25 Controversial Topics: Position Paper Guide

Most Controversial Topics List · 1. Gun Control · 2. Abortion · 3. Religious Freedom · 4. Animal Rights · 5. Vaccines · 6. Privacy Rights. SHARETHIS 25ControversialTopics:PositionPaperGuide byEvanThompson March3,2022 Needtowriteapositionpaperorprepareforadebate?Readabout25oftoday'smostdivisivetopics,fromvaccinestoguncontrol. thebestschools.orgisanadvertising-supportedsite.Featuredortrustedpartnerprogramsandallschoolsearch,finder,ormatchresultsareforschoolsthatcompensateus.Thiscompensationdoesnotinfluenceourschoolrankings,resourceguides,orothereditorially-independentinformationpublishedonthissite. Areyoureadytodiscoveryourcollegeprogram? MostControversialTopics Collegeandcontroversialtopicsgohandinhand,makingitagreattimetosharpenyourdebateskillsanddetermineyourstanceontoday'smostcontroversialissues. Bythetimeyougraduate,you'lllikelyhavebeeninvolvedinspiritedclassroomdiscussions,livelypoliticaldisagreements,orevenfull-fledgedprotests. Atsomepoint,youmayalsohavetowriteaboutsomethingcontroversial,suchascapitalpunishment,abortion,orguncontrol.Exploringtopicslikethesecanchallengeyourworldview,personalethics,andemotionalinstinctsandmakeyouamoreclear-headedthinker. Thefirststeptowritinganypositionpaperistotakeastancebetweentwomainarguments,whichrequiresyoutounderstandbothperspectives—andtobackupyourargumentswithcold,hardfacts. Tohelp,we'vecompiledalistofthetop25mostcontroversialtopics.Itisbynomeansanexhaustiveexplorationofeachposition;instead,considerthisastartingpointtofamiliarizeyouwiththebroaderissuesbeforeyoudivedeepintoresearch. MostControversialTopicsList 1.GunControl 2.Abortion 3.ReligiousFreedom 4.AnimalRights 5.Vaccines 6.PrivacyRights 7.Free-MarketCapitalism 8.GlobalClimateChange 9.Evolution 10.MarijuanaLegalization 11.CapitalPunishment 12.MarriageEquality 13.ImmigrationReform 14.TheTrumpPresidency 15.TheOpioidCrisis 16.TransgenderRights 17.FederalLivableWage 18.WhiteSupremacy 19.TheGreenNewDeal 20.ElectoralCollege 21.BlackLivesMatter 22.CancelCulture 23.StudentDebtCrisis 24.TheIsraeli-PalestinianConflict 25.UniversalHealthcare CollapseAll ExpandAll GunviolencehasbeenaheateddebatetopicintheU.S.foryears.Massshootingsandotheractsofgunviolencekillnearly40,000peopleeveryyearintheU.S. TheguncontroldebatelargelyhingesoninterpretationsoftheSecondAmendment.Itreads:"AwellregulatedMilitia,beingnecessarytothesecurityofafreeState,therightofthepeopletokeepandbearArms,shallnotbeinfringed." Advocatesforgunrightsarguethe"rightofthepeopletokeepandbeararms"meansthatthegovernmentcannotcontrolthepossessionoffirearms.Thus,theyopposeanylawsthatimpacttheirabilitytobuy,carry,oraccessorizeguns. Bycontrast,guncontroladvocatesfocusonthepartoftheSecondAmendmentthatsaysgunrightsaremeanttobe"wellregulated"bylocal,state,andfederallegislativebodies.Theypushforstricterguncontrollaws,includingmoreextensivebackgroundchecks,regulationsonassaultweapons,andbanninghigh-capacitymagazines. Today,thedebatehasescalatedduetothehighrateofgunviolenceandtherisingfrequencyofmassshootings.In2019,therewere417massshootingsintheU.S.,accordingtodatafromthenonprofitGunViolenceArchive(GVA).Theincreasingprevalenceofmassshootingshassparkedfiercedebatesaboutthesaleofassaultrifles,backgroundchecksforgunbuyers,andtheconnectionbetweengunviolenceandmentalillness. FurtherReading NationalAcademiesPress PewResearchCenter RAND Findoutwhatyoucandowithacriminaljusticedegreetohelpresolvethisdebate. TheabortiondebatehaslongbeenoneofthemostcontroversialtopicsintheUnitedStates.Itcentersonafundamentaldisagreementoverthequestionofbodilyautonomy,asexpressedthroughaperson'srighttoterminateapregnancy. Abortionbecamelegalineverystatefollowingthelandmark1973SupremeCourtcaseofRoev.Wade.Everystatehasatleastoneabortionclinic,andin2017,18%ofpregnanciesendedinabortion. Thedebatetypicallysplitsintotwocommonviewpoints--pro-choiceandpro-life--whichbothwranglewithreligious,moral,andphilosophicalbeliefs. Thepro-lifeperspectivearguesthatlifebeginsatthemomentofconception,andthereforeabortionisequivalenttomurder.Itisseenasanactofviolencethatcanhavephysical,emotional,andpsychologicalrepercussions,evenifthepregnancyresultedfromrapeorincest.Pro-lifesupportersbelievethatgovernmentinterventiontopreventabortionsisjustified. Ontheotherside,pro-choicearguesthatpeoplehavetherighttochoosetohaveanabortionbecausetheyhavebodilyautonomy--completecontrolovertheirownbodies.Theybelievethatitisimmoralforthegovernmenttomakemedicaldecisionsonbehalfofpregnantpeople.Thus,thepro-choiceperspectiveopposesfederal,state,orlocallawsthatrestrictaccess,impedefunding,orcreatelegalobstaclesforgettinganabortion. FurtherReading