Featured · Essay · Political Philosophy
Democracy
Democracy is rule by the people — and the data show how far that idea has spread, and where it is receding.
Bastian Herre· Our World in Data · Authorized reading · 3 min
Forum
Classics, political writing, and commentaries.
Public-domain classics, Congressional Research Service writing, and contemporary commentaries. Student writing appears when an editor accepts it. You need an account to submit.
Student writing · Immigration
Early Look at the 2028 Election
The Opening Gambit It is a curious habit of the American republic that its citizens begin auditioning the next sovereign before the current one has finished unpacking. The midterm elections arrive on November 3, and yet the 2028 field already crowds the wings like understudies wh
vincentzhu· Independent · CounterPart Original · 5 min
Student writing · Foreign policy
U.S. Foreign Policy Toward China
Introduction The relationship between the United States and China is the most consequential in the world. The two countries have the largest economies, the biggest defense budgets, and the most advanced AI industries. How Washington handles Beijing shapes global trade, the future
Vincent Zhu· Independent · CounterPart Original · 6 min
Speech · U.S. Politics
What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?
Rochester, July 5, 1852. Douglass’s oration on independence celebrated in a country that still traded in people.
Frederick Douglass· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 47 min
Student writing · Other
The Machinery of Repression: Iran's 2025–2026 Crackdown as a Test Case in State Violence
When a government responds to its own citizens' demands for accountability with live ammunition, mass arrest, internet blackouts, and expedited executions, it forfeits any claim to be governing by consent. The crackdown the Islamic Republic of Iran launched against nationwide pro
Gavin Kirsch· Brunswick · CounterPart Original · 6 min
Student writing · Criminal justice
Justice in the Digital Age: Privacy, Punishment, and Power
Two Supreme Court decisions from the past year show how criminal justice often involves a conflict between public safety, individual rights, and the finality of punishment. *Chatrie v. United States* dealt with digital privacy during a police investigation, while *Rutherford v. U
Randy· Duke · CounterPart Original · 2 min
Speech · U.S. Politics
Inaugural Address
Kennedy’s 1961 case that the new generation would pay any price to keep liberty.
John F. Kennedy· The Avalon Project, Yale Law School · Authorized reading · 4 min
Student writing · Abortion
The Moral Uneasiness of Abortion
Abortion is usually discussed as if there are only two choices: either you care about women, or you care about unborn children. I do not think that is a fair way to frame the issue. A woman facing an unwanted pregnancy can be in an incredibly difficult situation, and that deserve
tim· vanderbilt · CounterPart Original · 7 min
Student writing · Free speech
The Most Dangerous Opinion in the Room
The easiest way to understand free speech is to imagine that everyone is wrong except you. It is a comforting position. If an idea is obviously stupid, offensive, or dangerous, why should anyone be required to listen to it? Yet this is where the defense of free speech becomes mo
Thomas Oliver· Brunswick · CounterPart Original · 2 min
Speech · U.S. Politics
Farewell Address
Eisenhower’s warning about the military-industrial complex, delivered as he left the presidency.
Dwight D. Eisenhower· The Avalon Project, Yale Law School · Authorized reading · 5 min
Political Writing · Foreign Policy
NATO: Issues for the July 2026 Ankara Summit
Heads of state and government from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO's) 32 members are scheduled to meet for a summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7-8, 2026. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has outlined thre
Congressional Research Service· Congressional Research Service · Authorized reading · 10 min
Commentary · Foreign Policy
NATO’s internal cohesion is being threatened (again) – but in pushing for support on Iran, Trump may risk eroding US influence on the alliance
Soon after the Israeli-U.S. war in Iran began on Feb. 28, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump called upon NATO allies to help support the effort. The response of European leaders was at first mixed.
Michael A. Allen· The Conversation · Authorized reading · 6 min
Speech · Foreign Policy
The Truman Doctrine
Truman’s 1947 argument that the United States should support free peoples resisting armed minorities and outside pressure.
