All in Political Process

The Wealth of U.S. Members of Congress: A Comprehensive Review

The Wealth of U.S. Members of Congress: A Comprehensive Review

Elsa Blease
Politics, Political Process

In a comprehensive study from the 115th Congress, the combined wealth of all members at that time amounted to at least $2.43 billion, marking a 20 percent increase compared to the preceding Congress. This growth occurred during a period when both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Standard & Poor’s 500 Index experienced gains of slightly under 10 percent. Furthermore, the median minimum net worth of today's senators and House members stood at $511,000 at the beginning of this Congress, reflecting a 16 percent rise over just two years. This figure is five times higher than the median net worth of an American household, estimated at $97,300 by the Federal Reserve in 2016 (Hawkings, 2018).

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. 

Polarization: Causes and Conflict in an Increasingly Divided Nation

Polarization: Causes and Conflict in an Increasingly Divided Nation

Julianna Hess
Political Theory, Political Process

If you live in the United States, polarization is a term you may have heard often regarding American politics. In politics, polarization refers to the large divide between American voters that puts them on opposite ends of the political spectrum. This divide reflects voters’ values and affects how voters perceive the opposing party, as well as how they are represented in Congress (Fiorina, Abrams, 2008). With the rift between Democrats and Republicans being bigger than it’s ever been, it can be difficult for democracy in the United States to function correctly, bringing consequences to policymakers and the American people. Polarization is a reality in American society today, that is caused by internal and external factors influencing Congressional decisions and American voting habits. These factors include characteristics of Congressional and political processes, the pressure to conform to partisan demands from both voters and legislatures, media presence, monetary support, and economic inequalities that hinder policymaking, social cohesion, and the accurate representation of American voters in Congress. Despite the many causes of polarization and the resulting hindrance to democracy, polarization can be diminished through the recognition of harmful partisan attitudes, and corrective action through governmental processes that encourage cooperation and compromise between parties. 

Can Democrats break the Historical Trend in the Midterms?

Can Democrats break the Historical Trend in the Midterms?

Keelan Jacques
Political Process

The trend shows that from the years 1934-2018, the President’s party has averaged a loss of 28 House seats and four Senate seats (Woolley, 2022). This average presents a considerable power shift and can make it more difficult for the ruling party to pass legislation in the second half of a four-year presidential term. The sitting President’s party has only gained seats in the House on three occasions and in the Senate on six (Woolley, 2022). This demonstrates the statistical unlikelihood of President Biden’s Democratic Party making gains or retaining the same number of seats it currently holds in the midterms. Biden will be hoping the Democratic Party can break the trend this year, but how are the midterms shaping up for the Democrats?

Constitutional Changes in Latin America: Political instability or Social Positive change?

Constitutional Changes in Latin America: Political instability or Social Positive change?

Mauricio Ramirez
Political Process

Since 1900, all Latin American countries have made drastic changes to their constitutions (Jstor, 2012). The idea of changing the constitution denotes a line of thought that assumes the previous regime was the problem and the only way to improve is to reimagine the government from the ground up. The rhetoric of presenting the new government on a messianic scale is very appealing for incoming Latin American governments, but how long can this be sustained? Where is the line that separates continuity from chaos? Changes in the constitution can create opportunities to bring the people's voices together and create a positive social impact. However, these changes have also proven to be the perfect opportunity for a "strong leader" to become the only voice that matters.