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Ideas and Issues
An examination of the news and issues, politics, policies, and laws that matter to us all.
![](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/zCKf24SqlODNLWiefvgLn_YS2ik=/360x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/tax2_image_issues-58a22d1468a0972917bfb54a.png)
![IMF members pose for a photograph April 22, 2017 at the IMF Headquarters in Washington, DC.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/bajJPDE_Uv0hEzfRUeRmezmGbMs=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-671519300-e1ecfe47b0734333a9ac17eb46f6f398.jpg)
The International Monetary Fund
![A doctor working with 'Doctors Without Borders' at a hospital in Sri Lanka.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/e34PAg_U7dQRzKodd-63a2xhI-k=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-186776277-6b9b844ffb454426830584b6243696fe.jpg)
What Are Non-State Actors?
![A picture of a book with sovereign immunity written on the front cover together with a gavel and block and a pair of glasses.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/Kyd1h98r6_nyJRKEzX_qIXRg-Us=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/sovereign-immunity-174c666a4b62411181230f510a1ba750.jpg)
What Is Sovereign Immunity? Definition and Examples
![A referee hands out a red card to a soccer player](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/QR8nZWC70h6exSolYKfUmcZgdlI=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-523511542-56d1d8b6a6734490a4c99a41ec6460c6.jpg)
What Is Retributive Justice?
![Small group standing out from the majority.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/EnAdlKHLJheUM2cUW1uPt297f_o=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-1172129059-afe87f6ca97d463bb37777a03633406d.jpg)
What Is Majoritarianism? Definition and Examples
![Rotary Club member administers the oral polio vaccine to children from a slum in Dhaka April 23, 2000, during the Polio National Immunization Day in Bangladesh.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/BrPIC_n9895IKptE8jJsV7AvDoc=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-664704-9a8b450d21db4e168d413779280de04d.jpg)
Civil Society: Definition and Theory
![The Dictionary definition of the word âreparation.â](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/Yn2kSeXHEDEnznQZRSE9g5GSo-0=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-1318498070-7e48bc766997450d84f0f52162779999.jpg)
What Is Restorative Justice?
![Illustration of the four "pillars" of procedural justice, depicted as literal pillars](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/75wL1kjxJpbxA5QcNult-_46WbU=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/TC_four_pillars_of_procedural_justice_final-d36dbc3791654504995fd5333a115d58.jpg)
What Is Procedural Justice?
![People reaching for equal slices of cake.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/S8-XyFLhV6N4wKtND4rgUqAbugk=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-72983838-4835e63c7e0a4bd48f7564cd3be70d1f.jpg)
What Is Distributive Justice?
![Male nurse and women giving support to a senior man in doing walking exercise with walker during rehabilitation.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/_gGJO5Qd-f2o_sK5Rsbpf8PwFkM=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-1166090375-b0109222170c40f2ba939c79fc2842b1.jpg)
What Is Social Insurance? Definition and Examples
![Flag for the Scottish National Party, a regionalist and Scottish nationalist party, alongside the Scottish flag](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/eajgQCq1ylqyHzUkJvOXa2AWTkw=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-682014664-26ef995c538940d099865767e84f658f.jpg)
Regionalism: Definition and Examples
![U.S. troops tighten control of Iraq border with Iran.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/RPHeibHrsxnQvk_zOQb4tosi168=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-3087055-ca25e99d9a2e41fbad7d370b268f7e93.jpg)
What Is Interventionism? Definition and Examples
![Demonstrators from the Sierra Club, Workers For Progress, Our Revolution, and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network picket in front of the office of US Senator Shelley Moore Capitol.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/PRL_10p1cB3pV-2mls809x060w4=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-1233257276-957b9160c04242f5b7055cc09d77ff3c.jpg)
What Is Hyperpluralism? Definition and Examples
![Military mission at twilight.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/aw0vFEEcAakwlmPFTHOBSJJ4WZk=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-1273601403-149f62036fbc4b5ea325de3e8f9fdfe0.jpg)
