Politics Archives

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.

The Arrest of Nelson Mandela: The Freedom Fight Escalates

Why was Nelson Mandela arrested? Why didn’t he receive the death penalty? At first, Nelson Mandela wanted to fight apartheid peacefully. Nonviolent efforts went nowhere, so he created a guerilla group that shook things up. This ultimately led to his arrest in 1962. Continue reading to learn about the arrest of Nelson Mandela.

Adam Smith’s Theory of International Trade: It’s About Freedom

Do embargoes lead to smuggling? Does trade benefit both countries? Is a trade deficit a bad thing? Adam Smith disagrees with restricting international trade for three reasons. He argues that it incentivizes smuggling, redirects domestic capital towards inefficient industries, and prevents countries from entering into mutually beneficial trade relationships. Continue reading for an overview of Adam Smith’s theory of international trade.

Critiquing Regulated Markets: Adam Smith Calls Out 2 Policies

What happens when the government meddles with the economy? What do regulated markets produce (or fail to produce)? The development of a nation’s wealth depends on competitive markets in which participants are free to act in their own self-interest. In The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith identifies government policies that interfere with this process and slow down economic growth. We’ll explore two regulated market policies that Smith critiques: restricting international trade and subsidizing industries.

What Should the Government Spend Money On? 4 Priorities

What should the government spend money on? What should its priorities be and why? In The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith discusses what he thinks are the best ways to grow a nation’s economy. Since growth is the goal, Smith opposes most public spending. He outlines two criteria for what he considers proper government expenditures. Only four things meet these criteria. Let’s take a look at what makes the cut and why.

Adam Smith’s Principles of Taxation: Tackling a Necessary Evil

How is ethical taxation achieved? How can taxes be less disruptive to the economy? In The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith shares his general principles for how taxes ought to be collected and assessed. He also analyzes specific forms of taxation in light of his principles and explains how each tax is problematic in its own way. Let’s review Adam Smith’s principles of taxation and his analysis of three common tax policies.