Editorial Content — Carolina Political Review

Carolina's Premier Undergraduate Political Affairs Journal

Posts in Editor's Picks

North Carolina Public Schools See a Disconcerting Prevalence of Calls for Literary Censorship

North Carolina Public Schools See a Disconcerting Prevalence of Calls for Literary Censorship

“Janice Robinson, the North Carolina director for Red, Wine, and Blue, an Ohio-based organization that supports local moms and seeks to prevent book bans, believes that the concerns about explicit material are ‘just a smokescreen for the anti-CRT.’ What book bans are actually doing, claims Ms. Robinson, is allowing the "right wing" to push "their political agenda at the expense of our kids," as they are unable to use literature to encounter uncomfortable experiences of those outside their community, which would prepare them for life beyond the classroom.”

Local, Editor's PicksJacob WrightMarch 9, 2022NC Education, Censorship, Books, NCPOL, Editor's PickComment

The U.S. Military-Industrial Complex: The True Victors of War

The U.S. Military-Industrial Complex: The True Victors of War

“Traditionally, all levels of society, from political leaders to the general population, face some set of sacrifices or risks in fighting another country. Arms dealers have emerged as a noteworthy exception to this paradigm, though, as they only profit from violence or defense. They exist in a position removed from the government yet have the power and funds to push desired legislation. Whether one agrees with the predominance of the military-industrial complex or not, their growing influence will likely lead to increased militarism and armed defense both in the United States and the rest of the globe.”

National, Editor's PicksJohn PowersMarch 7, 2022Military, Economy, Cold War, Arms Race, Editor's PickComment

Centuries of Ahmaud Arberys: The History of Race-Induced Hate Crimes in America

Centuries of Ahmaud Arberys: The History of Race-Induced Hate Crimes in America

“Derek Johnson asserted that Ahmaud Arbery’s story “shook the conscience of our nation and world.” Shake the world it did, as audiences watched in horror at the vicious confiscation of Arbery’s life by vigilantes disguised as neighbors. Buried within the pages of history are thousands of other Ahmaud Arberys; nameless victims of malicious assaults on humanity. Their deaths may not be digitized and ingrained in our minds like Ahamud’s, but their memories should nonetheless impel an upheaval of bigoted culture in America and the reconstruction of one less rooted in malevolency.”

Editor's Picks, Essays, NationalJustin GoldmanMarch 1, 2022Criminal Justice, Race Relations, Race, white supremacy, Editor's PickComment

Environmental Justice in North Carolina: Cooper’s Executive Order and Winston-Salem’s Fertilizer Plant Fire

Environmental Justice in North Carolina: Cooper’s Executive Order and Winston-Salem’s Fertilizer Plant Fire

“On January 7, 2022, Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 246, titled ‘North Carolina’s Transformation to a Clean, Equitable Economy,’ and on January 31, 2022, when the Winston Weaver Co. fertilizer plant in Winston-Salem caught fire, creating the possibility of one of the worst explosions in US history due to the 600 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate inside.”

Editor's Picks, LocalNing SoongFebruary 20, 2022Climate Change, Environmental Politics, Environmental Racism, Winston Salem, Natural Disaster, NCPOL, Editor's PickComment

In the Streets of Buenos Aires: Protests Against the IMF

In the Streets of Buenos Aires: Protests Against the IMF

“Thousands of Argentinians have taken to the streets of Buenos Aires to protest a new deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The deal is meant to help Argentina repay roughly $45 billion in IMF loans by deferring debt payments dates in exchange for Argentina’s agreement to meet IMF-specified economic targets, specifically reducing their fiscal deficit and limiting spending.”

Global, Editor's PicksJacob HoechsterFebruary 20, 2022Global, International Relations, IMF, International Development, Argentina, Latin America, South America, Inflation, Debt, Editor's PickComment

13 U.S. States Back Mexican Lawsuit, Blame Gun Companies for Exporting Violence

13 U.S. States Back Mexican Lawsuit, Blame Gun Companies for Exporting Violence

“The lawsuit comes amid a decades-long drug war that has claimed the lives of over 150,000 Mexicans, many of them shot dead by traffickers armed with U.S.-made guns. Mexico’s stringent gun laws ban virtually all firearm sales, so the cartels rely on stolen and foreign weapons to wage war on rivals and the authorities.”