PewResearchCenter PLOSONE GuttmacherInstitute Checkoutwhatyoucandowithalawdegreetoactivelyparticipateinthisdebate. ReligiousfreedomisconsideredafundamentalhumanrightforeveryAmerican.TheFirstAmendmentstates:"Congressshallmakenolawrespectinganestablishmentofreligion,orprohibitingthefreeexercisethereof." Yet,religiouslibertycontinuestobecontroversialinitsexecution.Discussionsaboutreligionandpoliticsareoftenpolarizingbecausetheydigdeepintohowpeopleviewtheworld.Astheadagesays,"don'tmixreligionandpolitics." TheFirstAmendmentcompelsthegovernmentnottoshowpreferencetoaspecificreligionortakeawayanindividual'sabilitytoexercisefaith.Italsoensuresthatneitherthestatenorthechurchhasthepowertoruleovereachother.UndertheFirstAmendment,Americanshavetherighttopracticeanyfaithortohavenofaith.Legally,theycandosowithoutfearofgovernmentcoercion,eveninpublic. Inpractice,thefierydisagreementsoverhowfreedomofreligioncanandshouldbeexpressedhaveledtoclashesoverGod'smentioninthePledgeofAllegiance,displayingtheTenCommandmentsinpublicspaces,andbusinessesdenyingservicebasedonreligiousbelief.TheissueisparticularlyprevalentaroundChristianity,whichappearsinmanyaspectsofpubliclifeintheUnitedStates,despitenotbeingtheofficialreligion. Manypeoplewithpro-religiousviewsarguethatreligiousfreedommeanstheyhavearighttomakechoicesaboutwhotheyserveoremployandwhattheydisplayordobasedontheirreligiousvalues.Othersarguethatreligiousfreedommeansnothavingtofollowthetrappingsofaspecificreligioninpublicspacesorrequiredpledges,andalsonotbeingdeniedaccesstogoods,services,orjobsbasedontheirreligiousbeliefs. FurtherReading UniversityofMinnesotaHumanRightsLibrary NPR PewResearchCenter Checkoutwhatyoucandowithalawdegreeifyou'reinterestedinhavingavoiceinthedebate. Animalrightsadvocatesbelievethatanimalsshouldbeabletolivefreefromuseinmedicalresearch,hunting,agriculture,andotherindustriesthatbenefithumans.Thecentralconflicthereisaboutconflictingpriorities:protectinganimalsorservinghumanity'sneeds. AccordingtoGallup,39%ofAmericansconsideranimalresearchimmoral.Gallupfoundfewerpeoplesupportmedicaltestingonanimals,buyingandwearingclothingmadeofanimalfur,andcloninganimalsin2020thantheydidinpreviousyears. Animal-rightsactivistsarguethatanimalsdeservesimilarorequalrightsashumanbeings,freefromcaptivity,abuse,orneglect.Additionally,theanimalrightsmovementbelievesit'simmoraltoeatanimalsorusethemforlaborandresearch.Thisalsoextendstoprotectinganimalhabitatsfromdisplacementordestructionforpurposeslikedredgingrivers,trawling,agriculture,andurbanization. Opponentsofanimalrightsdonottypicallyadvocateforcruelorunnecessaryanimalabuse,buttheybelieveanimalsarenotequaltohumansandthatitismorallyjustifiedtouseanimalstobenefithumansociety.Mostprominently,theybelievethatanimalresearchcanleadtomedicaldiscoveriesandimprovedqualityoflifeforhumans,suchastestingantibodiesonanimalstofightagainstCOVID-19.Theyalsoarguethatanimalsdonotthinkorfeelemotionssuchaspain,fear,orloneliness. Mostpeoplefallsomewherebetweenthesetwoviewpoints.Forexample,manypeoplesupportanimalrights,butstilleatmeat.Othersarerepulsedbyanimalabuse,butstillsupportusinganimalstoadvancemedicalresearch. FurtherReading OxfordUniversityPress JournalofSocialIssues BBC Findoutwhatyoucandowithabiologydegreetohelpresolvethisdebate. Vaccineshaverevolutionizedglobalhealthwithlife-savingimmunityfromcertaindiseases.Polio,smallpox,tetanus,andotherinfectiousdiseasesarenolongerdeadlybecauseofinnovativevaccines. AccordingtotheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC),vaccinespreventthousandsofAmericansfromgettinginfectedbydiseaseseachyear.Immunizationisthebestprotectionagainstthesediseases,especiallyforchildrenwithweakimmunesystems.TheymayalsohelpbringtheCOVID-19pandemictoaspeedierend. Buttherehasbeensomeoppositiontovaccinesinrecentyears.Thepushbackagainstvaccinescomesfordifferentreasons,includingfear,misconceptions,andmistrustofscience.Anti-vaccineactivistsareoftenreferredtoasanti-vaxxers. Someofthemostpersistentargumentsagainstvaccinesincludeawidespreadfearthatvaccinescauseautism,thatnaturalimmunityisbetterthanbeinginoculated,andthatvaccinescontainharmfulchemicals.Overtheyears,publichealthofficials,physicians,andmedicalexpertshavedebunkedtheseclaims. Despitethat,anti-vaxxersstillarguethatvaccinescanbedangerousandcontainhazardousorpoorly-researchedsubstances,creatingrisksthatoutweighthebenefits.Meanwhile,vaccinesupportersbelieveallparentshavearesponsibilitytocomplywithmedicaladviceonvaccineadministration,protectingtheirchildrenandstrengtheningherdimmunityforsocietyasawhole. FurtherReading PewResearchCenter HarvardUniversity CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention Ifyouwanttobeanactivepartofresolvingthisdebate,findoutwhatyoucandowithanursingdegree. Therighttoprivacyisacontroversialissuethatcentersonconflictingprioritiesbetweenindividualprivacyandpublicsafety.Overtheyears,theU.S.governmenthasexpandeditscapacitytoconductmasssurveillanceonitscitizensinthenameofprotectingnationalsecurityinterests. PrivacyrightsadvocatesarguethatgovernmentsurveillanceviolatestheFourthAmendment,whichprohibitsunreasonablesearchandseizures.Theyalsoexpressconcernaboutprivateenterprises,likeGoogleandFacebook,thatcangatherandstorevastamountsofpersonaldata. Thosewhosupportmasssurveillancebelievethatthethreatofterrorismandforeigninterferenceoutweighstherighttoprivacy,arguingthatthegovernmentshouldbeabletoprotectAmericansthroughanymeansnecessary. Sharingpersonalinformationthroughsocialmediaande-commercealsocreatesprivacyissues.Manypeoplewillinglydisclosethingslikefinancialdata,addresses,andcreditrecordstoprivateentities,whichcanthenbehackedbyinternetthieves. FurtherReading StanfordLawReview ScienceDirect AmericanCivilLibertiesUnion Findoutwhatyoucandowithacomputersciencedegreetohelpresolvethisdebate. Therearetwomainviewpointsinthedebateoverfree-marketcapitalism:thosewhofavoreconomicregulationandthosewhopreferafreemarket. AccordingtotheCambridgeJournalofEconomics,marketgovernancemustholda"balancebetweeneconomicandsocialgoalsandbetweenindividualandcommunalgoals."Theidealsystemencouragesefficientbutresponsibleuseofresourcesthatalignswiththeinterestsofindividuals,corporations,andsocietyasawhole. Supportersofregulationbelievethatfreemarketsareinherentlyunstable,unequal,andpronetoboomandbustcycles.Inordertoachieveafunctional,faireconomicsystem,theybelievegovernmentcontrolisnecessary,tosoftentheeffectsofgoodandbadeconomicperiodsandpreventsystemicimbalances. Economistswhofavorafree-marketapproacharguethatgovernmentinterferenceiswhatcausesupsanddownsinthefirstplace.Theyclaimthatregulationmisallocatesresourcesandcreates--ratherthansoftens--marketinstability.Accordingtothem,ahealthymarketwithmaximumlong-termgrowthandfewerhighsandlowscomesfromafreemarket. Otherissuesinthedebateincludeprivatizingpublicresourcesorutilities,thelegislativepushandpulloverregulatoryoversight,andtheoutsizedrolethatmoneyplaysinourpoliticalsystem. FurtherReading HarvardBusinessSchool InternationalMonetaryFund Investopedia Findoutwhatyoucandowithaneconomicsdegreetohelpresolvethisdebate. Thedebateoverglobalclimatechangecentersonaseriesofquestions:Isglobalwarmingreal?Isitcausedmainlybyhumanactivity?Howharmfulisitlikelytobe?Whatcanwedoaboutit? Risingglobaltemperatures,warmingoceans,andshrinkingicesheetsallindicatethatEarthiswarminginresponsetoincreasedgreenhousegaslevels,whicharemostlyduetohuman-madeemissions.Theplanet'saveragesurfacetemperaturehasrisenabout1.62degreesFahrenheitsincethe19thcenturyduetoincreasesincarbondioxideintheatmosphere. Environmentalgroupsbelievehumanshaveamoralobligationtostopclimatechangebeforefuturegenerationspaytheprice.Tothatend,theysupportpoliciesthathelpreversethelong-termeffectsofclimatechange. Someskepticsarguethatthedangersofclimatechangeareexaggerated,whileothersacceptglobalwarmingasrealbutdismissevidencethatsuggestsit'sconnectedtohumanactivity.Thisperspectiveleavesclimatechangeskepticstorejectcallsforregulatorylimitsonemissions,arguingthattheeconomiccostoutweighstheenvironmentalimpact. Globalclimatechangealsoimpactseconomics,politics,andforeignaffairs.Governmentregulation,suppressionofscientificdataforpoliticalgain,andinternationalagreementsonclimatechangeoftenplayaroleinthedebate. FurtherReading BerkeleyEarth NationalAcademiesPress NASA Ifyou'reinterestedinhavingavoiceinthedebate,checkoutwhatyoucandowithadegreeinchemistry. Althoughmostscientistsaccepttheevolutionarytheorythathumansevolvedfromprimates,manyAmericansstillrejectit.AccordingtothePewResearchCenter,about1in5U.S.adultsbelievethatlifeonEarthhasneverchanged. ThosewhosupportevolutionarytheorytendtobelieveinCharlesDarwin'snaturalselectionviews,whichareconsideredtheprimaryprocessbehindevolution.OthersagreewithDarwin'spremise,butprefertousemoremodernscientifictheoriestoexplainhowchangeoccurs. Thepushbackagainstevolutionisoftenrootedinreligion.ThosewhobelievehumanswerecreatedintheimageofGodareoftencalled"creationists."TheycontendthatevolutionarytheoryconflictswithteachingsintheBibleandtheJudeo-ChristianconceptofaGodwhoaltershumanevents.Thisperspectiveissometimescalledthetheoryof"intelligentdesign,"claimingthatlifecouldn'thavearisenbychanceandmusthavebeendesignedbyanomnipotentbeing. Thisdisagreementismostprominentindiscussionsaroundeducation.ManyEvangelicalChristiangroupsresistteachingevolutioninscienceclassesbecauseDarwin'sideasconflictwiththeirworldview.Othersadvocateforincludingintelligentdesigninpublicschoolsciencecurriculaalongsidethescientifictheoryofevolution,whichhassparkeddebateabouttheseparationofchurchandstate. FurtherReading