Politics Archives

Jimmy Carter’s Foreign Policy: A Tainted Legacy of Peace

What were Jimmy Carter’s foreign policy successes? What personal principles undergirded his global approach? On the global stage, Jimmy Carter distinguished himself as a president who would eschew the use of military strength except as a last resort. Instead, he prioritized maintaining and promoting peace at any cost, including political damage to himself. Read more to learn about the key successes and failures of Jimmy Carter’s foreign policy.

Why Vermont’s Death With Dignity Law Sparked Debate

Why is Vermont’s “Death With Dignity” law so controversial? What are the pros and cons of physician-assisted death? Vermont has become the first state to remove the residency requirement for physician-assisted death, sparking renewed debates around “Death with Dignity” laws. This change means that terminally ill individuals from outside the state can now seek life-ending care in Vermont. In this article, we’ll discuss the details of the law and the pros and cons.

Tenets of Postmodernism: A Focus on the Expression of Power

What’s postmodernism? What’s deconstruction? What’s the difference between cultural hierarchy and class hierarchy? In Cynical Theories, Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay show how, over time, social justice went from a positive force to its current form. The first phase featured liberals and Marxists taking a material approach. In the second phase, postmodernism, the focus shifted to culture. Read more to learn about the tenets of postmodernism and how it shaped social justice.

China’s Economic Reform: Maintaining Xi’s & the CCP’s Power

How does Xi Jinping use China’s economy to achieve his aims? How does the Chinese economy impact the US? According to diplomat Kevin Rudd, China changed course when Xi Jinping came to power. Rudd believes that the core of President Xi’s vision is retaining control over the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), keeping the CCP in power, and using Marxist-Leninist ideology to guide the country’s economic policies. Keep reading to learn why Rudd thinks that China’s economic reforms are really about keeping Xi and the CCP in power.

Jimmy Carter’s Political Career: From Georgia to Washington

How did Jimmy Carter’s political career start? What are some of the defining moments that shaped his career and formed his legacy? Biographer Jonathan Alter takes us on a journey through Jimmy Carter’s political career that starts well before his presidency. Alter discusses what drew Carter to politics in the first place, and he describes the various stops on the winding road that ended at the White House. Read more to learn about Carter’s career from the Georgia State Senate to the US presidency.

China’s Global Influence: Challenging the Global Rules-Based Order

Why is China attempting to rebuild its historic trade relationships? Why is it establishing businesses in various parts of the world? China isn’t content with the “world power” status it’s enjoyed for decades. They want even more. That’s the view of diplomat Kevin Rudd, who writes that President Xi Jinping aims to challenge the “global rules-based order” and wield more and more influence all over the world. Read more to learn about China’s global influence and how it’s growing.

Current US-China Relations as Seen From Each Perspective

How do the US and China view each other? Why have US-China relations soured in recent years? Hostility between the US and China has been growing for over a decade, eroding the wary but pragmatic relationship of years past. Australian diplomat and politician Kevin Rudd argues that this tenuous relationship is unraveling, and he provides an analysis of where relations stand now. Read on to understand current US-China relations from America’s and China’s perspective.

A History of Social Justice: How It Ended Up as Critical Theories

What’s the history of social justice ideology and approaches? How have the goals and methods changed over time? Past movements for equality used to fight for concrete issues. Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay contend that contemporary activists and scholars are now more concerned with policing language and culture, shutting down rational debate, and challenging the very foundations of liberal society. Read on to understand how this incredible transformation came about.

Do Boycotts Work? A Look at Cancel Culture in the US

What’s behind the recent rise in boycotts in the US? Do boycotts work? Is there such a thing as too many boycotts? Boycotts are on the rise in the US, but experts say they’re not leading to the change that Americans participating in them hope to see. Experts say the growing ubiquity of boycotts could reduce their effectiveness in the future, as constant controversy associated with them causes Americans to tune out. Keep reading to learn about the most recent boycotts in the US and whether or not they’re working.

Reform & Diplomacy: A Fresh Look at the Carter Administration

How did Jimmy Carter reshape the role of the vice president? Why was the Department of Energy created? What are the highs and lows of Carter’s foreign policy? Supporters of Jimmy Carter would probably rather talk about his post-presidential years than his time in the White House. However, biographer Jonathan Alter thinks the Carter Administration deserves another look. While mistakes were made, Alter believes Carter’s achievements should be acknowledged. Continue reading for Alter’s assessment of Jimmy Carter’s presidency.