Pacific Standard » Politics

Egypt’s Presidency Is Not for the Faint-hearted

Nivien Saleh — Wed, 23 May 2012 05:43:38 +0000

International studies professor Nivien Saleh, author of Third World Citizens and the Information Technology Revolution, outlines the gantlet of challenges the prospective new president of Egypt will face in ruling a country emerging from a popular revolution.

Egypt’s Presidency Is Not for the Faint-hearted On Pacific Standard -

Burma’s Redemption More Domestic Than Imported

Marc Herman — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:00:10 +0000

Burma's gradual return to international good grace is probably more a case of homegrown changes than a result of economic sanctions, argues one influential analyst.

Burma’s Redemption More Domestic Than Imported On Pacific Standard -

Did Shoddy Editing Enable American Torture?

Michael Fitzgerald — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:51:23 +0000

Did Shoddy Editing Enable American Torture? On Pacific Standard -

Why Obama Is Looking West

Bruce Cumings — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:19:26 +0000

The nations that ring the Pacific have half the world's consumers, half the world’s trade, and half the global GDP. No wonder the administration is quietly shifting its policies westward.

Why Obama Is Looking West On Pacific Standard -

China’s Accidental Spies

David Axe — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 23:10:37 +0000

Is an unassuming group of Chinese bloggers who are obsessed with military hardware doing the Pentagon’s work? Or Beijing’s?

China’s Accidental Spies On Pacific Standard -

Should the U.S. Govern Lagos? Dhaka? Kinshasa?

Lindsey McCormack — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 11:00:14 +0000

A new book argues that the growing megacities like Lagos and Dhaka — with their massive suffering and chaos — are breeding grounds for epidemics and worldwide terrorism. And maybe its time for the U.S., and other developed nations, to intervene.

Should the U.S. Govern Lagos? Dhaka? Kinshasa? On Pacific Standard -

The Death Penalty on Life Support

Vince Beiser — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:54:47 +0000

Forty years ago, Americans’ moral qualms almost ended the death penalty. Now we’re abandoning it again — but not because we object to executions.

The Death Penalty on Life Support On Pacific Standard -

Not Twitter Revolutions, But Twitter-Assisted Revolutions

Emily Badger — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 17:29:23 +0000

Despite the fervent hopes of its boosters, the Internet by its lonesome doesn’t drive democratic change, but it can reinforce existing impulses.

Not Twitter Revolutions, But Twitter-Assisted Revolutions On Pacific Standard -

Can Compulsory Service Reunite the Nation?

Jeff Shear — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:19:14 +0000

An off comment by a conservative pundit has reignited the idea of having young Americans do a stint of service for their nation.

Can Compulsory Service Reunite the Nation? On Pacific Standard -

Is Conservatism Our Default Ideology?

Tom Jacobs — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:00:51 +0000

New research provides evidence that, when under time pressure or otherwise cognitively impaired, people are more likely to express conservative views.

Is Conservatism Our Default Ideology? On Pacific Standard -

WikiLeaks Has Not Ushered in New Era of Transparency

Emily Badger — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:30:31 +0000

Legal scholar Alasdair Roberts argues that any changes in government transparency wrought by the hordes of data revealed by WikiLeaks is more evolutionary than revolutionary.

WikiLeaks Has Not Ushered in New Era of Transparency On Pacific Standard -

Talmud, Internet Unlock James Madison

Emily Badger — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:54:55 +0000

Combing elements of Talmudic debate and modern possibilities of crowdsourcing, scholars are taking a new look at one of the ignored building blocks of the U.S. Constitution.

Talmud, Internet Unlock James Madison On Pacific Standard -

Spotting Election Fraud Gets Smarter, Cheaper

Emily Badger — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:16:43 +0000

A push from USAID to cut costs and develop better solutions to international problems produces a more effective way to monitor elections.

Spotting Election Fraud Gets Smarter, Cheaper On Pacific Standard -

Great Debate: Will Politicians Answer the Question?

Emily Badger — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 22:31:04 +0000

American political campaigners are primed to deliver talking points regardless of the question they’ve actually been asked. Two professors offer tips for more on-target debates going forward.

Great Debate: Will Politicians Answer the Question? On Pacific Standard -

Was Sarah Palin’s Image Hurt By Tina Fey? You Betcha!

Tom Jacobs — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 22:18:58 +0000

New research suggests exposure to Tina Fey's impersonation of Sarah Palin in 2008 lowered voters' opinion of the candidate.

Was Sarah Palin’s Image Hurt By Tina Fey? You Betcha! On Pacific Standard -