Harry S. Truman· The Avalon Project, Yale Law School · Authorized reading · 3 min
Commentary · Law
How Homeland Security’s subpoenas and databases of protesters threaten the ‘uninhibited, robust, and wide‑open’ free speech protected by Supreme Court precedent
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is reportedly issuing administrative subpoenas to identify anonymous social media accounts that criticize U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Google,
Stephanie A. (Sam) Martin· The Conversation · Authorized reading · 6 min
Academic Paper · Political Philosophy
My Understanding of Democracy: An Overview
Przeworski’s summary of when elections can process conflict without violence, and where his own theory still fails.
Adam Przeworski· Estudios Sociológicos de El Colegio de México · External recommendation · Off-site
Speech · U.S. Politics
Second Inaugural Address
March 4, 1865. A short speech on the war, slavery, and a peace with malice toward none.
Abraham Lincoln· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 3 min
Commentary · Foreign Policy
Europeans are concerned that the US will withdraw support from NATO. They are right to worry − Americans should, too
The United States has long played a leadership role in NATO, the most successful military alliance in history.
John Deni· The Conversation · Authorized reading · 5 min
Political Writing · Foreign Policy
The North Atlantic Treaty: U.S. Legal Obligations and Congressional Authorities
On July 21, 1949, the Senate passed a resolution giving its advice and consent to the ratification of the North Atlantic Treaty, the multilateral collective security agreement that established the North Atlantic Treaty O
Congressional Research Service· Congressional Research Service · Authorized reading · 6 min
Speech · U.S. Politics
The Gettysburg Address
A short speech that restates the American founding as a proposition still being tested.
Abraham Lincoln· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 3 min
Commentary · Political Philosophy
Who Decides What Is Democratic?
A short argument that calling something “democratic” depends on whether you hold a minimal or maximal view of the word.
Adam Przeworski· Journal of Democracy · External recommendation · Off-site
Commentary · U.S. Politics
Polarization may phase out of American politics as younger generations shift into power
The sharp increase in political polarization in America over the past 50 years has been driven in part by how different generations think about politics. But the rise of younger generations to pol
Sally Friedman· The Conversation · Authorized reading · 4 min
Book Selection · Political Philosophy
Introductory
Mill’s opening case that the real danger in a democracy is social tyranny, not only the magistrate.
John Stuart Mill· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 25 min
Commentary · Foreign Policy
Taiwan’s election was a clear show of defiance in the face of Chinese intimidation and pressure
Taiwan’s recent election result highlights voters’ steadfast determination to resist China’s influence on their politics. Despite all Beijing’s efforts to sway popular support towards its preferre
Yukteshwar Kumar· The Conversation · Authorized reading · 4 min
Political Writing · Energy
Potential Impacts of Offshore Wind on the Marine Ecosystem and Associated Species: Background and Issues for Congress
Offshore wind energy is one alternative to energy derived from the combustion of fossil fuels. The United States' ability to harness wind energy from the outer continental shelf (OCS) is at an initial stage compared with
Congressional Research Service· Congressional Research Service · Authorized reading · 8 min
Book Selection · Political Philosophy
Of the Liberty of Thought and Discussion
Why silencing an opinion is a theft from the human race, even when the opinion is false.
John Stuart Mill· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 34 min
Essay · Foreign Policy
Nuclear Weapons
The world’s nuclear powers have more than 12,000 nuclear warheads. These weapons can kill millions directly and, through their impact on agriculture, likely have the potential to kill billions .
Bastian Herre· Our World in Data · Authorized reading · 3 min
Political Writing · Law
Understanding and Conceptualizing Domestic Terrorism: Issues for Congress
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Defining Domestic Terrorism and Extremism .............................
Congressional Research Service· Congressional Research Service · Authorized reading · 3 min
Essay · Political Philosophy
On the Duty of Civil Disobedience
1849. Conscience over the majority, the Mexican War, and why a cheap vote is not the same as doing the right thing.
Henry David Thoreau· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 42 min
Political Writing · Technology
Artificial Intelligence: Overview, Recent Advances, and Considerations for the 118th Congress
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Artificial Intelligence Background and History ........................