PewResearchCenter PLOSONE NPR Checkoutwhatyoucandowithadegreeinbiologytoactivelyparticipateinthisdebate. Despitebeinglegalin11states,marijuanaisstillhighlycontroversialacrosstheUnitedStates.Themajordebatescenterarounditsusageasamedicineandwhetheritshouldbeavailableforrecreationaluse,likealcohol.Therearecurrently55millionAmericanadults(16.9%)whousemarijuanaintheU.S.,including43%ofcollegestudents. Advocatesviewcannabisuseasapersonalchoiceandarguethatlawsinfringinguponthatchoiceinfringeuponindividualliberties.Theyalsosaythatprohibitionpreventsthoseinneedfromreceivingpropermedicaltreatmentandthatenforcementoftentargetsminoritiesandotherat-riskpopulationsunfairly. Prohibitionistsquestionthevalidityofmarijuana'smedicaluseandbelievetheriskstopublichealth,safety,andcivicorderoutweighanypotentialbenefits.Theyalsofearitwillbecomeagatewaydrugifit'smadelegalforrecreationaluse. Asmorestateshavelegalizedmarijuana,thedebatehasexpanded,withadvocatescallingforclearinglow-levelmarijuanaconvictions,usingmarijuanaasanalternativetoopioids,andexaminingtheeconomicpotentialformarijuanacultivationinagriculture. FurtherReading Examine.com PewResearchCenter HarvardKennedySchool Ifyouwanttoparticipateinresolvingthisdebate,findoutwhatyoucandowithadegreeinpoliticalscience. Capitalpunishment,sometimescalled"thedeathpenalty,"isacriminalsentenceinwhichaconvictedcriminalisdeemedunfitforrehabilitationandexecutedbythestate.Itislegalin28statesandunderfederallaw. Thosewhosupportcapitalpunishmentbelievethatsomecrimesareheinousenoughthatthosewhocommitthemaretoodangeroustobekeptincarcerated.Theyalsobelievethatthedeathpenaltyactsasadeterrentagainstotherwould-becriminalsandprovidesasenseofjusticeforvictims,survivors,andtheirfamilies. Opponentsofcapitalpunishmentcontendthatgovernmentsshouldnothavetheauthoritytodeterminewhohasarighttoliveordie,arguingthathumanlifeistoosignificanttobepenalized--nomatterthecrime.Theyalsopointtoevidencethatthedeathpenaltycanleadtokillinginnocentpeoplebymistake. Thecapitalpunishmentdebatealsotouchesonracialandsocioeconomicinequalitiesinthejusticesystem,ideasaroundrehabilitationandpunishment,andtheeconomicsofincarceration. AccordingtotheDeathPenaltyInformationCenter,22peoplewereexecutedintheUnitedStatesin2019.AccordingtotheCriminalJusticeProjectoftheNAACP,thereare2,620peopleondeathrowasofJan.1,2020. FurtherReading NationalAcademiesPress BBC NewYorkTimes Findoutwhatyoucandowithadegreeincriminaljusticeorlawtoresolvethedebate. In2015,theMarriageEqualityActmadesame-sexmarriagelegaleverywhereintheUnitedStatesandwaslaterupheldbytheSupremeCourt.Evenso,therightsoflesbian,gay,bisexual,transgender,andqueer(LGBTQ+)individualstomarrystillleadtoheateddebates,especiallywithinreligiouscommunities. Thosewhosupportmarriageequalitybelievegenderandsexualorientationshouldnotaffectaccesstorightsunderthelaw,includingmarriagerights.Theybelieveallcouplesdeserveaccesstothesamerecognition,legalrights,andtaxbenefits. Opponentsofmarriageequalityarguethatmarriageisdefinedasbeingbetweenamanandawoman,andallowinganyothertypeofunionunderminestheinstitutionofmarriageandshouldthusbesanctionedbylaw. Mostopponentsofmarriageequalityhaveafaith-basedviewpoint,arguingthatnon-heterosexualromanticrelationshipscontradictteachingsintheBible,makingthemsinfulintheeyesofGod.Theybelievethegovernmentisobligatedtopreventthesemarriages,triggeringfurtherdebateabouttheseparationofchurchandstate. WhilemarriageequalityisthelawintheUnitedStates,thedebateoverLGBTQ+accesstoequaltreatmentcontinues. FurtherReading FloridaLawReview PNAS YaleLawSchool Checkoutwhatyoucandowithadegreeincriminaljusticeorlawtoactivelyparticipateinthisdebate. ImmigrationreformconcernsrulesaroundhowimmigrantscanlegallyenterandstayintheUnitedStates.Thegovernment'sstanceonimmigrationrestrictionsoftenchangeswithpresidentialadministrations,duetoideologicaldifferencesbetweenthetwomajorpoliticalparties.TherateofimmigrationtotheU.S.hasbeenexacerbatedbyasylum-seekers,escapinggangactivity,drugviolence,civilunrest,andhumantraffickinginLatinAmerica. SomebelievethattheU.S.shouldpermitentrytoallpeoplewhocomeinsearchofopportunity,freedom,andabetterlife.Theyalsosupportpoliciesthatcreatemoreaccessiblepathwaystocitizenship,evenforthosewhoarrivedillegally,andprotestagainstconditionsinimmigrationdetentioncenters,