Politics & Current Affairs

The money you donate to feed starving children may actually be prolonging war in places like Darfur and Somalia, says Dutch journalist Linda Polman.

Blogging has changed the art of non-fiction writing, says Andrew Sullivan, one of the first political commentators to embrace the form in 2000. When you blog “everything you write is […]

Scientific innovation is desperately needed to solve our most pressing problems but how scientists get money for their research stifles, rather than spurs, creativity.

George Monbiot says financial crisis cuts in the U.K. are being used to “reshape the economy in the interests of business – and to trash the public sector.”

“WikiLeaks isn’t the problem. It’s reams of unnecessarily classified documents that remain hidden from the public eye by overzealous intelligence officials.”

Karl Rove says the presidential campaign will focus on two broad issues: the way somebody governs and the way in which they act; their persona and their agenda.

While in many parts of the world today women enjoy greater power and opportunity than ever before, there are also places where women remain essentially powerless, lacking access to even basic education or human rights.

For a growing number of Americans—including many in the military—October 31st is returning to its Celtic and pre-Christian roots.

“Religious chauvinism flourishes along with bigotry when ignorance reigns: The less you know about other people’s religions, the more blithely you may assert the superiority of your own.”

“We can end the political stalemate if we summon the courage to end illegal immigration, provide amnesty at a price, and be more selective about who we welcome into the country.”

“Military outlays should reflect the threats facing America, not America’s economic wealth.” The National Interest says our military spending should be scaled back.

An Economist blogger defends the right of corporations to make unlimited campaign contributions only if foreign corporations are granted the same right.

“In the last few weeks, four young gay men have committed suicide, all in some way connected to fear, shame or isolation around the issue of their homosexuality.”

“American foreign policy stands on the brink of substantial belt-tightening.” Professor of American Foreign Policy Michael Mandelbaum on the effects of the recession.

When a major earthquake struck Haiti in January, it caused unbelievable damage and many created a humanitarian nightmare. But it also served as a wake-up call for other Caribbean nations […]

Women are still greatly underrepresented in elected office—even though new research shows they may be more effective politicians than their male counterparts.

“Virginia Lamp Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, is fighting for what she believes in, and for that she should get enormous credit.”

“Faced with electoral repudiation, Democrats are unleashing government power to silence their political opponents. The press corps ought to blow the whistle.”

“The natural human optimism that allows people, election after election, to believe campaign promises also consigns them to repeated bouts of disappointment.”

“Eliminate the costs, fiscal and otherwise, of the drug war.” The Chicago Tribune’s Steve Chapman says the war on drugs is a sinkhole; the government should change policy.

“For all the money sloshing around in American politics, you still cannot buy the results of elections.” The Economist says the law of diminishing returns applies to campaign money.

Global institutions require the leadership of great powers; it remains to be seen whether this century’s powers are up for the task, says Harvard professor Joseph Nye.

“Shortly before the announcement of National Security Advisor James Jones’ resignation, Spiegel spoke to him about the war on terror and the state of Pakistan.”

Re-election campaigns distract U.S. presidents from their executive duties. Should we eliminate them in favor of longer terms?

“Californians will have to decide how much weight to give to respect for adult liberty, protection of minors, fiscal considerations, and protection of marijuana users’ health.”

“The U.S. midterm elections are on course to become the most expensive in history next month, estimated at well over $5bn—an indication of how much is riding on the outcome.”

“If Obama wants to save his presidency, he may have to do it the old-fashioned way: not by transcending his party’s divisions, but uniting his supporters around their common fears.” rn

Does the current drinking age (21) contribute to dangerous outcomes related to both binge drinking and unplanned, unsafe sex?

“If there’s one epithet the right never tires of, it’s ‘elitism.’ So what do Republicans mean by this French word?” Slate reviews the history of a modern political scare word.

An idea proposed by the Third Way, that government issue an itemized taxpayer receipt, has the support of many commentators who want to know what their tax dollars are used for.