Worrying News

The U.S. government is probing the death of Bill Sparkman, a census worker in rural Kentucky. He was found hanged in the woods with the word “FED” scrawled on his chest.  I doubt Glenn Beck means to goad his viewers into violence when he tells them the federal government is trying to destroy American democracy, … Read more

On Guard Against Hypothetical Threats

When you’re working to govern an entire nation, you can’t please everyone.  Particularly people with highly particular political preferences; they tend to be the most prickly when disappointed (though you’d think they’d get used to it).  So it’s a rare joy when a political figure does something that seems eminently sensible and pleasing, and with … Read more

Support for Soldiers

Eric Greitens on rebuilding after Katrina and helping veterans continue to serve at home Greitens is the volunteer Chairman and CEO of The Mission Continues and a U.S. Navy SEAL Officer. He recently wrote a book about his humanitarian work abroad called Strength and Compassion. HPR: You have worked in many different sectors from military … Read more

Shovel-Ready Spaceflight

Obama neglects the best stimulus of all: space exploration In the past few months President Obama has proposed hundreds of billions of dollars in new spending to lift the United States out of the recession. Employing arguably the most talented engineers and scientists and involving the most cutting-edge research, spaceflight is one of the very … Read more

Securing the Homeland

Tom Ridge on the creation and evolution of the Department of Homeland Security and the future of the Republican Party. Tom Ridge is the first Secretary of Homeland Security. He is a former Representative and Governor of Pennsylvania. He was very visible in the 2008 Presidential Race as an aide to Senator John McCain. Harvard … Read more

Reflections on a Winning Campaign

David Plouffe discusses the 2008 race and campaign reform   David Plouffe was the chief campaign manager for President Obama’s 2008 race. He has consulted the Democratic Party for years and is respected nation-wide as a political strategist. Harvard Political Review: Since the inauguration, the Obama for America campaign has become Organizing for America, but … Read more

Neither Prudishness nor Promiscuity

Real Sex: The Naked Truth about Chastity, by Lauren Winner, Brazos Press, 2006. $14.99.192 pg. Sex is a hot topic and is a reliable standby for talk shows, TV shows, and magazines; but is our culture really having any discussion about sexuality? In Lauren F. Winner’s book, Real Sex: The Naked Truth about Chastity, Winner … Read more

Education in California During the Budget Crisis: A Silver Lining?

On February 20, 2009, California state legislators ended months of negotiations when they closed a vast $41.6 billion budget gap through fiscal year 2010. Even after factoring in the expected federal stimulus funds, the final agreement called for spending cuts, temporary tax increases, and new borrowing. Public education has been one of the budget crisis’s … Read more

Avoiding the Politics of Aid

Nicolas De Torrente on how humanitarian aid organizations can be more effective and helpful in a world of global politics. Dr. De Torrente is the former Executive Director of Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders. He is currently a board member for the Drugs for Neglected Disease Initiative. Harvard Political Review: You have written in the … Read more

Averting Armaggedon: Apposite Approaches

In one strictly limited sense, modern man has become as God; he has acquired the ability to destroy the world. After the invention of the atomic bomb in 1945, the United States and the Soviet Union acquired massive reserves of the devices. While many in both nations would like to decrease the megatonnage they aim … Read more