All in Public Policy

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. 

Optimization and Modeling Strategies for Efficient and Sustainable Transportation Networks

Optimization and Modeling Strategies for Efficient and Sustainable Transportation Networks

Karnik Aswani
Public Policy

Transportation engineering is a crucial field that involves the planning, design, operation, and maintenance of transportation networks. These networks are systems of interconnected facilities that allow for the movement of people, goods, and vehicles from one place to another. Transportation engineers work daily to implement and design efficient transportation networks that are safe for the public and protect the environment. There are various types of transportation networks, including highway, rail, air transportation, maritime transportation, intermodal transportation, and urban transportation networks. These networks play a significant role in the economy by facilitating the movement of goods and people and connecting businesses and individuals to markets, opportunities, and services. 

Monkey Business: The Scopes Trial of 1925

Monkey Business: The Scopes Trial of 1925

Kathryn Erickson
Public Policy

The 1920s marked a period of great social and technological change within American culture. Following the end of World War I and decades of industrialization, the country experienced an economic boom and rapid industrialization. Innovations such as the radio and automobiles flooded the market, as factories shifted towards mass production. Due to the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, women were now allowed to vote and take a greater role in the political scene. America was quickly becoming a center of opportunity as immigration rates increased substantially, leading to urbanization in big cities. On the other hand, tensions were rising in rural areas, often populated by religious fundamentalists. They saw the changes occurring in large cities as a sign of America’s moral decline (Greenburg, 1983). What was most alarming to them, however, was the topic of evolution which directly contradicted the idea that human beings were created by God. Evangelical leaders pushed for legislation that would outlaw the teaching of evolution in schools. This moral and societal divide would come to a head in the small town of Dayton, Tennessee in 1925. The Scopes Trial, often referred to as the Scopes Monkey Trial, was a symbol of the clash between urban secularism and rural traditionalism within American society in the early 20th century. 

When a President Fought the Nation’s Financial System

When a President Fought the Nation’s Financial System

Thomas Mann
Public Policy

American presidents have personal rivalries; sometimes these feuds are hidden from the public while others spill out for all to see. Most presidents don’t attack the nation’s finance department because of the enormous political and monetary blowback. However, Andrew Jackson was one American president who did challenge the nation’s finance department and won—at a high price. There are three things one needs to understand about this Bank War: Jackson, the bank he fought against, and the feud’s effects on the nation. Let’s begin with Jackson.

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. 

Economics of Immigration in the USA

Economics of Immigration in the USA

Karnik Aswani
Public Policy

Immigration is a hotly debated issue for many countries around the world, however, there is ongoing research being conducted to understand the economic implications of immigration across various countries. Studies on the economic effects of immigration have examined a range of issues, including the impact of immigration on wages, employment, and productivity, as well as the fiscal impact of immigration on government budgets. In addition, researchers have explored the social and political consequences of immigration, such as the effects of immigration on social cohesion, political participation, and public opinion. Understanding the economic effects of immigration in different countries is important for policymakers and researchers who seek to design effective immigration policies and programs that benefit both immigrants and host societies.

American Turm-Oil

American Turm-Oil

Rhys Donnelly
Public Policy

There is no question that the United States is currently facing numerous problems, one of the largest being oil. It’s difficult to decipher what exactly the Biden Administration is planning considering some of their contradictory statements and actions, however, looking at how events transpired chronologically through a timeline helps illustrate how the oil crisis came to be, its economic impact, and some potential solutions.

Latin American Immigration to America: An Endless Firestorm

Latin American Immigration to America: An Endless Firestorm

Ariel Siton
Public Policy

In the United States, as in other countries, immigration is the subject of intense public debate. Disagreements persist on many components of policy, including levels of enforcement, treatment of entrants to the destination country, and levels of acceptable immigration, notably by quotas. However, what is perhaps most unique about the United States immigration system, and the way that debates surrounding it are structured, is the extent to which immigrants are viewed in extremes.

Ethiopia Industrial Policies Part 2: Importance of Private Entrepreneurship in Export-Oriented Strategies

Ethiopia Industrial Policies Part 2: Importance of Private Entrepreneurship in Export-Oriented Strategies

Vincent Z. Yu
Public Policy

In part 1 of our discussion, we talked about how import-substituting strategies have their unique and crucial contributions to the progress of a developing country, like Ethiopia. Domestic control over far-reaching input capital goods, such as cement, metal, natural resources, etc. provides robust support to virtually all other industries. Contrary to import-substituting policies, export-oriented ones provide fast rides to advanced technologies, mature management, and a larger market, though at a high cost of local control and path certainty.

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