believingthemtobehumanrightsviolations. Othersworrythatillegalentryintothecountry--orevenexcessivelegalentry--willstraintheeconomyandposeathreattonationalsecurity.Theypreferrestrictiveimmigrationpoliciesandtighterbordercontrolmeasurestoreduceimmigrationandpreventillegalimmigration. TheTrumpadministrationattemptedtoenactimmigrationreformbydismantlingtheDeferredActionforChildhoodArrivals(DACA)program,whichcreatesapathtocitizenshipforundocumentedimmigrantsbroughttotheU.S.aschildren.ButinJuly2020,theU.S.SupremeCourtuphelddeportationprotectionsforDACArecipients.TrumpalsotemporarilyblockedinternationalstudentsfromreturningtotheU.S.tostudyduringthecoronaviruspandemic.PresidentBidensupportsDACA. FurtherReading TheAtlantic PewResearchCenter Investopedia Learnmoreaboutgoingtocollegeasanundocumentedorimmigrantstudentwithourresourcespage. DonaldTrump'spresidencywasaconstantsourceofcontroversy.Hisabrasiveleadershipstyle,tone,andmethodsinofficeweredramaticallydifferentfromhispredecessors,drawinganunprecedentedlevelofirefromcitizenswhoopposedhim.Hewasimpeachedin2019afterhepressuredUkrainetosmearthen-Democratic-presidential-hopefulJoeBiden,andimpeachedagaininJanuary2021afterhissupportersbreachedtheU.S.Capitolbuilding. AsofJuly2020,PresidentTrumphadmademorethan20,000falseormisleadingclaims.Thisincludedfalsehoodsaboutthecoronaviruspandemic,fringeconspiracytheories,hisimpeachmenttrial,andprotestsoverthedeathofGeorgeFloyd. Healsoclashedwithworldleaders,openlysupportedwhitesupremacists,andignoredevidenceofRussianinterferenceinthe2016and2020elections.ThosewhosupportedPresidentTrumpoftendeniedhispaststatementsorclaimedthatthemediamisrepresentedhim--despiteevidencetothecontrary. TheTrumpAdministration'spoliciesincludedmoresubstantialimmigrationrestrictions,protectionsfortheSecondAmendment,andnationalistidentitypolitics.Trump'ssupportersviewedhimasapoliticaloutsiderwhoseunconventionalstyleandbehaviorwereaneededdisruptionoftraditionalpolitics. Trump'sopponentsfiercelycriticizedhimformishandlingthecoronaviruspandemic,racerelations,andconstitutionallaw.HisopponentsalsoviewhispresidencyasadangerousdeviationfromnormativeAmericanvaluesaboutexecutiveauthority,democraticrule,andgeneralpoliticalcivility. Trump'sopponentsadvocateforprogressivepoliciesthatclashwithhisconservativeviewpoints,includinghumaneimmigrationreform,enhancedenvironmentalprotections,andstricterguncontrollaws. FurtherReading BrookingsInstitute PewResearchCenter Statista Findoutwhatyoucandowithapoliticalsciencedegreetohelpresolvethisdebate. TheopioidcrisisintheUnitedStatesreferstoanepidemiccausedbyopioids,aclassofdrugsthatincludeprescriptionpainrelievers,heroin,andthesyntheticopioidfentanyl.Theprevalenceofthesedrugshasresultedinmisuse,addiction,and400,000deathsfromoverdoseoverthepasttwodecades. AccordingtotheAmericanSocietyofInterventionalPain(ASIP),thecrisisfirstbeganintheearly1990sfollowingariseinprescribingopioidsaslegalpainkillersforchronicpain.Opioidsarehighlyaddictive,andoverthenext30years,addictiontothemspiraledoutofcontrol. AccordingtotheNationalInstituteofDrugAbuse(NIDA),128Americansdiedperdayin2018fromoverdosingonopioids.NIDAconsidersit"aseriousnationalcrisisthataffectspublichealthaswellassocialandeconomicwelfare." Thereismuchdebateabouthowtohandletheepidemic.AccordingtoASIP,manyargumentsinfavorofopioidsarebasedon"traditions,expertopinion,practicalexperience,anduncontrolledanecdotalobservations." Publichealthadvocateshavepushedfortighterregulationsonprescriptionpainrelievers;improvedaccesstoprevention,treatment,andrecoverysupportservices;andfurtherresearchintotheeffectsofaddiction. Therehavebeenhigh-profiletrialsoverwhoshouldpayfordamagecausedbynarcoticpainkillersinrecentyears.Theyoftenpitmanufacturersofpainrelieversagainstcounties,cities,andindividualsaffectedbythecrisis. FurtherReading ScientificReports RAND NationalInstituteonDrugAbuse Youcanhelpsupportthosewithopioidaddictionwithadegreeinaddictionrecovery. Transgenderrightsaimtoprotectindividualswhoidentifyasagenderthatisdifferentfromtheoneassignedtothematbirth.Theyarguethathumanrightsshouldapplyequallytoallpeople,includingthosewhoaretransgender,cisgender,non-binary,orintersex. AccordingtotheAmericanCivilLibertiesUnion(ACLU),transgenderpeoplefacediscriminationineducation,housing,militaryservice,creditaccess,andhealthcarebasedontheirgenderidentityorgenderexpression.Thereare1.4milliontransadultswholiveintheU.S. NearlyhalftheUnitedStatesdoesnothavelegalprotectionsforLGBTQ+employees.InJune2020,theSupremeCourtruledthatitisillegalforemployerstofireordiscriminateagainstanemployeebecausetheyareLGBTQ+.The6-to-3decisionwasalandmarkvictoryfortransgenderrights. Transgenderadvocatesworktostrengthenandexpandlegalprotectionsinschools,healthcare,theworkplace,andcommonlaw.Opponentsoftransgenderrightspushbackagainsttheideathatpeopleshouldhavetherighttoidentifyasagenderotherthantheirassignedbirthgender. Religionisoftenamajorsourceofanti-transgendersentiment.AccordingtothePewResearchCenter,63%ofU.S.Christiansdisagreethatsomeonecanbeagenderdifferentfromthesexassignedtothematbirth. FurtherReading