Politics Archives

Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World (Overview)

How can the U.S. bolster its influence in the world? Why isn’t it stronger than it is? The United States has an attitude problem. It views the world through a self-centered lens, based on the assumption that U.S. actions and policy decisions are the main driving force behind global events. That’s the view of General H. R. McMaster, who writes about this in his book. Continue reading for an overview of Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World.

Dark Money by Jane Mayer: Book Overview

How have the Koch brothers influenced American politics? What policies and candidates have they supported, and why? In Dark Money, award-winning journalist Jane Mayer argues that the wealthy elite in America has used their fortunes to propagate far-right ideology in American politics between the 1970s and 2016. She discusses conservative business tycoons Charles and David Koch in particular. Continue reading for an overview of Dark Money by Jane Mayer.

Why John Rawls Said Utilitarianism Is Unjust

What is John Rawls’s critique of utilitarianism? Why does Rawls consider utilitarianism immoral? Utilitarianism was a dominant theory of justice during Rawls’s time. In A Theory of Justice, Rawls criticizes utilitarianism on the grounds of allowing the majority to oppress a minority. Here are John Rawls’s utilitarianism views.

The Growing Threat of China: General McMaster’s Assessment

What’s China’s vision for the world? How is China’s economic warfare being played out? What’s the risk to the rest of the world? In Battlegrounds, General H. R. McMaster identifies five “hot spots”—points of conflict between the U.S. and other parts of the world. These are China, Russia, Afghanistan, the Middle East, and North Korea. Keep reading for McMaster’s assessment of the growing threat of China, including China’s economic warfare.

What Is the Original Position? John Rawls’s Theory, Explained

What is the original position? How does the original position inform John Rawls’s theory of justice? “The original position” is the foundation of John Rawls’s theory of justice. The original position aims to determine the ideal theory of justice—one that a group of equals could rationally agree is best, regardless of their own personal backgrounds or circumstances. Keep reading to learn about the original position.

Russian Aggression in Europe: Pining for the U.S.S.R.’s Glory Days

What motivates Vladimir Putin? What’s he after? What’s his strategy? In Battlegrounds, General H. R. McMaster explains Vladimir Putin’s emotional motivations. He also describes the methods by which Russia is reasserting itself as a world power. Read more for this enlightening and timely discussion of Russian aggression in Europe.

John Rawls’s Difference Principle—When Inequality Is Okay

What is John Rawls’s difference principle? Under what circumstances should inequality be allowed in society? The difference principle is the second principle in John Rawls’s book A Theory of Justice. The difference principle states that instances of inequality should only be permitted if they make the least advantaged better off. Keep reading to learn about Rawls’s difference principle and the kind of circumstances that would call for it.

How to Deal With North Korea: The Wild Card Among Adversaries

Why is North Korea such a threat to the world? Why haven’t economic strategies halted its aggression? What’s the answer to the North Korea problem? In Battlegrounds, General H. R. McMaster offers solutions to America’s foreign policy ills. He identifies North Korea as the riskiest “hot spot” in the world and recommends a coordinated effort to neutralize the threat. Read more to learn about McMaster’s ideas on how to deal with North Korea.

John Rawls: The Veil of Ignorance and Justice

What is John Rawls’s “veil of ignorance” assumption? How can ignorance inform justice? The veil of ignorance is a device for helping people arrive at a rational definition of justice. The idea is that by imagining that they are ignorant about their personal circumstances—things like race, sex, gender, age, wealth, and religious beliefs—people can prevent their biases from interfering in their reasoning. Here’s why justice should be founded on ignorance, according to Rawls.

Foreign Policy Failures: America’s 2 Misguided Assumptions

Has the U.S. been naive in its foreign policy since the end of the Cold War? Is overwhelming military force the answer to every threat? General H. R. McMaster describes how poor fundamental assumptions have clouded U.S. foreign policy in ways that are detrimental to itself and other nations. He discusses how these flawed assumptions have led to foreign policy failures in multiple corners of the world. Continue reading to learn about McMaster’s take on U.S. foreign policy.