As the once-in-a-decade transfer of political power in China looms, the consequences for the country’s foreign policy, economic development, political reform, and military affairs is hard to overstate. In Autumn, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will hold its 18th National People’s Congress, changing over all nine positions in the Politburo Standing Committee, China’s highest decision […] … learn more→
Tag Archives: politics
China’s leadership transition: a fight behind closed doors
Banned Books Awareness: “Literacy is a Lifestyle”
March is National Reading and Grammar Month here in the United States. It is built around the birthday of Dr. Seuss, as March 2 is honored with a National Read Across America Day. Libraries and schools from coast to coast held reading parties and celebrated the written word; but for all the festivity, we have […] … learn more→
Polarization vital for party-building
Far from destabilizing democratic institutions, polarization can play a vital role for opposition political parties. That’s the eye-opening conclusion American University School of Public Affairs professor Adrienne LeBas draws in her new book, From Protest to Parties: Party-Building and Democratization in Africa (2011: OUP). LeBas’s work studying opposition parties in the hybrid democracies of Zimbabwe, […] … learn more→
US global shift and the imperative for Higher Education
As the American era of global dominance draws to a close, higher education becomes more important than ever. … learn more→
Banned Books Awareness: Revising history
Most people are familiar with the classic saying, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,\” uttered by George Santayana. He, himself, identified as an American and wrote exclusively in English, but the famous philosopher was born in Madrid and was a lifelong Spanish citizen even though he was raised and educated […] … learn more→
Journalism Professor adds up the high cost of “zero-sum politics”
Tom Edsall has covered every presidential campaign since 1968. He has reported on politics from more than 30 states and written five books on the subject. He sees politics in virtually everything. “If I’m walking down Broadway and I see a school bus hit a police car, my first thought is, does this help the […] … learn more→
The rise of Islamist parties in Egypt’s elections
After the overthrowing of dictator Hosni Mubarak, Egypt has had its first round of parliamentary elections, with two parties dominating the vote – the moderate Muslim Brotherhood and the religious conservative party, Al-Nour. As voting continues, I spoke with Middle East expert, Anthony Billingsley to understand how Egypt has gone from a secular revolution to […] … learn more→
Master of Islam in the Modern World
The Master of Islam in the Modern World is a unique program in its interdisciplinary approach, global focus, and flexibility. … learn more→