OxfordAcademic PNAS Research&Politics LearnmoreabouttheissuesimpactingtransgenderindividualswithourresourcepageforLGBTQ+students. Thefederalminimumwage--$7.25perhour--isthelegalminimumthatemployersmustpayworkersintheUnitedStates,withsomeexceptions,likefortippedpositions.AlivablewageistheminimumhourlypayneededforanAmericanworking40hoursperweektobeabletoaffordtheUnitedStates'basicstandardofliving. Thefederalminimumwagehasnotincreasedsince2009,andmorethanhalfthestatesandWashington,D.C.,haveminimumwagessethigherthanthefederalminimum.Mostofthedebatearoundminimumwagefocusesonwhetherithaskeptpacewithinflationandtherisingcostofliving--essentially,whetherthefederalminimumwageisalivablewage. Laboradvocates,uniongroups,andsocialjusticegroupslargelysupportraisingthefederalminimumwagetoaccountforrisinglivingcosts.TheybelievethatahigherminimumwagewillalleviatehomelessnessandpovertyintheUnitedStates. Democratshavecalledfortheratetoberaisedto$15perhouroverthenextfiveyears.Theirplanwouldalsoincreasethebasehourlywagefortippedworkersandworkersunderage20andendasubminimumwagesystemthataffectsworkerswithseveredisabilities. Opponentsofahigherminimumwagearguethatsuchapayhikewouldburdensmall-businessownerswithheavyoperatingcosts,accordingtotheSocietyforHumanResourceManagement(SHRM).Otherssayhavingafederalrateatallisnothelpfulbecausecostoflivingvariesacrossthecountry. FurtherReading Investopedia UCLAAndersonReview PewResearchCenter Findoutwhatyoucandowithaneconomicsdegreetohelpresolvethisdebate. Whitesupremacyisabeliefthatwhitepeopleareasuperiorracewiththerighttodominatesocietyattheexpenseofotherracialandethnicgroups.WhitesupremacyhasmorphedintoapoliticalideologythataffectssocioeconomicandlegalstructureswithintheUnitedStates. Inrecentyears,whitenationalismgainedpoliticaltractionintheUnitedStates--evenintheWhiteHouse.FormerPresidentDonaldTrumpiswidelycondemnedforpromotingracism,bigotry,andhatespeechthroughanti-Black,anti-immigrant,andanti-Muslimsentiments. WhitesupremacistsoftenclashwithpeopleofAfricanancestry,indigenouspeoples,Muslims,andJewishpeople.Thisracialviolencehasledtonumerousactsofright-wingterrorism.AccordingtotheAnti-DefamationLeague(ADL),right-ringextremistskilled38peoplein2019--76%ofallextremist-relatedmurdersthatyear.Theseperpetratorstypicallyself-identifywithideologiesthatincludeneo-Nazis,neo-fascists,andneo-Confederates. WhitesupremacistsheavilycoalescedaroundtheremovalofConfederatemonumentsamidsttheaftermathofthepolicekillingofGeorgeFloydin2020.Themonumentshavelongdrawnireforhonoringtheinstitutionofslavery. Opponentsofthewhitenationalistmovementtypicallyadvocateforstricterhatecrimelaws,openimmigrationreform,andprotectionagainstracialorreligiousdiscrimination.Theyalsopushforgreateraccesstoeconomicpowerformarginalizedracialgroupsandforreparationsforslave-descendedAmericans. Thereisalsoanongoingdebateoverhowtoclassifywhitenationalistviolenceandactivities,withopponentsofthewhitenationalistmovementcallingforsuchactionstobeclassifiedasdomesticterrorism. FurtherReading TheAtlantic NationalMuseumofAfricanAmericanHistory&Culture TheHarvardGazette CheckoutFightingRacismWithYourDegreetolearnmorewaystohaveavoiceinthedebate. TheGreenNewDealreferstoacongressionalresolutionputforthbyprogressivepoliticiansin2018toconfrontglobalclimatechange. Theresolutionincludesstepstocurbemissions,imposeenvironmentalregulations,andexplorealternativefuelandenergysources.Italsoaimstoprovidenew,high-payingjobsincleanenergyindustries.ButtheGreenNewDealhasbeenstymiedbyclimatechangedeniers,conservativepoliticians,andlobbyistswithbusinessinterestsinfossil-fuelindustries. SupportersoftheGreenNewDealviewglobalclimatechangeasalegitimatethreattoalllifeonEarth.Theyalsoseeitasanenergeticpathtorestructuringourlifestyle,economy,andjobmarketaroundmoresustainable,fair,andenvironmentallysoundpoliciesandinitiatives. OpponentsoftheGreenNewDealtypicallydon'tbelieveinclimatechangeordownplayitslong-termeffects.RepublicansoftenshootdownenvironmentallegislationliketheGreenNewDealbecausetheyfearitwillaffecttheirfossil-fuelinterests. FurtherReading TheBalance AspenInstitute Investopedia