simple lifestyle. They were among the earliest proponents of gender equality. Health + Medicine - [Rural America, already hurting, could be most harmed by Trump's promise to repeal Obamacare] Margaret Greenwood-Ericksen, University of Michigan; Mahshid Abir, University of Michigan Repeal and replacement of Obamacare would hurt rural health care, causing closure of hospitals and physician practices. What does this mean for a group of people whom Donald Trump has pledged to help? Economy + Business - [Theresa May's hard Brexit hinges on a dated vision of global trade] Martin Smith, University of York The PM is overestimating Brexit Britain's place in the world as she boldly strides out of the single market. Environment + Energy - [How we discovered the world's largest tropical peatland, deep in the jungles of Congo] Simon Lewis, UCL; Greta Dargie, University of Leeds A swampy area the size of England stores as much carbon as 20 years of U.S. fossil fuel emissions. Rest of the World - United Kingdom [How to read Theresa May’s Brexit speech] Paul James Cardwell, University of Sheffield The UK prime minister is squaring up to European negotiators in pledging a hard Brexit. But is she overplaying her hand? - Australia [The search for MH370 is over: what we learnt and where to now] Charitha Pattiaratchi, University of Western Australia The search for MH370 has been officially suspended without having found the plane. Where could MH370 be? Was the search in vain? - Africa [High stakes as West Africa prepares military action against Gambia’s Jammeh] Abdul-Jalilu Ateku, University of Nottingham Yahya Jammeh will certainly be removed if West Africa decides to use force. But that will come at a heavy price for The Gambia, the neighbouring states and the world as a whole [The Conversation on Twitter] [The Conversation on Facebook] You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe instantly]. We’ll miss you. 745 Atlantic Ave. 8th Floor Boston, MA 02111