The Idea Department

The Idea Department is a space for the discussion of politics, economics, global affairs, ethics, international relations, and related topics - brought to you by the staff and interns at Project Syndicate.

[theideadept-blog]

World rights groups say Jordan trying to censor online media

Has Jordan taken a step backwards in overcoming online media censorship? 

[theideadept-blog]

Four Marijuana Moments by Jorge G. Castañeda

Latin America and the United States have experienced what one could call a series of “marijuana moments” over the past few weeks. Given growing support for ending the senseless and bloody decades-long “war on drugs,” these signs of progress toward decriminalization and legalization should not pass unremarked.

Castaneda ponders why Obama has been so uninvolved in the decriminalization of marijauna, but sees decriminlization fast approaching.

Check out the article here: http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/the-coming-end-of-the-americas--war-on-drugs-by-jorge-g--casta-eda

[theideadept-blog]

Peter Singer, one of the world's most prominent ethicists, asks, "Is it always wrong to take an innocent human life?"

What do you think?

[theideadept-blog]

The Power of the Prize by Kandeh K. Yumkella

For centuries, governments have used prizes to spur innovative research that yields creative solutions to global challenges. Now the world needs the same kind of inspired leadership to address the twenty-first century's most pressing challenge: ensuring access to sustainable energy for all.

Take a look at Project-Syndicate!

[theideadept-blog]

Vladimir Putin’s Potemkin Love Life by Nina L. Khrushcheva

For years, rumors had persisted about the failed state of Putin’s marriage. But why did he he choose to announce publicly his divorce, with his wife of 29 years standing by his side – and why now?

What is your opinion on Putin's announcement to divorce his wife of 29 years? Does he have alterior motives or is he another example of a 'failed marriage?'

Read the article at Project-Syndicate and let us know your opinion.

[theideadept-blog]

Science, Heal Thyself by Arturo Casadevall

The scientific enterprise is under threat, as political forces, inadequate funding, and a perverse incentive structure undermine its credibility and hinder its progress. Applying the scientific method to these challenges could be science's best hope for reinvigorating the quest for transformative discoveries.

Cadadevall and Fang argue that the "perverse" incentive program for scientific exploration is damaging the credibility of science, altogether. In their article, they suggest a solution that would heal the field of science. 

Check out the article at Project-Syndicate to find out the solution. 

[theideadept-blog]

Austerity and Demoralization by Robert J. Shiller

Austerity, according to some of its promoters, is supposed to improve morale. But the kind of fiscal austerity that is being practiced now has the immediate effect of rendering people jobless and filling their lives with nothing but a sense of rejection and exclusion.

Supporters of austerity such as US Congressman, Paul Ryan, promote the idea of austerity to improve morale. However, professor and author, Robert J. Shiller, argues otherwise. He discusses why employers should avoid ‘laying off’ employees, and should consider reducing the number of hours in the work week instead. 

Read his article at Project-Syndicate and tell us: Does austerity improve or weaken public morale?

[theideadept-blog]

Ms. Watanabe’s Profession by Yuriko Koike

Ms. Watanabe struggled to make it up the economic ladder. With much success, now she is posed with the question: To start a family and potentially give up her economic success or pursue being an officer for an exchange-listed company? In her article, Yuriko Koike writes,

"While productivity in Japanese factories is the highest in the world, owing to robots and other types of automation, the productivity of Japan’s white-collar workers is the lowest among OECD countries. This disparity, rooted in deep-seated inequality of employment opportunity for women, may now finally receive the attention it needs."

Curious to know what Ms.Watanabe chooses? Check out the article at Project-Syndicate

[theideadept-blog]

"Lives versus Profits"

In one of his latest featured articles, Nobel Laureate in economics and Professor Joseph E. Stiglitz discusses the recent United States Supreme Court case arguments concerning the issue of intellectual-property rights, specifically in terms of human genetic testing.

Intellectual-property rights are rules that we create – and that are supposed to improve social well-being. But unbalanced intellectual-property regimes result in inefficiencies – including monopoly profits and a failure to maximize the use of knowledge – that impede the pace of innovation.

His heated arguments discussing the domestic and global impacts of cases such as these are creating quite a stir over at Project-Syndicate. Go on over and check it out.

(Illustration by Paul Lachine)

[theideadept-blog]

Exaggerated fear of outside enemies has always been part of the American political landscape. The “nation of immigrants” was traditionally regarded as a refuge from danger. The evil outside world should not be able to touch the Land of the Free. When it does – Pearl Harbor, September 2001 – all hell breaks loose.

Professor and Author Ian Baruma on how the American government and other authorities respond to homegrown terrorism.

To read more, check out Ian's featured article "America's Enemy Within" over at Project-Syndicate.