Ifyouwanttobeanactivepartofresolvingthisdebate,consideradegreeinpublicpolicy. TwoofAmerica'spastfourpresidents--DonaldTrumpandGeorgeW.Bush--wereelectedpresidentdespitelosingthepopularvote.ThisresultwasmainlyduetotheElectoralCollege. Thisstate-by-statedelegatesystemassignselectoralvotesavailableforpresidentialcandidatestoeachstatebasedonitspopulation.Itsoriginalpurposewastoensurethatsmallerandlesspopulousstateswouldnotbedisenfranchisedbybiggerstates. Inmoststates,candidatesonlyneedtowinthepopularvotetowinallofitsassignedelectoralvotes.Trumpwonsevenofthe11largeststatesin2016andwasthusawardedmoreelectoralvotesthanHillaryClinton,despitelosingtheoverallpopularvotebythewidestmargininU.S.history:2.8millionvotes. Thisdiscrepancyhasmeantthattheelectoralsystemhasgeneratedsignificantcontroversyovertheyears.Thereismuchdebateaboutwhetherbigstatescanactuallycontrolelectionoutcomeswithoutit. Supportersoftheelectoralcollegedefenditsoriginalrationale,arguingthatitensuressmallerandlesspopulousstateshavefederalrepresentation.Otherssayitpreventslargestatesfromdominatingvotesforthepresidency. Opponentsoftheelectoralcollegearguethesystemisflawedbecauseittoooftencontradictsthepopularvote.Manyhavecalledforeliminatingtheelectoralcollegealtogether;tothatend,16U.S.stateshavesignedontotheNationalPopularVotebill,whichaimstooverridetheelectoralcollegebyhavingallofitssignatoriespledgetheirdelegatestothecandidatewhowinsthepopularvote. FurtherReading NPR AppalachianStateUniversity ProCon.org Ifyouwanttoparticipateinresolvingthisdebate,findoutwhatyoucandowithadegreeinpoliticalscience. TheBlackLivesMatter(BLM)movementisapoliticalmovementtoresistpolicebrutalityagainstBlackpeople.BLMbeganinresponsetorepeatedinstancesoflawenforcementfacinglittletonolegalrepercussionsforuse-of-forceincidentsthatresultedinaBlackperson'sdeath. BLMhasgrownintooneofthemostmassivemovementsinU.S.history.Recentpollsfoundthatbetween15to26millionAmericansparticipatedinBLMdemonstrationsin2020overthedeathsofGeorgeFloyd,ElijahMcClain,BreonnaTaylor,andothervictimsofpolicebrutality. SupportersofthemovementconsiderpolicebrutalitytobeaformofoppressionagainstBlackpeople,arguingthatitisonesymptomofinequalitiesinlegal,judicial,andsocioeconomicstatus.AdvocatesalsobelievethatfailuretoprosecuteofficersforusingexcessiveforcedemonstratesthatBlacklivesarelessvaluedthanwhitelives.BLMhasproposeddefundingpolice,reforminglawenforcement,investinginunderservedcommunities,andholdingofficersaccountableforracialbiasandbrutality. CriticsbelievethatBLMisanunfaircondemnationoflawenforcement.Theyarguethatdefundingpoliceorchangingtheirtacticswouldunderminetheirabilitytoupholdthelawunderdangerouscircumstances.OtherspointtoBlack-on-Blackcrimeasjustificationforanti-Blackattitudes,whiledismissingorignoringactsofviolencebywhitepeoplethatspecificallytargetBlackpeople.TheBlueLivesMatterandAllLivesMatterssloganswereadoptedtoreflectthispro-policestance. FurtherReading PrincetonUniversityLibrary PewResearchCenter TheConversation.com Collegestudentscanadvocateforracialequitywithinspecificacademicfields.CheckoutFightingRacismWithYourDegreetolearnmore. Cancelculturereferstorapidboycottsofpublicfigures,companies,andmediaaftertheysayordosomethingconsideredobjectionableoroffensive.Cancelcultureusuallystemsfromcall-outsonsocialmedia,whichcanspiralintomassshamingorharassmentcampaigns. Proponentsconsiderthemovementaformofsocialjusticeformarginalizedgroups.Theypointtothesweeping#MeToomovement,whichusedahashtagtoempowerwomenvictimizedbysexualabuse,sexualassault,andrapetosharetheirstories.OthertargetsincludestatuesofConfederateleaders,whichwereremovedduringBlackLivesMatterprotests,mainlyduetoonlinecriticismdeemingthemracist. Cancelculturehasalsocondemnedhigh-profilefiguresaccusedofsexualmisconduct,racistjokes,ortransphobicbeliefs.It'salsousedtoholdwhitepeopleaccountableforracist,entitled,ordemandingbehaviorfollowingviralsocialmediaposts. Supportersarguethatcancelcultureisalong-overduewayofspeakingtruthtopower,enablingmarginalizedpeopletoresistlong-standingformsofabuseandprejudice.Thecall-outsoftenchallengehistoricalinequalitiesandbringgreateraccountabilitytothoseinpositionsofpower. Criticsofcancelculturebelieveitisanunfairandindiscriminaterushtojudgmentthatrelieson"mobmentality."Somehavelikenedcancelculturetoawitchhuntagainstpublicfiguresforvariouspersonal,political,andideologicalreasons.Othershavesaidcancelingsomeonecanbeanoverlydisruptiveformofintolerance. FurtherReading Merriam-Webster Insider TheHarvardGazette