MPSL VLog: Establishment Clause

How should religious politicians reconcile their world view with the principle of separation of church and state?  Professor Gaffaney explains.

Weekly Quiz: Test Yourself on this Week’s Events

The weekly quiz is now live in Mypoliscilab. Good luck!

Weekly Poll: Your Opinion On Job Creation

Speaking at the annual Federal Reserve Board conference, Chairman Bernanke urged Congress and the White House to do more to create jobs, cut taxes and increase federal spending in order to bolster economic recovery. What do you think?

Daily Show: The Correspondents Explain The Two-Party System

The two-party system is all about choosing the candidate you’re less in hate with — unless somebody’s wealthy grandpa ruins that.

Daily Show: The Correspondents Explain The Two…, posted with vodpod

Video Glossary: Primary Elections

Japan’s China Syndrome

China Syndrome describes a situation after a nuclear meltdown when the core components of a nuclear reactor burn through the rector itself into the earth, then notionally through the crust and body of the Earth until it reaches China. Core components’ burning all the way to China is complete hyperbole but the highly radioactive core components will reach the ground water contaminating water supplies for hundreds of generations. It is now believed that the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan, which experienced a catastrophic meltdown following a record 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami on 11 March 2011, is now

A nations energy policy refers to the governmental plan of action regarding the issues of energy production, distribution, supply and consumption.This catastrophe raises serious questions concerning energy policy in the U.S. and the use of nuclear power plants to meet energy needs.  Mark Benjamin posted a blog concerning the Obama administration commitment to nuclear power despite the event taking place in Japan.  However, should nuclear energy be abandoned considering the recent events in Japan?

–TERRANCE MULLINS

MPSL VLog: Sweet Home Alabama — Not Without Papers

Alabama passed draconian immigration policy designed to deport illegal immigrants. To what extent can a state legislate policy about immigration, which is traditionally part of the federal government’s purview? Professor Gaffaney explains.

“Republican” Forms of Government & the U.S.

Article IV of the U.S. Constitution guarantees to every state a Republican form of government.  Unfortunately, the Constitution does not define or explain what is meant by the term.  What we do know is that the Framers were not using the term in any way as a reference to the Republican Party of today (the Republican Party was formed in the middle of the 19^th century and the Constitution was ratified in the late 18^th century).  Understanding the reference to a Republican form of government is important to the overall discussion of democracy in the United States and around the world and merits a closer look.

 Some believe that the answer is to be found in the writings of various Framers; or in the pages of the Federalist Papers.  Others believe the matter has been resolved by the courts or by various acts of Congress over the years.  In reality, the term continues in popular and academic circles without a definite understanding.  Generally speaking, “republicanism” provides an alternative to monarchies, dictatorships, and other forms of non-democratic government.  There appears to be widespread agreement on the role that representation plays in republics if by representation we mean that legitimate government power is based on the consent of the governed.  There is also widespread agreement that republican forms of government provide an alternative to forms of direct democracy (government that allows for citizens to directly make laws without the participation of elected or otherwise empowered officials).  This latter point raises some questions; for example, what do we say about governments based on the decisions of elected representatives that also allow for initiatives, propositions, referendums and other direct forms of participation?  Are such governments “republican” as far as the Constitution is concerned?

For a different take on the meaning of a republican form of government read Tim Heald’s piece in the Telegraph.  Republican forms of government abound throughout the world.  How does our’s compare.

–DENNIS FALCON

Weekly Quiz: Test Yourself on this Week’s Events

The weekly quiz is now live in Mypoliscilab. Good luck!

Weekly Poll: Your Opinion on Congress in August Break

Some of President Obama’s critics have suggested that he should call members of Congress back to Washington to continue working to fix the economy instead of taking the usual August break. What do you think?