Congressional Research Service· Congressional Research Service · Authorized reading · 4 min
Essay · Economy
Economic Inequality
Tracking the incomes of the richest: data from the World Inequality Database Inequality of what? Why WID and survey-based data measure different things
Joe Hasell· Our World in Data · Authorized reading · 4 min
Book Selection · Political Philosophy
Tyranny of the Majority
Tocqueville’s warning that a democracy can oppress without a king.
Alexis de Tocqueville· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 5 min
Political Writing · Elections
Elections and Voting: Policy and Legal Issues for the 118th Congress
amendments to these policy areas between 2002 and 2009. Recent Congresses also provided funding to support states
Congressional Research Service· Congressional Research Service · Authorized reading · 3 min
Political Writing · Foreign Policy
Russia’s War in Ukraine: Military and Intelligence Aspects
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Congressional Research Service· Congressional Research Service · Authorized reading · 4 min
Speech · U.S. Politics
Farewell Address
Washington’s warning against parties at home and permanent alliances abroad.
George Washington· The Avalon Project, Yale Law School · Authorized reading · 12 min
Essay · Energy
Nuclear Energy
This article was first published in July 2020. We revised this page in August 2026 to reflect the change in how primary energy is measured.
Hannah Ritchie· Our World in Data · Authorized reading · 3 min
Essay · Energy
Renewable Energy
Since the Industrial Revolution, the energy mix of most countries across the world has become dominated by fossil fuels. This has major implications for the global climate, as well as for human health. Three-quarters of
Hannah Ritchie· Our World in Data · Authorized reading · 3 min
Book Selection · Political Philosophy
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (introduction)
The rights of man, Wollstonecraft says, are a farce if they stop at one sex.
Mary Wollstonecraft· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 9 min
Political Writing · Technology
Cybersecurity: A Primer
The information technology that Americans use to chat with loved ones and make purchases are the same that can be turned against them to deny access to services, steal their information, or compromise the digital systems
Congressional Research Service· Congressional Research Service · Authorized reading · 4 min
Political Writing · Elections
Donor Disclosure: 501(c) Groups and Campaign Spending
has, in the courts concerning this specific case—which is beyond the scope of this CRS product—the policy
Congressional Research Service· Congressional Research Service · Authorized reading · 3 min
Political Writing · Law
The Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments: speech, arms, searches, juries, and the powers reserved to the states and the people.
The First Congress· The Avalon Project, Yale Law School · Authorized reading · 3 min
Political Writing · Foreign Policy
Taiwan: Background and U.S. Relations
Taiwan, which also calls itself the Republic of China (ROC) and was once known as Formosa, is a self-governing East Asian democracy located across the Taiwan Strait from mainland China. Taiwan's popularly elected leaders
Congressional Research Service· Congressional Research Service · Authorized reading · 8 min
Political Writing · Foreign Policy
United Nations Issues: U.S. Funding to the UN System
Congress is responsible for authorizing and appropriating funding to the United Nations (UN) system. Since the United Nations was founded in 1945, the United States has historically been the single largest financial cont
Congressional Research Service· Congressional Research Service · Authorized reading · 7 min
Essay · Law
The Judiciary Department
Hamilton’s argument that the courts are the least dangerous branch — if they keep their place.
Alexander Hamilton· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 9 min
Essay · Economy
Government Spending
Public spending enables governments to produce and purchase goods and services in order to fulfill their objectives — such as the provision of public goods or the redistribution of resources. On this topic page, we study
Esteban Ortiz-Ospina· Our World in Data · Authorized reading · 3 min
Essay · U.S. Politics
The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances
Ambition must be made to counteract ambition: Madison’s case for separated powers.
James Madison· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 9 min
Essay · Culture
Trust
Trust is a fundamental element of social capital — essential for the cohesion of communities, vital for effective cooperation, and crucial for economic development.