Findoutwhatyoucandowithapoliticalsciencedegreetobetterunderstandthisissue. Thestudentdebtcrisisreferstothe$1.6trillionincollectivestudentloandebtowedbycollegegradsordropoutsintheUnitedStates.In2019,theaveragegraduatewithabachelor'sdegreehad$29,900instudentdebt.AccordingtoTheBrookingsInstitution,almost40%ofborrowersmaydefaultontheirstudentloansby2023.SomearguethattheproblemreflectsarisingnumberofAmericansobtainingmoreeducation,whileotherspointtohistoricallyhightuitionratesastheculprit. Thereisanongoingdebateaboutthestructureofstudentloans,risingtuition,andtheworthofacollegedegree.Some,includingDemocraticsenatorsBernieSandersandElizabethWarren,believeallfederalstudentdebtshouldbecanceled,whileothersarguethatitisindicativeofgreatereducationaloutcomesandthatcancelingitwouldbeunfair. Opponentsofmassdebtcancellationconsiderthedebtloadtobeanecessaryburdenthatleadstoincreasedaveragelifetimeincomes.Criticsalsocitethefactthatmonthlypaymentshavestayedconsistentoverthepasttwodecades,allowingdebtorstocarrymoreextensivedebt. Supportersofcancelingstudentdebtbelievethecrisiswascausedby"failedgovernmentpolicies,notrecklessnessonthepartofstudents,"accordingtotheWallStreetJournal.Proponentsalsosaystudentloandebtweighsdowntheeconomy,leadingtodelayedhomebuying,marriage,andwealthformation. Thecentralquestioniswhetherthegovernmentisobligatedtohelppayoffstudentdebtorifitremainscollegestudents'responsibility. FurtherReading NPR Forbes NewYorkTimes Ifyouwanttolearnmoreaboutstudentloansandstudentdebt,checkoutTheStudentFinancialAidSource. TheongoingconflictbetweenIsraeliandPalestinianpeoplehasbeenacontroversialgeopoliticalissuefordecades.TheconflictisrootedincompetingclaimstotheHolyLand,andspecificallytheWestBank,whichincludesJerusalemandhasdeeptiestoMuslim,Jewish,andChristianfaiths.Disputesoverborders,accesstoJerusalem,security,andPalestinianrefugeeshaveledtooneofthemostintractableconflictsintheworld. TheUnitedNations,EuropeanUnion,andtheUnitedStateshaveintervenedintheIsraeli-Palestinianconflict,withtheU.S.astrongsupporterofIsrael.Jewish,Christian,andconservativeadvocatesintheU.S.tendtoviewIsraelasacriticaldemocraticpartnerinanIslamicregion.However,theU.S.hasalsotriedtobrokeradiplomaticsolutionthatwouldresultintwostatesforIsraelandPalestine. DetractorsbelievethatIsraelisguiltyofhumanrightsviolationsagainstPalestinians.TheyconsiderIsraeltobeinthewrongforoccupyingtheWestBank,expandingJewishsettlementsintoPalestinianterritories,andimplementingdomesticpoliciesthatmarginalizeArabandMuslimpopulations.Thesecriticsincludeglobalhumanrightswatchgroups,Muslimgroups,andprogressivepoliticalleaders. AmericancriticsofIsraeloftenbelievethattheU.S.hasaresponsibilityasIsrael'sallytoholditaccountableforitsactions.ManyofthemcharacterizeIsrael'scurrentpoliciestowardPalestiniansascounter-productivetolastingpeace. FurtherReading USIP Vox GlobalPolicyForum Lookintowhatyoucandowithalegalstudiesdegreetoactivelyresolvethisissue. UniversalhealthcareistheideathatallAmericansshouldhaveaccesstoaffordable,qualityhealthcare,regardlessoftheirincomeorfinancialresources.UniversalhealthcaresystemsalreadyexistincountrieslikeSweden,HongKong,andKuwait,wherethelocalandfederalgovernmentpaysformostcostsassociatedwithhealthcarecoverage. WhilethedemandforhealthcarereformintheUnitedStates--especiallyduetotheCOVID-19pandemic--isverypopular,theideaofuniversalhealthcarecontinuestobeacontroversialdebatetopic.Widespreaddisagreementoverhowtocontrolhighinsurancecosts,bureaucratictreatmentobstacles,anddeepsocioeconomicinequalitieshasleadtoconflict. Thosewhosupportuniversalhealthcarearguethataccesstoaffordable,qualityhealthcareshouldbeafundamentalright.Theywanttosupplantthecurrentstratifiedandeconomicallyunequalinsurancesystemwithamorefair,accessible,andefficienthealthcaresystem. Opponentsofuniversalhealthcarearguethatitwouldinviteunwantedgovernmentinvolvementinhealthcareadministration,ultimatelyleadingtosystemicinefficienciesandaviolationofindividualfreedomtochoose.Corporateleadersintheinsurance,healthcare,andpharmaceuticalsectorsoftenpushbackagainstuniversalhealthcarebecauseitinterfereswithprofitabilityandfree-marketeconomicswithinthehealthcareindustry. FurtherReading HealthAffairs TheBalance HarvardMedicalSchool Findoutwhatyoucandowithadegreeinhealthcareadministrationtoactivelyparticipateinthisdebate. ViewMore EvanThompson EvanThompsonisaWashington-basedwriterforTBScoveringhighereducation.HehasbylinesintheSeattleTimes,TacomaNewsTribune,EverettHerald,andothersfromhispastlifeasanewspaperreporter. Learnmore,domore. Moretopic-relevantresourcestoexpandyourknowledge. Popularwithourstudents. Highlyinformativeresourcestokeepyoureducationjourneyontrack. Takethenextsteptowardyourfuturewithonlinelearning. Discoverschoolswiththeprogramsandcoursesyou’reinterestedin,andstartlearningtoday.