National Security Definition and Examples
![Large group of people forming The United States of America.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/Afq-pRlOGvsis5P2x29BpMhp2lU=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-942300826-d3cfa84986fd4d06b3ed028ef26d6480.jpg)
What Is Political Participation? Definition and Examples
![Social networking and public opinion.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/y2wih_HRcde7-m6LuGmPz6gvwUs=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-1216169110-04c78b6b59e9490ea719789ef58c55f8.jpg)
Public Opinion Definition and Examples
![Inuit mother and daughter on Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada, in traditional dress out on the tundra.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/MIiiLpyESWI7LI8FxxuwFdLshy0=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-639495788-367606e077e94fa6aa1a77f34cae72d3.jpg)
Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
![Demonstrators from the Sierra Club, Workers For Progress, Our Revolution, and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network picket in front of the office of US Senator Shelley Moore Capito.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/6NveN7reaAd1uFVG-49JtwWKoqk=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-1233257276-258152f7c461488f894e5f3b512ddc1a.jpg)
What Are Interest Groups? Definition and Examples
![The United States Constitution, the basis of federalism](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/3COPSoku5SQI1PsD0QraxtCNskY=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-157741108-59d9d6433f8347f1ae6507e6b59e9366.jpg)
Types of Federalism: Definition and Examples
![Declaration of Independence](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/1kAsQlHCX4F20rLR8swiUOdesTA=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/1846548086001_declarationOfIndependence-5a8dcb37a18d9e0037888d01.jpg)
What Are Individual Rights? Definition and Examples
![Old to new: Residential building facades before and after renovation.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/-_6D7ShMJ6Yhlc5zbIe37mypvV0=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-1137837630-8e85a612dec243f19994b3cc73dc675f.jpg)
Gentrification: Why is it a Problem?
![A group of elementary students saying the Pledge of Allegiance](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/0ayhgQFY0SUYowU954tIS_IG4B0=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-722209469-039f95f0ff664113ad9bd238a4af5e5e.jpg)
What Is Political Socialization? Definition and Examples
![World map showing the British Empire in 1902. British possessions colored red.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/wSyi9IshFatJvqtttLrkRzpmxUE=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-1055146908-8cd571be94e340369e1f3394709e40b6.jpg)
What Is Colonialism? Definition and Examples
![A painting of a ballroom filled with men in dress uniforms and women in ballgowns](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/PuiMNccM5zD0jRpM79k2V_5XhWU=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-959937928-457f2daffb6940e19df672d024d46b87.jpg)
What Is Aristocracy? Definition and Examples
![First meeting of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/i9vzqacIadncCPQLhozggIy2dyk=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-533506999-0d2d71100df640e7b281000d1883deea.jpg)
What Is an Absolute Monarchy? Definition and Examples
![A crowd of people holding signs that read "Democracy Is Not For Sale"](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/thT9ulXIHCGbO9vHEGjXGpA_gWk=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-461896714-91ce8914780b4313923f6fbab55e7318.jpg)
What Is Plutocracy? Definition and Examples
![Occupy Wall Street effectively shuts down the main strip of the New York financial district.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/ZaCQnqremxn1SG5F2dfLLJ_63Uo=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/occupy-718e82bf605c4eb4899732042b812d45.jpg)
What Is Anarchy? Definition and Examples
![Corrupt Legislation: painting by Elihu Vedder, circa 1896](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/XBJ7-Mn4wv0_ear4xKTHyjGVzEs=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/klepto-d8abeafc53c649e898cbdf220e1d0937.jpeg)
What Is Kleptocracy? Definition and Examples
![Military Dictator of Chile General Augusto Pinochet stands at attention.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/dtbTCT33LLKp01YErLRbQ_Kp4SY=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-526769358-943959fe31174547a3b83d4dbcf3ffc9.jpg)
What Is a Military Dictatorship? Definition and Examples
