All in Politics

Unfulfilled Promises: The Shortcomings of the ICC in Pursuing Global Justice

Unfulfilled Promises: The Shortcomings of the ICC in Pursuing Global Justice

Chantal Pangula
Political Process, Politics, Public Policy

As the list of countries haunted by genocides and war crimes grows—Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to name but a few—the notion of justice becomes increasingly translucent, mirroring the institutions that are supposed to champion it. With the International Court of Justice (ICJ) capturing headlines for South Africa's legal Case against Israel, we need to scrutinize another key player in the arena of international law: the International Criminal Court (ICC). This institution is tasked with bringing individuals to account for their roles in war crimes. Yet, as we delve deeper, we find the reality is often as ambiguous as the concept of justice itself, revealing a fine line between the idealistic pursuit of accountability and the practical challenges it faces. This situation demands a closer look at the ICC's operational efficacy and the broader implications for global justice and accountability. 

Unraveling the Convoluted Yemen’s Civil Strife (2015-2022)

Unraveling the Convoluted Yemen’s Civil Strife (2015-2022)

Malik Muhammad Hamza
Politics

Yemen, a nation entangled in the throes of a relentless civil war since 2015, finds itself grappling with a myriad of historical, political, and economic complexities. The conflict has become one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, captivating international attention. In this exploration, we delve into the roots of this turmoil, dissecting its historical antecedents, examining geopolitical influences, and shedding light on the humanitarian toll it has exacted. Readers, in general, often have this misconception that this conflict is somewhat of a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran or that the civil war is fought on a sectarian front. This article, however, disapproves of that and attempts to ascertain that the civil war occurred due to historical marginalization in terms of political imbalance and economic inequality.

Winfield Scott: First Commanding General of the Union Army

Winfield Scott: First Commanding General of the Union Army

Thomas Mann
Politics

Who was early 19th century America’s greatest general? Some may say the generals who eventually became presidents like William Henry Harrison or Zachary Taylor, but both men have their issues: Harrison died a month into his presidency while Taylor was part of President James K. Polk’s plan to “possibly” spark a war with Mexico. In the early 19th century, America’s greatest general was central to many major conflicts; it was this experience that made him the first commanding general of Union forces. However, he only held the job for six months, ultimately leaving the post due to his age. If we’re to understand how one man—Winfield Scott—became so influential, we must examine his life.

How to be a Forgotten Hero

How to be a Forgotten Hero

Thomas Mann
Politics

While humans desire to control the perception of their legacies, history offers examples where external factors change their legacies unpredictably. One example is Herbert Hoover – the 31st President of the United States (1929 - 1933). Before the Great Depression, he was an American hero for his efforts of feeding war-torn Europe during the late 1910s and as the Commerce Secretary during the 1920s. However, President Hoover’s failed response to the Depression overshadows his legacy. To understand Hoover’s success and failure, we must thoroughly examine his life.

The Gilded Age Heretic

The Gilded Age Heretic

Thomas Mann
Politics

The Gilded Age is not known for its presidents. The chief executives from 1876 to 1896 saw themselves not as active leaders but as checks against, or in some cases enablers of, a corrupt Congress; this “light touch” leadership condemned most of them to obscurity beyond political history nerds. One exception is Grover Cleveland, America’s first nonconsecutive president. Gilded Age Democrats loved Cleveland during his first term for his fiscal responsibility; they also turned against him during his second term for the same reason. This culminated in the Democrats backing a presidential candidate who was the opposite of Cleveland. If we are to understand the party’s turning on Cleveland, we must examine his life.

How Do Personality Traits Influence Political Beliefs?

How Do Personality Traits Influence Political Beliefs?

Matthew Xiao
Politics

Have you ever wondered whether our personality traits play a significant role in shaping our political beliefs? Could it be that conservatives are more organized and reliable, while liberals are more intellectually curious and receptive to new experiences? And when it comes to sociability, empathy, or emotional stability, which side of the political spectrum tends to score higher? These intriguing questions invite us to explore the fascinating relationship between personality traits and political orientation. 

The Protecting Kids on Social Media Act and Age Verification

The Protecting Kids on Social Media Act and Age Verification

Cristina Ortiz
Politics, Public Policy

In an era of political polarization, a group of senators has joined forces in an effort to protect children online. As technology continues to advance and the digital world becomes increasingly pervasive in our lives, protecting our youngest users has become a priority for lawmakers. In response to increasing concerns over the influence social media has on children, four senators have proposed the Protecting Kids on Social Media Act of 2023. If this bill is passed, children under the age of 13 would be prohibited from using social media platforms unless their guardian provides consent. However, the efficacy of age verification is still a significant problem. The efficacy of age verification, or lack thereof, leads to questions from the opposition over the bill’s ability to protect our younger users from the dangers of social media. 

Diamonds and Mining are NOT a girl’s best friend!

Diamonds and Mining are NOT a girl’s best friend!

Giulianna Maselli
Politics

Engaging in a dialogue about gender and economics is not intuitive. Especially, when the main understanding of the economy is based on the global free market, production, and the idea of meritocracy, which leads us to think that this dialogue would be limited to subjects such as equal opportunities between women and men and/or parity; and would leave aside other gendered and economic relationships of domination that are more discrete, normalized, and violent, such as gendered socialization and imposed gender roles. However, the recent resurgence of socio-economic and gender inequalities, and how they are interwoven, has made a deeper exchange necessary. We observe the emergence of an intersectional reflection in both economic and gender terms, which challenges the unequal distribution of wealth, natural resources, and the sexual division of labor. 

A Seat at the Table

A Seat at the Table

Cerine Benayoune
Politics

If someone were to walk up to you today and tell you that electric shocks are being used on the disabled, you would perhaps think you had accidentally teleported back to the 1500s. Yet that is the reality we are living in currently. The Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC) is a behavioral school for children and adults with severe disabilities. It has been under scrutiny for decades due to its questionable methods, namely for its blatant and severe abuse of its students. The rap sheet is a mile long, with some cases even resulting in death. There was a 12-year-old who had the skin on his feet completely removed, a 22-year-old who died from a seizure after having his head locked between the legs of a staff member and being forced to put on a white noise helmet, children who were strapped down and shocked repeatedly for ‘offenses’ like stimming, crying, not waking up fast enough – the list goes on.

Load More