The Pardon Problem

The president’s power to pardon has been enshrined in the Constitution ever since it was first ratified at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Among the convention’s Framers, it was Alexander Hamilton who argued most fervently for the existence of pardon powers. Hamilton argued in Federalist 74 that the president’s ability to grant clemency and pardons […]

Geopolitically Fickle States and the Liberal International Order

In the coming decades, there are a handful of states that could realistically align themselves with either the liberal-democratic international order—a system of international relations defined by adherence to international law, open and liberal free trade, and belief in the natural rights of human beings—or today’s autocracies. Such geopolitically fickle states hesitate to commit themselves […]

Xylazine: An Undercover Antagonist in the Opioid Crisis

Xylazine, more commonly known as “tranq,” is a strong sedative that has been approved for veterinary use. Because xylazine is intended exclusively for veterinary use, its adverse effects on humans are not taken into consideration from a regulatory standpoint, putting users at risk. Its unique danger arises from its undetectability, as it’s not classified as […]

Young, Divided, and Disillusioned: The Gender Gap Reshaping US Politics

The results of the 2024 election revealed an interesting new phenomenon: young men have become increasingly conservative while young women have become increasingly liberal. Despite general sentiments that younger generations have more progressive views, a different reality has slapped women across the face. 53 percent of men aged 18 to 29 voted for Donald Trump, […]

The 2016 and 2024 Election Results Reveal a Dangerous Truth About America

Shortly after the results of the 2016 election were finalized, Saturday Night Live (SNL) parodied the typical election watch-party. The skit depicts White, liberal voters gathered together, confident in the election of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton as the United States’ first female president. Their optimism parallelled the skepticism of comedian guests Dave Chapelle and Chris […]

The Rise of Authoritarian Populism

There’s no denying that the tendrils of authoritarian populism have been slowly strengthening their grip on the political institutions of democratic countries all over the world. Freedom House’s 2021 “Freedom in the World” report documented a sharp acceleration in the global decline of democracy since 2020, and found that the share of countries identified as […]