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Dear friends of VTIPG and the Community Change Collaborative,
We share five articles each week that we find timely and meaningful that address significant concerns related to the state of our democracy and civil society. We aim to offer pieces that illuminate significant dimensions of our country's policy and governance challenges and the state of social norms that sustain the possibility of addressing those concerns. Please note, the views expressed in these essays do not necessarily reflect the perspectives of VTIPG faculty or staff or of Virginia Tech. We upload these articles and stories to our website. You may find that archive at News and Opportunities at http://ipg.vt.edu.
If you would like to suggest an article for consideration, please contact the editor at the address below.
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Our first piece this week comes from NPR. It discusses the conflicts between Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas and argues that their long history of tensions looks set to sustain these two wars.
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A second selection, from the Washington Post, suggests that American democracy could be in trouble even if Vice President Kamala Harris wins the general election.
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The Hill published our third story, an opinion essay that contends the Framers should not be blamed for the fact that the Electoral College now poses a potential threat to majority rule: a key tenant of democratic self-governance.
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A fourth article, from POLITICO, discusses a recent International Trade Union Confederation report that contends that several corporations are actively undermining democracy as they seek profits.
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Last, we feature a BBC News story that discusses the Biden Administration's proposed ban of Chinese and Russian Technology in American vehicles.
Brief synopses of these articles appear below. We hope the perspectives they offer encourage reflection and conversation!
Best wishes,
Billy Parvatam
VTIPG Communications Coordinator
pbilly97@vt.edu.
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Photo: A Ukrainian rescue worker looks at a burning electrical substation damaged by a Russian bomb in the Dnipropetrovsk region of Eastern Ukraine on September 2. Credit to NPR. |
From Gaza to Ukraine, why do so many modern wars last so long?
In this piece, NPR National Security Correspondent Greg Myre analyzed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts to suggest why so many modern wars last for long periods. He contended that, as in these conflicts, easy access to armaments and technology has enabled militaries to acquire weapons more quickly. Additionally, like other locations, these conflicts have defied lasting political solutions, making peace deals extremely difficult. Lastly, the leaders of Russia, Hamas and Israel, like those in other nations with long-lived recent conflicts, have an incentive to continue warfare to avoid losing office and facing trial for war crimes in international court.
Myre, G. (2024, September 23). From Gaza to Ukraine, why do so many modern wars last so long? NPR. https://www.npr.org/2024/09/23/nx-s1-5039157/from-gaza-to-ukraine-why-do-so-many-modern-wars-last-so-long
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Photo: A supporter of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz crashes a rally for Donald Trump next to a fundraiser he is holding in Woodside, CA on September 3. Credit to the Washington Post. | |
American democracy is in trouble - even if Harris wins
In this opinion piece, Washington Post columnist Perry Bacon contended that American democracy is in trouble even if Vice President Kamala Harris wins the 2024 election. He analyzed several potential governance scenarios and how each could unfold irrespective of whether Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump again the White House and Democrats or Republicans obtain a majority in Congress. Bacon argued that American democracy has been evidencing backsliding and all signs point to that trend continuing.
Bacon, P. (2024, September 23). "American democracy is in trouble - even if Harris wins. Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/09/23/harris-trump-election-scenarios-undemocratic/
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Photo: The certification of Electoral College votes for the state of Arizona is unsealed during a joint session of the House and Senate convening to confirm the electoral votes cast in the 2020 election, at the Capitol, January 6, 2021. Credit to The Hill. | |
The Electoral College endangers the republic, but don't blame the Framers
Carolyn Dupont of The Hill argued in this column that although the Electoral College contravenes majority rule because it allows the possibility of a candidate who did not win the popular vote to win the presidency nonetheless, as in 2000 and 2016, it is wrong to claim that the Founding Fathers created this dilemma. Dupont contends that the Electoral College was designed to choose the president in an atmosphere protected from corrupting forces. Ultimately, they agreed on this solution because they could not coalesce around another method. Additionally, since the 1840s, most states have allocated electors on a "winner-take all" basis, a choice that has exacerbated the hyper-partisan character of today’s politics. Dupont asserted that those defending the Electoral College today are in fact supporting an institution quite different from that which the Framers' put in place.
Dupont, C. (2024, September 23). "The Electoral College endangers the republic, but don’t blame the Framers." The Hill. https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/4894263-electoral-college-crisis-confidence/
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Photo: A new report by the International Trade Union Confederation found that Meta enables far-right propaganda and movements to use its platforms in a bid to increase its membership. Credit to Reuters. | |
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Amazon, Tesla, and Meta among world's top companies undermining democracy –report
This piece by Michael Sainato described a recent International Trade Union Confederation report that accused several of the world's top companies (Amazon, Tesla, Meta, ExxonMobil, Blackstone, Vanguard, and Glencore, among others) of undermining global democracy by financially supporting far-right political movements, knowingly exacerbating the climate crisis, and violating union and human rights. These companies lobbied for policy choices that would ensure their continued high profitability at the recent United Nations Summit of the Future in New York City while ignoring the likely long-term consequences of those policies. With four billion people around the world voting in elections in 2024, the federation is arguing for enactment of a binding international treaty requiring states to hold transnational corporations accountable for their human rights and environmental choices.
Sainato, M. (2024, September 23). "Amazon, Tesla and meta among world’s top companies undermining democracy – report." The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/sep/23/amazon-tesla-meta-climate-change-democracy
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Photo: A BYD Seagull electric car on display during the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, April 2023. Credit to Reuters. | |
US to ban Chinese tech in cars
This BBC News article discussed a Biden Administration proposal to ban certain hardware and software made in China and Russia from being installed in U.S. vehicles due to potential security risks. Administration officials have suggested that these technologies, primarily used for autonomous cars, could allow enemies to connect remotely with those vehicles on American roadways and manipulate them. Indeed, the White House has already raised tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars, batteries, and cargo cranes due to the cyber-security risks they represent.
Sherman, N. (2024, September 23). "US to ban Chinese tech in cars." BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyegl8q80do
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