![The essence of democracy.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/3Eb-Tr9V0v8JJnIPmQJzfe5jbq0=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-110679919-04614abcc0cc40f9a61a675e7229fe27.jpg)
What Is Democracy? Definition and Examples
![Illustration of totalitarianism’s control of the press.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/JO4oExL1B_SFlqCkiNia32zSEQY=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-136857621-2188503fda9e4f88baa5c5266a36dca9.jpg)
What Is Totalitarianism? Definition and Examples
![The entry of the colors, or Swastikas at the German National Socialist Party Day at Nuremberg, 1933](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/MtyiptT3dV1r_TR4rDstmvcwUio=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-3431322-6019ef89bdd34b13b50e0e9b50fb12d3.jpg)
What Is Autocracy? Definition and Examples
![A map of the United States, showing the distinctions and boundaries between pro- and anti-enslavement states as well as the territories of the Union, 1857.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/u9-vo-RE7zwPWVMboOFFK1_zdCk=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-108916323-6e5758f4b2f0417cbb27a449697305b0.jpg)
What Is Sectionalism? Definition and Examples
![Syrian refugees from the town of Kobani walk besides their tents near Suruc on the Turkish-Syrian border, 2014 Gokhan Sahin/Getty Images](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/0QkwdhPPLDsPu1hTd0DBENapuBo=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-457493922-e884d07ef1d74e7d9a5651a73cdbe246.jpg)
What Is a Failed State? Definition and Examples
![ILLEGAL GOLD MINE using mercury in the PHILIPPINES](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/iHW0SCzBPoSTc48Jnr8rPqXrTfo=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/98449633-56a627b33df78cf7728b9df5.jpg)
Mercury Usage in Gold Mining and Why It Is a Problem
![The banner reads "No to militarism and oligarchy"](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/_IVGRtkhWoHPJ72EovnYfSiUD6M=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-77427770-644af4cff25a467eb5409351ff5266c5.jpg)
What Is an Oligarchy? Definition and Examples
![GREECE-MIDDLE EAST-RELIGION-CONFLICT-CONFERENCE](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/cBVaewl07WmCPnqkkMOVCaFtNtE=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-493347826-bb5819862c794722807a9f7d0dcfca48.jpg)
What Is Pluralism? Definition and Examples
![leaflet in German](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/KCU-ceoEDVKXZqUU0KOGYQh7ITE=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/8th_Air_Force_psychological_warfare_leaflet-59cbc2c6af5d3a00117621b0.jpg)
An Introduction to Psychological Warfare
![A typical US courtroom as viewed from behind the witness stand.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/DeJ-BEhZ9PlItm0mq0kll_a_Ksw=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/courts-5831b10b5f9b58d5b193b3df.jpg)
The Difference Between Procedural Law and Substantive Law
![colorful math fractions and apples](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/ZCxIOmtj8NUkEUuWI3z2XgcJBQU=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-1138731571-1e7cc93067d8454aa8b6366c8097a33f.jpg)
Why Learning Fractions Is Important
![Four American flags flying with the Capitol building in the background](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/Gudsrr2xVEUJFG25Ci914HFBHCg=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-1192570738-45eb9668f7e2427c835e18d9b0a2d004.jpg)
What Is Nationalism? Definition and Examples
![Forensic criminologist in protective suit taking photos on a crime scene.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/leswZTAHvQB6fdy1mV85CiNEw4Y=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-1024531396-dd04923e33e941e48f3ec70932dd5cab.jpg)
Criminology Definition and History
![NYPD Cadets Attend Their Graduation](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/TyFfiTqivB_f4WT6g-xPhIqVFos=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/172491410-56a1e27d3df78cf7726f9b82.jpg)
The History of Modern Policing
![A steaming cup of coffee](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/xmqtHrcuvUP4KSgjO73uaOc_iB0=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/close-up-of-steaming-coffee-cup-on-table-678430499-59f22858c4124400117cbad9.jpg)
An Introduction to Sensory Marketing
![Cuban diplomats being expelled from their embassy in Washington, D.C.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/j5o0armVoAp21a4L_rrJu6V4i_k=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/immunity-59e368add963ac0011ba92e6.jpg)
How Far Does Diplomatic Immunity Go?
