America’s Unsung Allies
The September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon caused a major shift in the foreign policy objectives of President George W. Bush. Many nations enlisted in …
Revolutionary War: Changes in American Military Strategy
Later this month, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is expected to submit to Congress his review of the status of the U.S. military. Politicians and pundits are eagerly waiting to …
Politics in the Old Dominion
We look at the significance of the Nov. 2nd vote—an election that some predict will result in Republican domination of Virginia politics. Why is politics in the Old Dominion described …
The Bill of Rights – Unframed
The U.S. Bill of Rights was drafted over two centuries ago to protect individuals from tyranny and oppression. Its framers painstakingly shaped the Bill’s language to encompass a broad sphere …
Can You Believe It? Eyewitness Testimony and Juries
Our judicial system is predicated on the notion we may be tried by a jury of our peers. But some worry that we’ve strayed too far from that fundamental notion …
Here a Weapon, There a Weapon – Weapons Proliferation in the ’90s
While the end of the Cold War may have put a stop to the Soviet-U.S. arms race, elsewhere in the world nations continue to stockpile weapons.Wayne Lesperance (Christopher Newport University) and Tom …
Election ’98: Searching for the Ideal Candidate
In the wake of Lewinsky and Starr, pundits discuss the Congressional elections and the “Ideal Politician of the 21st Century.” Also: A look at Virginia political dynasties with analysts Bob Holsworth …
Democratic Drift and the End of History: A Discussion with Francis Fukuyama
In his award-winning 1992 essay, The End of History, Francis Fukuyama says liberal democracy is the only political system that the world views as legitimate. As a result, he contends, nations of the …
Replay: Turf Wars: The Debate Over Regional Government
As Virginia’s innercity problems spill over into the surburban counties, local governments are looking at the ways cities and counties can cooperate to improve the lives of all citizens. Christopher …
Setting Agenda: American Defense and Foreign Policy Issues
How does the United States shape its foreign policy? Former Undersecretary of State David Newsom (University of Virginia), author of The Public Dimension of Foreign Policy, joins Mary Washington political scientist John Kramer for a …
For Better or Worse: The Public and Political Ethics
Virginia Commonwealth University political scientist Scott Keeter joins Bob Roberts (James Madison University), author of The Public Integrity War, for a discussion of our national obsession with the ethical conduct of politicians. Roberts blames an …
On the Town: The Debate Over Reversion and Revenue-Sharing
Virginia has 40 independent cities—28 are eligible to revert to town status. With increased competition between city and county, reversion promises cities new clout and relief from costly education and …