Editor's Picks, GlobalJonathan OsborneFebruary 14, 2022Mexico, Gun Laws, Cartel, International Relations, Lawsuit, Editor's PickComment

UNC Takes Center Stage in Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Case

UNC Takes Center Stage in Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Case

“With these replacements, the Court is now a 6-3 conservative-liberal split, which is consequential as conservatives are more likely to find affirmative action unconstitutional. It is also a disturbing sign that the Court is taking a case for which the precedent involved was affirmed just six years ago.”

Editor's Picks, LocalJacob WrightFebruary 8, 2022UNC, Admisstions, Supreme CourtComment

Simulacrum and Cynicism: How New Media Shapes Political Discourse

Simulacrum and Cynicism: How New Media Shapes Political Discourse

“Competition pressures from the increasingly crowded infotainment genre force shows to progressively lower their level of political discourse, relying increasingly on elements like conflict, sensationalization, and humor in an attempt to attract and retain this new class of viewers. This “race to the bottom” of overly simplistic political discourse driven by new political media’s incentives is still amplified by the incentives of the politicians using the mediums to engage the public.”

Editor's Picks, NationalCole MurphyJanuary 31, 2022News, Media, Social, Social Media, Polarization, Editor's PickComment

America Ranks Lowest in Media Trust in Recent Reuters Report

America Ranks Lowest in Media Trust in Recent Reuters Report

“A recent report from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University found that the United States has the lowest level of overall trust in the news among those 46 countries surveyed. What is the problem and how can American institutions solve it?”

Editor's Picks, NationalNoah GottliebNovember 29, 2021Media, Social Media, United States of America, Polarization, Editor's PickComment

Sickouts Reveal a Larger School Staff Shortage Issue

Sickouts Reveal a Larger School Staff Shortage Issue

“Kids are only in school once, and these beginning years are formative in them becoming capable and functioning adults. In fact, the education that staffing shortages are robbing kids of is considered so fundamental that the North Carolina Constitution recognizes that "the people have a right to the privilege of education.”

Editor's Picks, LocalJacob WrightNovember 29, 2021NC Education, NCPOL, State Budget, Minimum Wage, Labor, Education, Editor's PickComment

University of North Carolina’s Institute of Politics Holds Senate Town Hall

University of North Carolina’s Institute of Politics Holds Senate Town Hall

“On November 9th, the UNC’s Institute of Politics hosted a town hall meeting for the upcoming 2022 Senate Race in North Carolina. In attendance for the Democratic Party were State Senator Jeff Jackson — the front-runner of the group — former State Senator Erica Smith, Dr. Tobias LaGrone, and Dr. Richard Watkins, who just recently announced his exit from the Senate race in order to run for North Carolina’s 6th Congressional District. Jen Banwart was the lone Republican of the group, showing a certain level of bravery by bringing conservative views into an environment dominated by young, left-leaning college students.”

Editor's Picks, NationalEvan TarrNovember 22, 2021NCPOL, Senate, US Senate, 2022, 2022 Elections, Editor's PickComment

Can Crypto Save Democracy?

Can Crypto Save Democracy?

“To Srinivasan, cryptographic technologies are an integral development for societal organization and humanity at large. Maintaining that technology is civilization’s true prevailing force, he sees the emergence and growing adoption of cryptocurrency and the underlying blockchain as the cumulation of the very trends of decentralization that can be attributed to the nation-state’s decay.”

Editor's Picks, NationalCole MurphyNovember 16, 2021Editor's Pick, Crypto, DemocracyComment

State Corruption Threatens to Impede South Africa’s Transition to Renewable

State Corruption Threatens to Impede South Africa’s Transition to Renewable

“South Africa’s $8.5 billion funding package represents a pivotal rejection against climate inaction. Lethargy may be a political opiate, but the passion at the COP26 proves one notable fact: 2022 is not the year to cry alligator tears. But, caught up in fervency, policymakers may forget that political intricacies and the normalization of corporate corruption can hinder their lofty goals.”