[theideadept-blog]

Yes, that article title is correct. Before making an preconceived judgments, consider the topic and its author. President of the Council on Foreign Relations Richard N. Haass posits this situation with some controversial and critical statements.

...Like most temptations, the urge to gloat at America’s imperfections and struggles ought to be resisted. People around the globe should be careful what they wish for. America’s failure to deal with its internal challenges would come at a steep price. Indeed, the rest of the world’s stake in American success is nearly as large as that of the US itself.

For more of Haass's creative commentary, go on over to Project-Syndicate. Don't worry, America will still be here when you get back.

(Illustration by Paul Lachine)

[theideadept-blog]

"The Message from Boston"

As the United States continues to cope with the Boston marathon bombings, the first major attack on the country since 2001, Anne Marie-Slaughter discusses how the American reaction to these events has been dramatically altered since 9/11.

...Amid the shock and grief fueled by images of the bombing and the many victims with shattered, shredded limbs, Americans found at least a little bandwidth to comprehend that bombs are still a feature of daily life in Iraq and Syria. Today’s America is one that recognizes that it is not the world’s only country, and by no means the worst off.

Slaughter's critical analysis of the response of both the American public and media continues over at Project-Syndicate. 

(Illustration by Paul Lachine)

[theideadept-blog]

"Toward an Immunized World"

For a child, receiving a vaccine takes just a moment (and perhaps a few tears). But such moments are crucial for getting children off to a healthy start in life, and for advancing progress on global health and development goals.

Talk about a tag team. In one of Project-Syndicate's newest commentaries, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Gates Foundation Co-Chair Bill Gates discuss the positive impact vaccines and disease eradication can play in the development of low-income countries-- particularly for their children.

Intrigued by the debate on how to improve upon these global development goals (or if you just like the sound of Bill Gates' name)? Go on over to Project-Syndicate to read more of this great commentary and other similar opinions in the Visionary Voices Focal Point.

[theideadept-blog]

"Suffer the Children, Suffer the Country"

In his latest commentary, Special Adviser to the UN on the Millennium Development Goals Jeffrey D. Sachs analyzes the growing disparity between children in the United States and those from high income countries around the world. The results, he claims, are startling and should rattle the nerves of both parents and the American government.

For example:

American children suffer far more from low birth weight (a major danger signal for later life); being overweight at ages 11, 13, and 15; and very high rates of teenage fertility. There are around 35 births for every 1,000 girls aged 15-19, compared to fewer than ten per thousand in the northern European countries.

Want more? Check out more of Sachs over at Project Syndicate.

(Illustration by Chris Van Es)

[theideadept-blog]

China's Dream World

Chinese President Xi Jinping has spent the past few months trying to reform the image of his government as less autocratic and more dedicated to achieving social justice. In order to do, he's rolled out a simple, new slogan: "China Dream."

Professor Minxin Pei comments on why this new found dream won't last long.

Press censorship, repression of dissent, and the absence of organized opposition allow autocratic rulers everywhere to promise whatever they want, with no political consequences for failing to deliver. China has perfected this form of government over the last decade, as President Xi Jinping's first months in power have shown.

Interested in learning what else Pei has to say about the potential for a complete Chinese agenda overhaul? Check out the article over at Project-Syndicate.

[theideadept-blog]

It's safe to say that tensions have been pretty high in the Korean Peninsula and East Asia for the past month. There has been plenty of criticism from many of the leading global powers, but none more stinging than that from North Korea's closest ally, China.

Professor Zhu Feng further discusses the "open disgust" that China holds towards the country, and how China will analyze and determine which actions to next take in the growing nuclear conflict.

For China, the Kim regime’s survival can be assured only if it follows China’s lead in reforming and opening up. But, faced with South Korea’s shining democracy and booming economy, the Chinese model is irrelevant to the North: following it would mean acknowledging the South’s supremacy on the Korean Peninsula, and thus an instant loss of legitimacy.

For more from Feng on this Chinese dilemma, read on at Project-Syndicate.

(Illustration by Paul Lachine)

[theideadept-blog]

Climate Change-- two words that have become a (literally) hot topic in the past decade due to melting glaciers, violent natural disasters and massively irregular weather patterns. For these reasons, EU Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard adds some natural fuel to these debates by offering her impression on how the world's leading financial institutions have failed in terms of funding new resources and sustainable energy projects.

...We are doing exactly the opposite of what we should be doing. Support for energy efficiency and renewable energy sources is lagging, while governments around the world spend hundreds of billions of dollars subsidizing an incipient catastrophe. This must change.

Read more of Hedegaard and her argument for a more progressive environmental agenda over at Project-Syndicate.

(Illustration by Paul Lachine)