Most Popular
1500 questions
43
votes
5 answers
Can a US President declare a "State of Emergency"?
Is there any provision within the US Constitution whereby the President can declare a state of emergency, suspending the powers of the judiciary/congress to override executive actions.
What happened during WW2 that permitted the detention of people…
WS2
- 10,706
- 10
- 38
- 56
42
votes
3 answers
Why is the Swiss Political Model not Replicated / Proposed Elsewhere?
Switzerland is generally recognized as a quite functional and prosperous society. It also features a political model with quite unique features:
All significant parties participate in the executive branch of the state (the federal council).
There…
pinpon
- 895
- 5
- 14
42
votes
3 answers
If Roe is overturned, what is the legality of laws prohibiting crossing state lines for abortion?
States such as Missouri are planning to make it illegal for a citizen of Missouri to go to a different state to get an abortion if Roe is ultimately overturned. It attempts to evade legal challenge by using the same "allow private citizens to sue"…
Gramatik
- 10,484
- 3
- 31
- 56
42
votes
14 answers
Why is "Whataboutism" often criticized?
Whataboutism or Whataboutary is the technique or practice of responding to an accusation or difficult question by making a counter-accusation or raising a different issue.
Examples:
The USA to Russia: "You invaded Ukraine and killed tens of…
user366312
- 1
- 7
- 54
- 117
42
votes
5 answers
Is it politically acceptable to incentivize soldiers of another country to desert?
If the USA (or another western country) wants to help Ukraine without sending troops, one thing it can do is to convince Russian soldiers in Ukraine to desert the Russian army, for example, by promising a green card to any soldier who abandons his…
Erel Segal-Halevi
- 5,073
- 1
- 29
- 48
42
votes
5 answers
Can the FBI or the CIA keep things secret from the President?
Can the FBI or the CIA keep things secret from the President? Or does the FBI and the CIA always have to reveal the whole extent of the truth whenever the President is informed of something? Can they keep something secret if the President doesn't…
Sayaman
- 40,192
- 9
- 139
- 290
42
votes
15 answers
Why does the U.S. left-wing party hate being called "socialist", but in France the left-wing party proudly calls itself "the Socialist Party"?
Why does the main left-wing party in the United States (the Democratic Party) hate being called "socialist", but in France the main left-wing party proudly calls itself "the Socialist Party"?
user50746
- 916
- 1
- 8
- 11
42
votes
2 answers
How would a mute person take an oath of office in the United States?
Many officeholders in the United States are required to take an oath of office. How would a mute person do this?
qarz
- 643
- 1
- 9
- 17
42
votes
6 answers
Why is the UK blaming the EU and what does the UK want?
I believe I know the Brexit issue pretty well. However, I haven't been closely following it since Boris became PM (but still followed it somewhat). What I don't understand is this:
[...] what we can't have is the EU seeking to erect a border down…
Sergey Zolotarev
- 4,173
- 2
- 21
- 33
42
votes
8 answers
What is the origin of the fears of racism associated with facial recognition technology?
If one pays attention to technology-based news all the big players in facial recognition technology are now refusing to provide this technology to the US government and/or police. When news reports on this the generally imply the new refusals are…
dsollen
- 9,440
- 6
- 40
- 61
42
votes
1 answer
Where does Trump's authority to cut funding to WHO come from, if Congress controls spending?
I always thought that Congress controlled US government spending; the so called "power of the purse". However, on April 14th, Trump gave a press conference during which he signalled that he would instruct his administration to halt funding to the…
CuriousAboutPolitics
- 333
- 3
- 6
42
votes
2 answers
Did Poland ever apologize for its alliance with Germany before 1939?
It is not widely known now, but, before 1939, Poland and Nazi Germany were neighbours with very good relations:
Czechoslovakia was occupied by both Nazi Germany and Poland.
Poland was the first European country to make a non-aggression pact with…
user2501323
- 11,825
- 4
- 44
- 91
42
votes
5 answers
Why does US tend to have rather old leaders (> 60) while more and more European countries have young ones (<40)?
This questions deals with the age of presidential candidates in US. The most upvoted answer argues that:
The main reason is simply that president of the US is the very top
position that can be achieved for a (US) politician
This article shows a…
Alexei
- 52,716
- 43
- 186
- 345
42
votes
5 answers
Why does US confirm conducting strikes such as the one that targeted Qassem Soleimani?
After the recent strike targeting Qassem Soleimani I am wondering why does US performs these attacks so bluntly while nowadays it is quite fashionable to deny involvement.
I assume that in order to able to deny they should rely on less…
Alexei
- 52,716
- 43
- 186
- 345
42
votes
3 answers
To whom does the Islamic State sell their oil?
The Islamic State (IS) is largely funded, it is often said, by oil revenues. This New York Times claims that the value of the output of the oil fields under IS control is $1 million to $2 million dollars per day. It goes on to state that the Iraqi…
Chris Mueller
- 1,418
- 11
- 21