![internet cafe](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/vd7evwPVkDoP0v1aEMy4cVFtNCw=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/3270147101_8208254bfb_o-4bd6eabe5ef0447aa67dce81df670010.jpg)
Understanding America's Digital Divide
![](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/5t5SdvJRxlyZdv_pmUu0EmFqvCs=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/girl-doing-homework--56a77ccd3df78cf772966c97.jpg)
How Much Homework Should Students Have?
![Waste Management Phoenix Open - Round Two](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/4FZJX1R5g4elKkwhZvFd2ZG1laI=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/466126785-56a2acd03df78cf77278b261.jpg)
Why Is Recycling Not Mandatory in All U.S. Cities?
![Annual Fashion's Night Out Kicks Off New York's Fashion Week](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/oFj6y28RuQyUvDZTwKQKXOFfFOM=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/151387179-56a2ace25f9b58b7d0cd4c36.jpg)
Littering Is Everyone's Problem
![Extreme close-up of bee on sunflower Extreme close-up of two bee / honeybee (Apis mellifera) insects collecting pollen of a sunflower](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/j4x3yN0ZUgBZ8XBQ5JBjtmaM-WE=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-639277552-58dbf1365f9b5846830cb85b.jpg)
Why Are Honeybees Disappearing?
![Aspen trees changing colors in the fall, ground-level view looking up.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/3uLofZLcDlRGVX_cWD4iv3xXq5M=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/464687407-56a2ac893df78cf77278b05a.jpg)
Which Trees Best Offset Global Warming?
![woman under leaf in rain](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/Mw_BGc0yso7nJ-HJAXICCEPofHw=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/82180239-56a2acd55f9b58b7d0cd4bc2.jpg)
Tropical Rainforests Are Nature's Medicine Cabinet
![54th Itabashi fireworks](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/EZkQxaLVYoe76PgbrhP5edDirYk=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/180915233-56a2acf53df78cf77278b3b6.jpg)
Declare Your Independence From Toxic Fireworks Pollution
![White clover (Trifolium) spreading through a grass avenue.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/ifEbjuSLHGTpicbiCxeteRpvKSw=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/white-clover-trifolium-spreading-through-grass-avenue-june-135598202-58571a563df78ce2c36a136a.jpg)
Low Maintenance Alternatives to Grass
![Farmer checks his feed corn crop being harvested for biofuel](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/w2m6e7ihJTZZxlgfCm-SJRc1iI0=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/177680720-56a2ad2a3df78cf77278b56e.jpg)
The Pros and Cons of Biofuels
![Motor oil change](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/1cPGrQwwiG2qiTdVjME1LeVAHog=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/170618006-56a2ad013df78cf77278b423.jpg)
Is Synthetic Motor Oil Better for the Environment?
![Solar water heater](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/4DoJM3VfYCnl0L82im8Oypl0xN8=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-497474893-56ca01395f9b5879cc4a95e6.jpg)
Solar Water Heaters: What Are the Benefits?
![Full frame image of the tops of batteries](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/gp3TyifY3BWwqIqfFy59nh1mBdY=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/161806852-56a2ad0a3df78cf77278b45f.jpg)
Should Batteries Be Tossed or Recycled?
![Overhead view of empty plastic bottles](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/L00cRF0bYmuAbbO_CL3TkX0Socg=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/sb10066695e-001-56a2ad283df78cf77278b549.jpg)
The Dangers of Reusing Plastic Bottles
![United Nations' World Water Day Is Marked In San Francisco](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/_RD6CNIr2GTnusnqSQHKRrRM9T8=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/164294107-56a2acc03df78cf77278b1d7.jpg)
Recycling Different Plastics
![Green plastic lids close up.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/MX0abxDAENnj_HHE_CH1eXfrJzo=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/82747351-56a2ace45f9b58b7d0cd4c4c.jpg)
Recycling Plastic Lids and Bottle Caps