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1500 questions
25
votes
9 answers

Is candidate anonymity at all practical?

We are all aware voting is largely biased. Of course, it would be attractive to reduce that bias as much as possible because greater policy-based voting allows laws and regulations to better reflect the interests of society. So is it potentially…
user581844
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25
votes
4 answers

Why does the US Congress have two chambers?

Why does the US have separate houses (House of Representatives and Senate) to form Congress? Put another way, what is the reasoning behind a bicameral legislature in the USA?
UKB
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25
votes
3 answers

If a US Supreme Court justice dies between voting and releasing ruling, does their vote count?

My understanding is the Supreme Court normally releases their rulings in bursts around the same time instead of releasing them as soon as the opinions are ready. Consider a 5-4 ruling where a justice in the majority dies after the voting is finished…
KPD
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25
votes
2 answers

(Why) does the US left promote federal powers over state powers?

This comment states that the modern left is often promoting federal powers over state powers. I assume that the comment relates to the United States. It surprises me, because in (northern) Europe, some left-wing and most hard-left parties are quite…
gerrit
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25
votes
3 answers

Can one say that US politicians are more independent from their parties than others?

On this question, a user commented: It should be noted that the US has the weakest political parties among modern democracies - that is, US politician are way more independent from their parties than their counterparts abroad (in Europe or…
Azor Ahai -him-
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25
votes
4 answers

How do Libertarians address the case of "I sold my soul to the company store"?

One of the main arguments that large corporations would not pose a threat in minimal-government libertarian state is that the corporation theoretically has no monopoly on force. In other words, "A corporation can not force you to submit to its…
user4012
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25
votes
2 answers

Why wasn't Elena Kagan's lack of *judicial* experience an issue?

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Elena Kagan held the job of Solicitor General at the time she was nominated to the Supreme Court by Barack Obama. Her legal bona fides were extensive. But prominently missing among them…
grovkin
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25
votes
7 answers

Why does the UK Labour Party support Brexit?

Sure the "remain" side in the EU referendum suffered a narrow defeat, but the Labour Party has lost in much bigger defeats and didn't abandon its policies, so that's not reason enough. Possibilities I've considered: - Corbyn just doesn't like the…
Martin
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25
votes
1 answer

Are Scott Pruitt's problems over after his resignation?

Scott Pruitt resigned because of numerous ethical scandal investigations. Do the investigations continue? Does resigning clear him of all those investigations? If he misused public funds, is he still accountable?
Max
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25
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9 answers

Why fund research in pure mathematics?

I post this question on politics.se, as suggested by this answer of Bjørn Kjos-Hanssen. The research in pure mathematics has (generally) no other choice that being funded by public organizations and universities, so that the money allocated to it…
25
votes
4 answers

Unclaimed pieces of land

Which parts of the world are not claimed/part of any country (not Antarctica). Do they have inhabitants? If they are inhabited, what citizenship do the inhabitants hold?
25
votes
3 answers

Why haven't the sanctions relief improved Iranians living conditions?

While most of the world was celebrating the New Year, Iranian protests continued in the night 2017-2018: "In the events of last night, unfortunately a total of about 10 people were killed in several cities," it said. At least 12 people have now …
Alexei
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25
votes
2 answers

What, if anything, can disqualify one from inheriting the British throne?

Can things like infidelity, crime, or immoral behaviour make a heir ineligible for succession of the British throne?
Carson
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25
votes
6 answers

Why do we need static coalitions?

By the German constitution, every member of parliament has to adhere to their conscience only. In reality, the parties on the parliament usually vote unanimously for some bill. The parties that are part of the coalition vote in support of the bill,…
Martin Ueding
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25
votes
1 answer

What do British people think about female-only carriages on trains?

I read that one politician in British Labour party suggested implementing a women-only carriage but immediately got backlash (here or here). I tried accessing some of these articles but all of them seem to only cite statements by politicians and/or…
Blaszard
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