Esteban Ortiz-Ospina· Our World in Data · Authorized reading · 3 min
Political Writing · Foreign Policy
Venezuela: Political Crisis and U.S. Policy
Over the past several Congresses, some Members have expressed concerns about authoritarian rule under Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (2013-present). Maduro took office after a narrow electoral victory following the
Congressional Research Service· Congressional Research Service · Authorized reading · 7 min
Essay · U.S. Politics
The Union as a Safeguard Against Faction
Federalist No. 10. Madison’s case that a large republic can control faction without destroying liberty — still the American argument about parties.
James Madison· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 14 min
Political Writing · Foreign Policy
Great Power Competition: Implications for Defense—Issues for Congress
The emergence over the past decade of intensified U.S. competition with the People’s Republic of China (PRC or China) and the Russian Federation (Russia)—often referred to as great power competition (GPC) o
Congressional Research Service· Congressional Research Service · Authorized reading · 3 min
Political Writing · U.S. Politics
Noncitizen Eligibility for Federal Public Assistance: Policy Overview
The extent to which residents of the United States who are not U.S. citizens should be eligible for federally funded public aid has been a contentious issue since the 1990s. This issue meets at the intersection of two ma
Congressional Research Service· Congressional Research Service · Authorized reading · 4 min
Essay · U.S. Politics
General Introduction
Whether societies of men are really capable of establishing good government from reflection and choice.
Alexander Hamilton· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 7 min
Political Writing · Foreign Policy
Ukraine: Current Issues and U.S. Policy
November 2016 marked the third anniversary of the popular uprising that erupted in Kyiv's Maidan Square in late 2013 over the government's decision to reject closer relations with the European Union (EU). February 2017 w
Congressional Research Service· Congressional Research Service · Authorized reading · 9 min
Political Writing · Foreign Policy
Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress
Summary Japan is a significant partner of the United States in a number of foreign policy areas, including addressing regional security concerns, which range from hedging against Chinese military modernization to counter
Congressional Research Service· Congressional Research Service · Authorized reading · 5 min
Political Writing · U.S. Politics
The Constitution of the United States
The 1787 frame of government, from the Preamble through the original articles.
The Constitutional Convention· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 5 min
Political Writing · Law
Executive Orders: Issuance, Modification, and Revocation
Executive orders, presidential memoranda, and proclamations are used extensively by Presidents to achieve policy goals, set uniform standards for managing the executive branch, or outline a policy view intended to influe
Congressional Research Service· Congressional Research Service · Authorized reading · 11 min
Political Writing · U.S. Politics
The Declaration of Independence
The 1776 public argument that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.
Thomas Jefferson· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 3 min
Book Selection · Political Philosophy
Of the Origin and Design of Government in General
The opening argument of Common Sense: society is a blessing, government is a necessary evil, and hereditary show is not the same as security.
Thomas Paine· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 10 min
Book Selection · Political Philosophy
Book I
Rousseau’s opening book: the general will, the people, and the problem of legitimate authority.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 6 min
Essay · Political Philosophy
Of the First Principles of Government
Force is always on the side of the governed. Hume asks why anyone obeys.
David Hume· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 8 min
Essay · Political Philosophy
Of the Liberty of the Press
Hume’s short case that a free press is mixed up with the British constitution itself.
David Hume· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 8 min
Book Selection · Political Philosophy
Of the State of Nature
Locke’s account of men as free, equal, and bound by the law of nature before they make a government.
John Locke· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 13 min
Book Selection · Political Philosophy
Of the Natural Condition of Mankind
The war of all against all, and why Hobbes thinks men accept a common power.
Thomas Hobbes· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 8 min
Book Selection · Political Philosophy
Concerning Cruelty and Clemency, and Whether It Is Better to Be Loved than Feared
The chapter people quote when they want to sound hard. Read the actual argument.
Niccolò Machiavelli· Project Gutenberg · Authorized reading · 9 min