Editor's Picks, GlobalMichelle LiuNovember 14, 2021Climate Change, Foreign Policy, South Africa, COP26, Editor's PickComment

Exclusive Interview: US Sentate Candidate Jeff Jackson

“Jeff Jackson: current state senator, major in the Army National Guard, UNC-Chapel Hill Law school alum, and most recently one of the two main Democratic candidates vying for the United States Senate seat, vacated by the retiring Richard Burr, paid “the Pit” a visit last week as part of his statewide college town hall tour. In his town hall, last week, Jackson addressed a crowd of around 500, comprised primarily of UNC-Chapel Hill students. Jackson touched on gerrymandering, climate change, the rural-urban divide, criminal justice reform, mental health, and the increasing permeance of politics in public schools, in his introductory address and answered students’ questions afterwards.”

Interviews, Local, Editor's PicksRishi AilaNovember 8, 2021Senate, NCPOL, InterviewComment

COVID Vaccines: A New Way to Observe Global Inequality?

COVID Vaccines: A New Way to Observe Global Inequality?

“As the wealthy in the West see a decline in COVID cases, those in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Americas see a continuous rise. While wealthy nations begin to move towards a future of a more manageable existence with COVID, suffering in the Global South persists. Anger from leaders and citizens in the Global South towards inequality are beginning to rise with the numbers of deaths and cases.”

Editor's Picks, GlobalHannah GarnerNovember 7, 2021COVID-19, Vaccines, Global Health, Inequality, International Relations, Editor's PickComment

Duterte’s Shadow Looms Large Over Philippine’s Election

Duterte’s Shadow Looms Large Over Philippine’s Election

“As President Duterte prepares to step down after this term, the shadow of his legacy and the War on Drugs looms large over the 2022 general elections. Many voters hope that the power of the ballot box will eradicate the President's harsh policies, but his legacy appears entrenched due to broad popularity and political patronage.”

Editor's Picks, GlobalMichelle LiuOctober 24, 2021Phillipines, Authoritarianism, Dictatorship, Foreign Policy, Editor's PickComment

NC Supreme Court Faces Questions Over Gerrymandering, Referenda, and Recusals.

NC Supreme Court Faces Questions Over Gerrymandering, Referenda, and Recusals.

“NAACP v. Moore could have long-term ramifications for North Carolina’s legislative and judicial landscapes, as it tackles questions on the General Assembly’s authority to pass referenda and judges’ discretion to recuse themselves from cases.”

Local, Editor's PicksNing SoongOctober 18, 2021NCPOL, State Supreme Court, Gerrymandering, General Assembly, NCGA, Editor's PickComment

UNESCO’S Heritage List: Rumba and the Congo

UNESCO’S Heritage List: Rumba and the Congo

“Culture and art’s role in social movements is just one of the many reasons why recognizing, protecting, and learning about cultural practices and sites around the globe are important. There are a variety of potential reasons why a country may want an aspect of their culture showcased and protected as culture encapsulates society and history.”

Culture, Global, Editor's PicksHannah GarnerOctober 17, 2021UNESCO, Congo, Dance, Culture, Editor's PickComment

Dispute Over Biogas Facilities in Eastern N.C. Reveals a History of Discrimination with Broader Implications in the Fight Against Global Warming

Dispute Over Biogas Facilities in Eastern N.C. Reveals a History of Discrimination with Broader Implications in the Fight Against Global Warming

“The dispute currently playing out is no isolated incident, but rather the most recent episode in a decades-long fight against a discriminatory system that speaks to broader questions about who bears the burden of ecological crises and the fight against climate change.”

Local, Editor's PicksCole MurphyOctober 12, 2021Agriculture, North Carolina, Environmental Politics, Environmental Racism, Education, Editor's PickComment