Washington is broken. Mired in partisan gridlock, the federal government is barely able to pay its own bills let alone deal with the nation’s long-term problems. From our struggling economy to our failing schools to our broken immigration system, we face a deficit of leadership. It’s no wonder the American people have no faith in … Read more
Since 2010, the media have constantly harped on Congress’s inability to do anything productive, blaming it on a spike in party polarization due to right-wing movements such as the Tea Party and a lack of cooperation. Data indicate party polarization has gradually increased over the past 20 years with two spikes in 1994 and 2010 … Read more
It is often expected that democracies impose term limits on presidential candidates. Such is the case in Bolivia, where the current term limit is set at two terms and general elections are set for October 12, 2014. So why is the incumbent, Juan “Evo” Morales, running for the third time? The simple answer is that … Read more
“There is an inherent talent required to do the job and do it well. Never forget that critiquing is founded on the principles of Economics; we want to maximize the number of satisfied restaurant goers by utilizing the least amount of resources. You must constantly ask yourself: What am I doing to fulfill my God-given … Read more
This article represents one side of a conversation between two HPR writers on the topic of Harvard’s legacy admissions. See here for the other side. Even after years of campaigns for diversity, increased financial aid, and accessibility to all students, Harvard’s campus still does not accurately reflect society today. A recent article in The Crimson, … Read more
Under the cover of night, the firm Spread Networks was secretly laying an 827-mile fiber optic cable connecting Chicago and Northern New Jersey in the straightest line possible. The workers, who were told to keep quiet and avoid asking questions of their employer, ran the line under rivers and even through miles of hard rock … Read more
Hipsters. With their detached discontent and pseudo-vintage flannel shirts, they claim the spot as our era’s most visible nonconformist subculture. They pair the grunge, beatnik, hippie, and rebel movements from past eras with protests against today’s social norms. The hipster avoids chain coffee shops, frequents vintage stores, and checks her Facebook feed on her iPhone. … Read more
On September 11, during the eve of the Scottish independence referendum, another Western European independence movement was brewing 1,300 miles to the south. Hundreds of thousands of residents of the Autonomous Region of Catalonia gathered in the streets of the capital city of Barcelona to demand a vote for their region’s independence from Spain. As … Read more
On September 21, over 100 Harvard affiliates, including activists and members of Divest Harvard, Harvard Hillel, and other student groups, joined the historic People’s Climate March in Manhattan. Below is a photo essay of the event produced by HPR contributing photographer Mattea Mrkusic. [NEW YORK] Between 310,000 and 400,000 protesters flooded the streets of New … Read more
This is the sixth installment in the Harvard Political Review‘s interview series with Massachusetts’ candidates for governor. Scott Lively is currently a full-time pastor running as an independent candidate. He has claimed close alignment with biblical principles throughout the campaign, ranging from his faith-based economic policy to his “[deep concern] for those who self-identify as homosexuals.” Harvard … Read more