All in Political Theory

Understanding Terror: Terrorists, Their Motives, Their Rise, and Their Targets

Understanding Terror: Terrorists, Their Motives, Their Rise, and Their Targets

Jordan Armando Navarro
Political Theory

Terrorism is a monster the United States, along with the rest of the world, has been battling for decades. The United States declared its “War on Terror” in 2001, with the government investing heavily in counterterrorism programs. To this day, in multiple places around the world, the aches and scars of terrorism continue to linger. While this is a heavy topic, it is essential to understand terrorism and how it proliferates. From here, we will establish an understanding of terrorism, what drives people to align themselves with extremist and terrorist groups, a terrorist target audience, and what message they want to send.

The Origin of Philosophy and its Connection to Tyranny

The Origin of Philosophy and its Connection to Tyranny

Ryan Dulaney
Ethics, Political Theory

Philosophy is the framework of modern law and morality. It is the software that governs our minds. In its practice, we question the nature of our existence and glean timeless wisdom that is passed on through the ages. Classical Athens has been in ruins for millennia, but because of philosophy, Socrates lives forever.

This article will investigate the origin of philosophy and the conditions which surround its unique conception. First, it will cover the cultural preconditions necessary to allow for philosophy to have come into existence. Then, it will focus on how those preconditions manifested in early Europe. Finally, it will expand on how these preconditions allowed for the origin of philosophy in classical Greece and its various consequences. 

Understanding the Rise of Dictatorship: History, Tactics, and Citizen Awareness

Understanding the Rise of Dictatorship: History, Tactics, and Citizen Awareness

Jordan Armando Navarro
Current Events, Political Theory

Throughout human history, tyranny is always a constant threat that rears its ugly head from Hitler and the Nazis to Mussolini and his Brownshirts, to the plethora of dictators of the Roman Empire that fill the history books. With how often a dictator rises, it's good to know the warning signs of a dictatorship rising and what the average citizen in any country can do to prevent them from ever reaching power.

Confronting the Stolen Land Narrative

Confronting the Stolen Land Narrative

Ryan Dulaney
Political Theory, Politics

In the United States, the term “stolen land” is often used to describe the unjust colonization of the Americas by Europeans at the expense of indigenous tribes. This outlook on history implies that the land was the rightful property of the native peoples as an ethnic group, and that it was occupied by Europeans in an immoral way. 

The Perversion of Thought-Crime: Historical Revisionism, Nationalism, and Religious Divide in the Indian Subcontinent

The Perversion of Thought-Crime: Historical Revisionism, Nationalism, and Religious Divide in the Indian Subcontinent

Aleeza Mansoor
Politics, Political Theory

To many, the secession of the British Raj was a weight lifted off the shoulders of the residents of a newly independent subcontinent. The subjugation under English authority had long been considered entirely exhausted without the mutiny of its laborers laid out to dry under the same sun which baked the clay of their buildings. But the simmering warmth which once scorched the surface of the skin of India was beginning to emanate from underneath. Growing pressure surrounding the emergence of the Muslim bloc of Pakistan had already been faced with debates over its legitimacy, fueling the migration of 15 million across borders drawn by their former settlers. In a final attempt to secure authority in the Global North, the wardens of the Empire handed over their keys to what would soon become the new ruler of the South Asian psyche: separatism. As the dynamic between Pakistan and India continues to be barraged with statements of ‘conflict,’ ‘tensions,’ and ‘violence’ for the 77th year since their independence, the notion of peace has become increasingly difficult to conscribe, often by virtue of the difficulty of ascribing an antecedent dilemma. Responses from impassioned citizens will often give the impression that the archetypal Pandora’s box which has erupted into the social fabric of the diaspora today may very well be just that- an artifice constructed from the traumas of the Partition for those profiting and in charge. 

A Case for American Monarchy

A Case for American Monarchy

Ryan Dulaney
Political Theory

Today, King Charles III of England has both a crown and a palace; however, he is far from the source of the nation's power. He and his family's assets are, above all else, the leading attraction of a nation whose economy relies heavily on tourism. Charles is a monarch only in name; he is far from the executive decision-maker. This has been the case in England for centuries; the Windsors are Kardashians with crowns who have no power over the nation's policy. If crowns and palaces do not make a monarch, what does? Power. 

How Victory in the Mexican-American War Almost Caused the American Civil War

How Victory in the Mexican-American War Almost Caused the American Civil War

Thomas Mann
Political Theory

The Civil War is a central part of early American history. The bloodshed from 1861 to 1865 settled questions from the existence of slavery to federalism to economic issues. However, there were two earlier moments in the early 19th century when America could have descended into civil war, being prevented only through political skill, leadership, and sheer luck; this piece covers the second near miss - the Mexican-American War.

Revisiting the Concept of Hegemonic Masculinity and Adapting it to the Extractivist Context in Guatemala

Revisiting the Concept of Hegemonic Masculinity and Adapting it to the Extractivist Context in Guatemala

Giulianna Maselli
Political Theory

Thinking about gender relations, both in research and empirical investigation, through the concept of hegemonic masculinity, or even masculinities, is relatively new. Introduced into the field of academic and empirical gender research in the 1980s by the Australian sociologist Raewyn Connell, this concept has made it possible to consider, analyze and deconstruct relations of male-female domination and patriarchy from the male perspective. Hegemonic masculinity is defined by Connell in 1995 as "[not being] a fixed and unchanging personality type, but masculinity that is in a hegemonic position within a given structure of gender relations, a position that is always subject to challenge". She then goes on to define it as "that which guarantees (or is supposed to guarantee) the dominant position of men and the subordination of women." It thus designates a configuration of - mainly masculine - gender practice that maintains the disparity of power(s) between women and men in a given time and place; the dominant form of representation of masculinity in a given time and place.

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. 

Patriotism vs. Nationalism and Why it Matters

Patriotism vs. Nationalism and Why it Matters

Joshua Tran
Political Theory

According to a study from Brown and Stanford universities, the United States is polarizing faster than other developed democracies and is arguably more divided today than at any time in the past 40 years (Boxwell et al., 2021; DeSilver, 2022). Our view of the word patriotism has likewise become increasingly contentious. Though traditionally understood as affection for one’s country, many now mistake patriotism for its darker counterpart, nationalism, and vice versa; this can be attributed to the rhetoric of both major political parties. However, before we can understand the importance of, and difference between, patriotism and nationalism, we must examine their etymology.

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