John Keynes revolutionized economics in the early 20th century with his critique of the popular Laissez-Faire model. Writing during the Great Depression, Keynes highlights the important relationship between the government and the market to promote growth and stability. Irina Maryukhina traces examples of Keynes’ economic theories put to use throughout the past century, ultimately arguing in favor of government involvement in the market.
The idea of the female gaze has seen widespread references throughout pop culture, appearing in everyday conversations evermore. Fiona Fortunato explores the historical evolution and contemporary patterns that plague cinema and literature. Curating the idea of a female gaze as references through analogies in Greek mythology, she traces its influences through art and culture. She explores what the female gaze is and why it remains important.
Following the 2023 release of the film Oppenheimer, the US government’s ‘Manhattan Project’ has been brought back to the forefront of discussion. While this film posed the project, and the subsequent creation of Los Alamos in New Mexico, as an epic endeavor, Madeline Schroeder takes the opportunity to discuss its long-forgotten negative effects on the native community inhabiting the surrounding area.
Several political scientists and journalists claim that consolidated liberal democracies are in a process of decline. Sophia DelGaudio analyzes this decline through the lens of public sphere theory. She points out that the media system must not be “colonized” by economic interests, and that propaganda can hallow out democracies from within.
Should surrogacy count as a commodity that is legally bought and sold on markets? Paradoxically, markets for surrogacy both enable and undermine autonomy. They express respect for women’s self-ownership of their own bodies but also facilitate exploitation. Lauren Nehorai analyses and seeks resolving this ethical dilemma.
Black feminist theorist bell hooks criticizes the class- and race-based biases of middle- and upper-class white feminism. Mina Kohara, Caiden Cellak, and Noè Freiburghaus critically assess hooks’ historical legacy and modern relevance.
John Rawls has influenced contemporary Western political philosophy more than any other 20th century philosopher. Today his legacy is contested, however, as liberalism seems to be failing across many Western countries. Carolyn Franano, Matteo Perardi, and Fiona Fortunato discuss Rawls’ relevance from the perspectives of Critical Race Theory, Marxism, and Liberalism.
The reach and expansion of AI in our modern societies has put into question how we can control its influence. While the beauty of AI and its social connectivity lies in its inherent anonymity, this character makes it difficult to control for governments worldwide. Research’s at Stockholm University and UNESCO discuss the ethical and political implication that AI’s integration has posed for modern legislative bodies. The one thing that remains undeniable is the need for a balance between ethical and political contributions in determining a democratic governance of AI throughout modern societies.
In a world gripped by ever increasingly vast wealth gaps between the rich and the poor, it becomes critical to explore the origins of economic inequality if there is any hope at establishing a more just and fair society. This piece will shed light on the true global extent of this wealth gap today while also reflecting on key concepts raised in Rousseau’s Second Discourse to better understand the roots of wealth inequality and the dire consequences it has on freedom and democracy.
Is there a human right to democracy? A lack of protection of human rights at the international level is worrying and solutions such as transnational institutions that protect human rights may cause democratic deficit and harm the stability of democracy. Recognizing that democracy does promote respect for human rights, this essay will explore if democracy is necessary and what it entails for democracy and human rights to be imposed jointly on nations across the globe.
The importance of symbols and incorporation in constructing identity.
With the rapid development of supercomputers and artificial intelligence, it is natural that the possibility of our consciousness being simulated has become a popular theme in media and academia. How might we understand our own perceptions within these hypothesized simulations, and would we ever be capable of noticing clues that our lives are computer-generated?
What to watch on Netflix to further understanding of the importance of a college education for incarcerated people.
Cyberspace is increasingly relevant as both an adjunct and competitor to our analogue reality—especially in the context of our atomized pandemic existence—and while it exploits, it also offers a space for criticism, imagination, and restorative practice.
Tracing the origins of true crime media and America’s fascination with gore leads to an early form of violent storytelling: murder ballads
NASA, an American pride, led by former Nazis post-WW2? Operation Paperclip was an initiative to bring Nazi Scientists to the US, so the US could win the Space Race. As a Jewish individual, Savie comments on this situation and reflects on her Jewish identity.
The use of art to make a political statement has become more pertinent when understanding violence in the 20th and 21st centuries.
What does the pandemic mean for Paris’ houseless population? Mary reflects on her time volunteering with Serve the City Paris.
