Politics Archives

How Climate Change Is Affecting Homeowners Insurance

Why is it a bad idea to buy a house in California or Florida right now? How is climate change affecting insurance? A growing number of US home insurers are limiting coverage, raising rates, and pulling out of states entirely as climate change-related natural disasters grow in frequency and intensity. Failure to address the problem will further destabilize already weakened insurance markets. Here’s what you need to know about climate change, insurance, and the housing market if you’re considering investing in property.

Leveraging Watergate: Jimmy Carter’s Campaign for President

What was Jimmy Carter’s campaign strategy when he ran for president? Why was it effective? In His Very Best, biographer Jonathan Alter presents a fresh perspective on Jimmy Carter’s life and career. One major chapter in Carter’s story is his successful run for president in 1976. Keep reading to learn about Jimmy Carter’s campaign strategy and how it succeeded.

What Are Stand Your Ground Laws & Are They Still Relevant?

What are stand-your-ground laws, and should they be considered in 2023? What effect do stand-your-ground laws have on crime? Despite recent cases of homeowners shooting people who mistakenly approached their homes, Republicans are pushing for a national stand-your-ground law. This law would allow people who feel threatened to use deadly force. Below, we’ll look at the effect of such laws, already established in more than 30 states, on society and on crime rates.

The Colorado River Agreement: Everything We Know

What is the Colorado River Agreement? Is it too late to save the river? The Colorado River is rapidly drying up due to mismanagement and the ongoing drought in the Western US. The seven Colorado River Basin states have struck a deal with the Biden administration to drastically reduce their water consumption, which they hope will stabilize the water supply for the short term. Below we’ll go over the Colorado River Agreement, including why it’s needed, the details of the deal, and whether or not it’s too late.

Damaged Legacy: Jimmy Carter & the Iran Hostage Crisis

Why did Iran take American hostages in 1979? Why did it take so long to free them? What should President Carter have done differently? Biographer Jonathan Alter can’t ignore the crisis that defined much of the presidency of Jimmy Carter—the Iran hostage crisis. Alter details the road to the crisis, Carter’s resistance to using military force, and the final push to free the hostages just as Carter’s presidency came to its end. Read on to learn about this dark chapter in American history.

The Origin of Social Justice: Liberal & Marxist Material Solutions

What were some of the first social justice movements? How did they differ from later movements? Authors, academics, and cultural critics Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay discuss the history of social justice in politics and scholarship. They say that the social justice we have today is far removed from the earlier movements. Continue reading to learn about the origin of social justice movements.

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.