Politics Archives

How Liberal Intellectuals Conspire With the Power Elite

How did the role of American intellectuals change after World War II? What impact has this had on political power? In The Power Elite, American sociologist C. Wright Mills argues that, traditionally, intellectuals in America helped Americans understand what was going on in their society, how it affected their lives, and what they could do about it. However, he claims that this changed after World War II. Keep reading to learn how liberal intellectuals contribute to the influence of the power elite in America.

How American Conservative Intellectuals Harm Instead of Help

What tactics do conservative intellectuals use to combat their ideological opponents? What’s their relationship with America’s power elite? C. Wright Mills suggests that the majority of American intellectuals fail to acknowledge, question, or challenge the rule of the power elite. This has taken power away from the American people by depriving them of their ability to understand what’s going on in government. Let’s take a look at what Mills has to say about conservative intellectuals in particular.

How the American Intellectual Class Fails in Its Duty

What’s the role of intellectuals in society? How has that role changed in America over the years? Sociologist C. Wright Mills says that America’s intellectual class used to run interference for the people, helping them understand what was going on and know how to stand up for their interests. All of that changed after World War II. Learn how the American intellectual class is now part of the problem.

The Centralization of Power: How the People Lost Control

Do you feel powerless to impact politics? Does it seem like the major decisions are made by powerful people far away? You’re not alone—and things haven’t always been this way. In The Power Elite, American sociologist C. Wright Mills discusses how a small group of corporate, military, and political leaders has taken over a vast majority of American political and economic decision-making. Continue reading for Mills’s exploration of how the centralization of power progressed in America at the expense of the people.

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson: Book Overview

What is Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson about? What are the main takeaways of the book? In Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson discusses the 1989 case of Walter McMillian and his evidence of extreme punishments doled out more broadly by the justice system. He provides a diagnosis of the root problems with the American conception of justice and his suggestions for repairing it. Read below for a brief overview of Just Mercy.

Mass Incarceration in the U.S.: The 4 Main Demographics

Why is mass incarceration in the U.S. a big problem? Who’s the most susceptible to being incarcerated in America? In Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson finds that the U.S. justice system consistently doles out extreme punishments to the most vulnerable Americans. He discusses four demographics that are susceptible to unjust punishments: children, the intellectually disabled and mentally ill, veterans, and women. Find out why these groups of people are more likely to be victims of the corrupt justice system.

Nelson Mandela and Apartheid: The Battle of a Lifetime

What was apartheid? How did it impact people’s lives? When and how was it defeated? Long Walk to Freedom chronicles Nelson Mandela’s decades-long fight against the evil policy of apartheid in South Africa. He discusses the background of apartheid, the rise of policy, his efforts during his imprisonment, and the ultimate defeat of apartheid. Read more to learn the history of Nelson Mandela and apartheid.

How to Improve the Criminal Justice System in 2 Steps

How can we improve the criminal justice system? Why do we need to rethink our idea of justice? In Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson suggests that progress toward making the criminal justice system fair is possible. But first, we need to have a clear understanding of justice and the legal system’s conception of just punishment. Here’s how to improve the criminal justice system, one step at a time.

The 4 Worst Problems With the Criminal Justice System

What are the main problems with the criminal justice system? How can we fix our understanding of justice? The criminal justice system is far from perfect, but we can help get it there. Bryan Stevenson’s book Just Mercy highlights the institutions that have corrupted how we view justice and offers solutions to guide us in the right direction. Continue reading to learn more about these problems and how we can fix them.

Why Did Nelson Mandela Join the African National Congress?

Why did Nelson Mandela join the African National Congress? Why did he later help create the ANC Youth League? Nelson Mandela’s struggle against a culture of oppression and apartheid wasn’t just about securing legal rights for Blacks but also about fostering national and racial pride. That led him to join the ranks of the African National Congress (ANC) in the early 1940s. Continue reading to learn his motivations to join the ANC and his early efforts within the party.