The 30 Most Controversial Topics for Your Position Paper

The Top 30 Controversial Topics. Abortion; Affirmative Action; Artificial Intelligence; Atheism; Black Lives Matter; Censorship and Freedom of ... StartYourDegreeHereAdvertisementIwantmySelectaDegreeLevelAssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctorateCourseGraduateCertificateUndergraduateCertificateInSelectaCategoryBusinessTechnologyCriminalJustice&LegalHealth&MedicineEducationLiberalArts&HumanitiesPublicAffairs&SocialSciencesMath,Science&EngineeringReligiousStudiesFineArts&DesignVocationalTrainingFocusingonSelectaSubcategorySearchProgramsThe30MostControversialTopicsforYourPositionPaperByDaveTomarPublished:Dec,152020Updated:Aug,22022Controversyiseverywhere,fromthenewswewatchandtheentertainmentweconsumetothepoliticianswesupportand...well...thepoliticianswedespise.Butwhatarethemostcontroversialtopics?Whatarethemostdebatedtopics?Whicharethedebatetopicsthatmostsharplydivideus,andwhicharethepublicdebatesthatactuallydefineus?WeanswerthatquestionwithanempiricalrankinglistofThe30MostControversialTopics,andwithit,afocusedbutcompletelyobjectiveexplorationofeachofthesubjectsthatgeneratesthegreatestpublicdebateintheU.S.today.TheTop30ControversialTopicsAbortionAffirmativeActionArtificialIntelligenceAtheismBlackLivesMatterCensorshipandFreedomofSpeechCharterSchoolsCivilRightsClimateChangeCOVIDVaccineMandatesCriticalRaceTheoryDeathPenalty/CapitalPunishmentElectoralCollegeExtremismForeignAidGunControlHackingHealthInsuranceLaborUnionsMarijuanaLegalizationMinimumWageNuclearEnergyOutsourcingPoliceBrutalityReligiousFreedomReparationsSocialSecurityTrumpandtheBigLieVaccinesWomen’sRightsIfyouvisiteachdebatetopic’spage,youwillfindastudyguidethatincludes:Abreakdownoftheleadingpositionsinthecontroversialtopic;AbriefhistoryofthecontroversyinAmericanlife;Alistofthemostinfluentialpeopleandmostinfluentialbooksintherecenthistoryofthecontroversy;Aglimpseatthecurrentstatusofthecontroversialtopic;andAvettedselectionofkeypeopleonallsidesofthedebatetopictoday.Takentogether,eachexplorationoffersastrongstartingpointforyourresearchononeofthetopcontroversies.Youwilllearnhowtostudysuccessfullyforyourresearchassignments.Readonforexamplesofcontroversialtopicsforyournextpositionpaper,persuasiveessay,orevenforastartingpointonyourgraduatethesis...InThisArticle:WhatIsControversy?The30MostControversialTopicsOvertheLast25YearsHowDidWeChoosetheseControversies?What’sMissingandWhy?LimitationsDiggingIntoControversy:HowWeDoItADADControversyiseverywhere.It’suptoeachofustodecideourlevelofinvolvementinthepublicdebate.Collegeoffersanamazingopportunitytoexplorethesecontroversies,todeterminewhereyoufitintotheconversation.Theuniversityisaplacewherewearetaughttoquestionourownassumptions,challengedtodefendourideas,andtrainedtoprobeforamorecompleteunderstandingoftheissuesdefiningourtimes.Collegeisalsoanenvironmentwherefreespeech,opendiscourse,andinformeddebatearemeanttoflourish.Embeddedinalloftheseexperiencesistheinevitabilityofdisagreement.Controversyplaysanimportantroleintheexperienceofhighereducation-whetheryourfuturecareerisdefinedbytheideologicalpositionsyoustakeouttoday,oryou’vesimplybeenassignedanessayonahighlycontroversialtopic.That’swhywe’vedecidedtotakecontroversybythehorns.Whereveryouareinyoureducationaljourney,youshouldnotonlyanticipate,butembrace,theopportunitytoexploretopicsthatgeneratecontroversy.Ourspotlightoneachcontroversialtopicincludesanoverviewofthesubjectmatter,keypointsofdisagreement,andalookattheroleandimpactofmajorinfluencers.Useitasawaytobeginyourstudyonasubject,formulateyourownposition,andevenconnectpersonallywithprofessors,activists,andthoughtleaderswhoholdinfluenceoverthesubjectmatter.WhatIsControversy?Controversyisaprolongedpublicdisputeordebate.Controversyistypicallyplayedoutthroughpublicchannelslikenewsmedia,electoralpolitics,andsocialmedia.Whatperhapsmostdistinguishescontroversyfrommeredisagreementistheheated,sometimesemotional,andoftendiametricallyopposedviewpointsthatframeagivenissue.Attheriskofbeingglib,it’shardtofindawordthatbettercapturespubliclifeinAmericatoday.Weexistinastateofperpetualcontroversy-fromtheCivilWartoCivilRights;fromgunsandGodtolibertyandjustice,Americaissharplydividedalonglinesofdebatethatfeelverypersonal,veryemotional,andindeed,extremelyheated.Controversy,asaconcept,canrefertoanynumberofissuesthateitherimpactlargecross-sectionsoftheAmericanpopulationorelsemovelargepopulationstoalignalongrigidly-definedideologicallines.Whenwehearthewordcontroversy,wemayreflexivelythinkabouttopicslikeabortion,thedeathpenalty,orguncontrol-subjectsthatengenderstrongenoughdisagreementtogenerateorganization,politicalaction,andlegislation-oftenpushingtowardoneextremeortheotherinagivenpublicdebate.Educators—Thinkyourstudentsaren'tcheating?PreparetobeDISTURBED!😱Getthebookhere…ADEducators—Thinkyourstudentsaren'tcheating?PreparetobeDISTURBED!😱Getthebookhere…ADBacktoTopThe30MostControversialTopicsOvertheLast25Years1CivilRightsTheCivilRightsMovementreferstooneofthemostconsequentialstrugglesinAmericanhistory,onethatcontinuestopresentdate.CivilRightsrefertothefreedoms,liberties,andprotectionsunderthelawthataremeanttobeaccordedtoallpeople.ButcivilrightsadvocatesarguethatracialinequalityisingrainedinAmericanlifethroughrealitieslikeeconomicdisenfranchisement,policebrutality,andmassincarceration.TheCivilRightscontroversypitsgroups,organizations,andcommunitieswhoadvocateforgreaterracialequalityagainstthosewhoworktomaintainoradvanceawhiteracialhierarchy.LearnmoreabouttheCivilRightsControversy.2CensorshipandFreedomofSpeechTheFirstAmendmentintheBillofRightsprotectsthefreedomofspeech,freedomofassembly,freedomofreligiousexpression,andtherighttoafreepressagainstgovernmentrestriction.AsakeycomponentintheveryfirstarticleoftheBillofRights,freespeechisamongthemostcherishedandfrequently-citedprotectionsbuiltintotheU.S.Constitution.However,becausethecontentofthatspeechandexpressionmayitselfprovokesharpdisagreement,thetruecontroversyinthisissueextendsfromdifferingideasaboutwhatconstitutes“protectedspeech”aswellasthemethodsthatshouldorshouldn’tbeusedtolimitfreespeech.ThisunderscoresthedebatearoundFreedomofSpeechandCensorship.LearnmoreabouttheCensorshipandFreedomofSpeechControversy.3ClimateChangeTheclimatechangedebateconcernstheimpactofhumanactivityontheearth’stemperature,aswellasitsimpactonweatherpatterns,plant-life,wildlife,andhumanhealth.Ononesideofthedebate,mostinthescientificcommunitybelievethathumanactivityisresponsibleforclimatechange.Ontheotherside,somejournalists,politicalleaders,andindustryadvocatesargueeitherthatglobalclimatechangeisnotactuallyoccurring,orthatshiftsinclimatearenaturalmeteorologicalpatternsunrelatedtohumanactivity.Somealsoarguethateconomicimperativesshouldbeprioritizedoverenvironmentalconcerns.LearnmoreabouttheClimateChangeControversy.4DeathPenalty/CapitalPunishmentCapitalpunishmentreferstotheuseofthedeathpenaltyasaformoflegalpunishmentadministeredbythestate.CapitalpunishmentintheU.S.haslongbeenthesubjectofconstitutional,philosophicalandpracticaldisagreement,andassuch,hasbeensubjecttolegalfluctuation.Asofthetimeofwriting,theUnitedStatesisoneof56nationsworldwide,andoneofjustfourdevelopeddemocracies(alongsideJapan,Taiwan,andSingapore)whichusesdeathpenalty.TheU.S.isalsotheonlydevelopedWesternnationtoemploycapitalpunishment.LearnmoreabouttheDeathPenaltyandCapitalPunishmentControversy.5AbortionAbortionreferstotheactofterminatingapregnancybeforeitcanbecarriedtoterm.TheabortioncontroversyconcernstheongoingdebateandbattleoverthelegalstatusofabortionintheU.S.,bothatthestateandnationallevels.AbortionisamongthemostdivisiveissuesinAmericanpublicdiscourse.Viewsonabortionoftencarryreligious,political,andculturalovertones.Thedebateislargelyframedbytwocompetingviews:ThePro-Choiceview,thatabortionisawoman’sconstitutionally-protectedright;andthePro-Lifeview,thatabortionisimmoral,andthatthegovernmentshouldhavetherighttorestrictand/orpunishabortion.LearnmoreabouttheAbortionControversy.Sponsored6SocialSecuritySocialSecurityreferstothefederalsocialinsuranceprogramintheUnitedStates,whichprovidesfinancialandmedicalbenefitstoolderAmericans,aswellasthedisabledandsomewhohavebeenwidowedororphanedbyworkingageadults.AllworkingAmericanscontributetoSocialSecuritythroughadedicatedpayrolltax.TheSocialSecuritycontroversyreferstoacomplexeconomicandphilosophicaldebateoverhowSocialSecurityshouldbefunded,dispersed,andmanaged.Someadvocateforitscontinuityasafederalprogramwhileothersarguethatsocialsecurityshouldbeprivatizedandremovedfromgovernmentcontrol.LearnmoreabouttheSocialSecurityControversy.7ArtificialIntelligenceArtificialintelligence(AI),inthesimplestterms,referstocomputingwhichaimstomimichumancognitivefunctionslikelearning,problemsolving,andadaptationtoenvironmentalconditions.Withtheevolutionofcomputerscience,computingmachineshaveacceleratedintheircapacitytodemonstrate“intelligence”inareassuchasreasoning,planning,naturallanguageprocessing,perception,andmuchmore.LearnmoreabouttheArtificialIntelligenceControversy.8HealthInsuranceHealthInsurancereferstofinancialcoverageforhealthcareexpenses.HealthcoverageisamongthemostintenselydebatedsubjectsinAmericanlife,bothbecauseofthegenerallyhighcostofhealthcareexpenses,andbecauseaccesstocoveragevariessignificantlybasedonemploymentandsocioeconomicstatus.SomeAmericansbelievethegovernmentshouldtakegreaterresponsibilityforthemillionswhoareuninsuredorunderinsured,withmanyarguingthattheUnitedStatesshouldprovideuniversalhealthcoverageforallAmericans.Bycontrast,othersbelievethatpayingforhealthcoverageshouldbetheindividualresponsibilityofeveryAmerican,andarguethatuniversalhealthcarecoverageisasocialistpolicy.LearnmoreabouttheHealthInsuranceControversy.9Women’sRightsWomen’sRightsreferstotheongoingmovementintheU.S.toimprovegenderequitythroughlegislation,activism,publicservice,politicalparticipation,andmore.TheUnitedStateswasfoundedasapatriarchy,restrictingwomenfromowningproperty,voting,orenjoyingtherightsofcitizenship.Thewomen’srightsmovementusesactivism,policyadvocacy,andnon-profitorganizationtoimprovegenderequality,whereastheopponentsofthismovementmayarguethatgenderequalityalreadyexists,orthatwomenarebiologicallyunequaltomenandthereforedeservingofsecondarystatus.LearnmoreabouttheWomen’sRightsControversy.10ReligiousFreedomOnitssurface,thecontroversyoverreligiousfreedomintheU.S.concernstherightofindividualstopracticetheirreligionfreelyandwithoutinfringementbyindividuals,groups,orthegovernment.ButsincethedawnofAmericanhistory,thedebateoverreligiouslibertyhasbeencloudedbyconflictsbetweendifferentgroupsandbeliefsystems,especiallywhenthebeliefsystemofonegrouprisksdiscriminationagainstanothergroup.Whiletherighttopracticeone’sreligionisacoreConstitutionalprotection,debatepersistsoverthemeaningofreligiousfreedomandwhetherthisfreedomcanbeusedtoexemptgroupsfromcertainlaws,includinganti-discriminationlaws.LearnmoreabouttheReligiousFreedomControversy.Sponsored11MinimumWageMinimumwagereferstothelowesthourlywagethatanemployermaylegallypayanemployeeunderstateandfederallaw.ThecontroversyovertheminimumwageconcernsthebeliefthatalivingwageshouldbeafundamentalrightforallAmericanworkersandisopposedbythebeliefthatregulatorycontroloverwagethresholdsriskimposingundueeconomicburdensonemployerswithpotentiallydeleteriouseffectsontheeconomyasawhole.LearnmoreabouttheMinimumWageControversy.12AtheismAtheismisdefinedastheabsenceofabeliefindeities,ortherejectionofabeliefindeities,orthebeliefthatnodeitiesexist.Thesenuancesunderscorethecomplexityofindividualviewsonreligionandtheology,andbyextension,thecomplexityofthisdebate.Thecontroversyoveratheismconcernsdisagreementbetweenthosewhobelieveintheexistenceofdeitiesandthosewhodonotbelieveintheexistenceofdeities,andmorespecifically,howthesedivergentbeliefsshouldbetreatedinpublicspaces.Asaresult,thiscontroversytouchescloselyonissuesofreligiousfreedom,theseparationofchurchandstate,andfreedomofexpression.LearnmoreabouttheAtheismControversy.13ReparationsReparationsforslaveryreferstotheideaofcompensatingthevictimsofAfricanslaveryandtheirdescendantsfortheabusessufferedunderU.S.law.TheideaofreparationsforthevictimsofAfricanslaveryinAmericaemergedasearlyasthecolonialera,buttookonparticularrelevanceaftertheCivilWarandtheEmancipationProclamation.Whilesomeindividualformerslavesandtheirdescendantshavereceivedreparationsofsometype,thevastmajorityhavenot,owingtotheabsenceofanylastingorcomprehensivefederalpolicy.Thisabsencekeepsthereparationscontroversyrelevant,asadvocates,activists,andpublicleaderscontinuetocallfortheadoptionofsomeformofreparations,bothincompensationforslavery,andfortheinjusticesvisiteduponsucceedinggenerationsofBlackAmericans.LearnmoreabouttheReparationsControversy.14HackingHackingreferstotheuseofcomputingskillstopenetrate,disrupt,orinterferewithacomputersystembynon-standardavenues.Hackingisacontroversialissuebecausethisskillcanbeusedformanydifferentpurposesbothlawfulandunlawful;ethicalandunethical.Somehackersusetheirskillsforcriminalactivitieswhileothersmayusetheirskillstocreatecybersecuritydefensesagainstmaliciousactors.Activistsmayusehackingtounderminedictatorshipjustasdictatorsmightusehackingtosuppressindividualliberties.LearnmoreabouttheHackingControversy.15LaborUnionsAlaborunionreferstoanorganizedallianceofworkers,oftenjoinedbyasharedindustryortrade,butalsofrequentlyjoinedacrossdifferentlaborindustries.Laborunionsuseatacticreferredtoascollectivebargainingtoimproveworkerconditions,advancewages,andsecurebenefits,aswellassupportingmembersindisputeswithmanagement,andengaginginpoliticalactionandlobbying.Thecontroversyoverlaborunionsconcernsthehistoricalandongoingconflictofideals,methodsandgoalsbetweenlaborleaders,organizersandunionmembersononeside,andbusinessmanagement,ownership,andindustrylobbygroupsontheotherside.LearnmoreabouttheLaborUnionsControversy.Sponsored16ExtremismExtremismreferstobeliefsandactionsthatareofanextremeorfanaticalnature.Extremismisoftenconnectedtopolitical,religiousorracialistideologiesthatfallfaroutsideofthemainstream.Extremismisoftenassociatedwithfringegroupssuchaswhitesupremacists,jihadistterrorists,orreligiousfundamentalists,andisdistinguishedfromtraditionalactivismforitsradicalandsometimesviolentmethods.Thecontroversyoverextremismcentersonthedisagreementbetweenthosewhosubscribetoextremistviewsandextremistactions,andthosewhorejecttheviewsormethodsofextremism,aswellasthosewhoworkactivelytopreventextremism.LearnmoreabouttheExtremismControversy.17ElectoralCollegeTheUnitedStatesElectoralCollegeisagroupof538delegates-representingthe50UnitedStatesandtheDistrictofColumbia-whomeeteveryfouryearstoelectthePresidentandVicePresidentoftheUnitedStates.ThoughtheElectoralCollegeiswrittenintotheU.S.Constitution,itisalsoasourceofongoingcontroversy.Thisisbecausetheoutcomeoftheelectoralvoteisthesoledeterminantofthepresidency.Criticsarguethatthismodelrendersthenationalpopularvotemeaningless,underminestheprincipleof“one-person,onevote,”andresultsinwidespreadvoterdisenfranchisement.DebateovertheElectoralCollegehasbeenmagnifiedbyrecentelectionsinwhichthewinnerofthenationalpopularvotedidnotwintheelectoralvoteandthus,didnotwinthepresidency.LearnmoreabouttheElectoralCollegeControversy.18VaccinesThetermvaccinereferstoaformofmedicaltreatmentwhichmaybeusedtopreemptivelyinoculateindividualsandpopulationsagainstinfectiousdiseases.Thecontroversyovervaccinesstemsfromasocialphenomenoncalledvaccinehesitancy,aswellasanorganizedanti-vaccination,oranti-vax,movement.Thosewhosupporttheuseofvaccinespointtoextensivescientificevidencethatvaccinesarebothsafeandeffective,whereasthosewhoopposevaccinesbelievethatvaccinesareeitherunnecessaryorunsafe.LearnmoreabouttheVaccinesControversy.19OutsourcingOutsourcingreferstothebusinesspracticeofhiringoutsideconsultants,freelanceworkers,orthird-partyagenciestocompleteworkthatmightotherwisebehandledin-house.Thepracticeofoutsourcingisalsohighlyconnectedtotheriseofglobalization,free-trade,andthepracticeof“offshoring,”inwhichAmericancompanieswillopenfacilitiesandemploylaborersinothercountrieswherewagestandards,environmentalrestrictions,andcostsofoperationarelower.Theoutsourcingcontroversycentersontheconflictinginterestsofcorporateprofitabilityandfreemarketcapitalismononeside,and,ontheotherside,concernsoverheightenedAmericanunemploymentandtheexploitationoflow-wageworkersinthedevelopingsphere.LearnmoreabouttheOutsourcingControversy.20GunControlGunControlreferstolegislationaimedatcurbinggunviolenceinAmerica.TheguncontrolcontroversycentersondisagreementbetweensectorsoftheAmericanpublic,aswellastheirpoliticalrepresentatives,overthelegalimplicationsoftheSecondAmendmentoftheConstitution,whichgrantsAmericanstherighttobeararms.Somearguethattheongoingpublichealthcrisisofgunviolencenecessitatesmorerestrictionsaroundgunmanufacturing,salesandownershipwhileothersarguethatsuchregulationisunconstitutionalordisagreethatstricterruleswouldlowertheoccurrenceofgunviolence.LearnmoreabouttheGunControlControversy.Sponsored21ForeignAidUnitedStatesforeignaid,alsoreferredtoasforeignassistanceorinternationalaid,is“aidgivenbytheUnitedStatestoothercountriestosupportglobalpeace,security,anddevelopmentefforts,andprovidehumanitarianreliefduringtimesofcrisis,”accordingtoForeignAssistance.gov.Thecontroversyoverforeignaiddividesthosewhobelievetherearestrategic,economic,andmoralimperativesjustifyingthisuseofAmericanresourcesforforeignaidversusthosewhobelievethisisamisappropriationoffundingthatshouldinsteadbespentondomesticpriorities.LearnmoreabouttheForeignAidControversy.22NuclearEnergyNuclearenergyreferstotheuseofnuclearreactionssuchasnuclearfission,nuclearfusion,andnucleardecayinordertoproducepower.Thecontroversyovernuclearenergyconcernsbothitsperceivedimpactontheenvironmentanditscapacityforweaponization.Thishistoryofnuclearenergycentersontheexpansionofwar-makingcapabilitiesand,specifically,thecreationofweaponscapableofmasscasualtyandmassdestruction.Butovertime,nuclearenergyhasalsobecomeatonceaningrainedpartofthepowergridintheUnitedStatesandtheworld.Today,theglobaldebateovernuclearenergyconcernsitssafety,environmentalimpact,capacityforcivilenergyproduction,anditsglobalproliferationasasourceofpotentiallycatastrophicweaponry.LearnmoreabouttheNuclearEnergyControversy.23PoliceBrutalityPolicebrutalityreferstotheuseofexcessiveorunnecessaryforcebylawenforcementofficers,butmayalsorefertoexcessiveforceusedbycorrectionsofficersandprisonofficials.Thecontroversyoverpolicebrutalitycentersondisagreementovertheextentofforcethatlawenforcementshouldbeentitledtousewhileengagingsuspects,perpetrators,prisoners,andothermembersofthegeneralpublic.Thosewhobelievethatpolicebrutalityisaproblemwouldarguethatthecurrentsystemoflawenforcementgivesofficerstoomuchdiscretionandimpunityinusingviolentmethodsofengagementwhilethosewhodon’tbelievepolicebrutalityisaproblemwouldarguethatthedangerousnatureoflawenforcementrequiresthatofficershavefar-reachingdiscretionincarryingouttheirduty,includingtheuseofpotentiallyviolentconfrontationaltactics.LearnmoreaboutthePoliceBrutalityControversy.24AffirmativeActionAffirmativeactionreferstoanarrayofpoliciesandpracticesaimedatredressinghistoricalandingrainedinequalities,especiallythoseexperiencedbypeopleofcolorandwomenasaconsequenceofsystemicdiscrimination.Affirmativeactionusuallytakestheformofeducationandemploymentinitiativesaimedatcreatingaccessandopportunitiesforindividualsfromgroupsthathavefacedsuchdiscrimination.Thecontroversyoveraffirmativeactiondividesthosewhobelievethisisaneffectivewaytopushbackagainstthesociologicalimpactofsystemicdiscriminationversusthosewhobelieveaffirmativeactioniseitherineffectiveoris,itself,adiscriminatorypolicy.LearnmoreabouttheAffirmativeActionControversy.25CharterSchoolsAcharterschoolisaneducationalinstitutionthatprovidesfreeanduniquelystructurededucationalopportunitiestostudentsandfamiliesseekinganalternativetotraditionalpublicschool.Charterschoolsareaproductofthedemandforgreaterschoolchoice,especiallyincitieswherepublicschoolsoftenstruggletoprovideahighqualityeducationalexperience.Thecontroversyovercharterschoolsconcernsthebeliefthatcharterschoolsareavaluablealternativetotraditionalpublicschooling,especiallyfordisadvantagedorat-riskstudentpopulationsversusthebeliefthatcharterschoolsdivertfundingandresourcesfromtraditionalpublicschools.LearnmoreabouttheCharterSchoolsControversy.Sponsored26Trumpandthe“BigLie”ThecontroversyoverTrumpandthe“BigLie”centersontheresultsofthe2020U.S.PresidentialElectionandDonaldTrump’seffortstooverturntheseresults.InthemonthsleadinguptotheNovemberelection,sittingPresidentDonaldTrumpandhissupportersandalliesmadewidespreadpreemptiveallegationsthattheoutcomeoftheelectionwouldberigged,andthatamassiveconspiracywasalreadyunderwayinvolvingcrookedDemocraticoperatives,corruptstatevotingcommissions,preprogrammedvotingmachines,foreignCommunistinterference,andmore.LearnmoreabouttheTrumpandthe“BigLie”.27BlackLivesMatterBlackLivesMatterisamodernprotestmovementcenteredaroundcivilrightscausesimpactingBlackAmericans,especiallyastheyrelatetopolicebrutality,vigilanteviolence,andinstitutionalinequalityintheAmericanlegalsystem.BlackLivesMatterisatonceamulti-chapterorganizationwithconcentratedleadershipandadecentralizedglobalmovementengagedinwidespreadactivism.LearnmoreabouttheBlackLivesMatterMovement.28COVIDVaccineMandatesAnewsurgeincasesisgrippingtheUnitedStates.Schoolsalloverthecountryareadoptingvaccinemandates.Vaccineskepticsarguethesemandatesareaviolationofindividualliberties.Aprominentanti-vaccinationactivistwrites“Vaccinationistheputtingofanimpurethingintotheblood–avirusorpoison–oftenresultinginseriousevileffects.Invogueformorethanonehundredyears,ithasbeenreceivedbymostpersonswithoutquestion.Yetthetimeispassingwhenpeoplewillacceptamedicaldogmaonblindfaith;theynowdemandtoknowsomethingaboutthepracticestowhichtheyarecalledontosubmit.”LearnmoreabouttheCOVIDVaccineMandatesControversy.29CriticalRaceTheoryThecontroversyoverCriticalRaceTheory(CRT)centersonwhetherornotthissubjectshouldbetaughtinschools.Andtoanextent,theCriticalRaceTheorycontroversyalsoextendsfromdifferingviewsonexactlywhatdefinesCriticalRaceTheory.Tosupporters,CriticalRaceTheoryreferstoauniversity-levelsubjectthataddressestheintersectionbetweenrace,law,andsystemicinequality.Toopponents,CriticalRaceTheoryreferstoanyefforttoinjectdiscourseoverrace,gender,diversity,ordiscriminationintopublicschoolcurricuclumatanylevelofeducation.Theresultofthesedifferingviews–bothonwhatdefinesCRT,andwhetheritshouldbetaughtinschools–isaheatedpublicdebatebeingplacedoutincitycouncilchambers,schoolboardmeetings,andthehallsofCongress.LearnmoreabouttheCriticalRaceTheoryControversy:ControversialTopic:CriticalRaceTheoryCriticalRaceTheorists30MarijuanaLegalizationThecannabisindustryisinastateofsteadygrowth.Forstudentsalreadywithabackgroundinsubjectslikebusiness,law,chemistry,andplantbiology,thisgrowthrepresentsgreatprofessionalopportunity.Andforstudentsinterestedintakingamoredirectroute,anumberoffullyaccreditedcollegesanduniversitiesnowoffercourses,certifications,minors,andevenfour-yearbachelor’sdegreesincannabisstudies.We’vehighlightedthetopschoolsforstudyingmarijuana—andasabonus,we’veincludedarankingoftheTopCannabisInfluencersandtheMostInfluentialBooksAboutCannabisfromthelasthalf-century.LearnmoreabouttheMarijuanaLegalizationControversy.Sponsored👩‍🎓Earnyourdegree100%onlinefromSNHU👨‍🎓AD👩‍🎓Earnyourdegree100%onlinefromSNHU👨‍🎓ADBacktoTopHowDidWeChoosetheseControversies?Whilesomeofthetopicsnotedabovespringtomind,wewantedtoknowwhichtopicswerethe“mostcontroversial.”Ourmachine-learningalgorithmmeasuresinfluencebasedonWikipediapageviewsandlinks.Thisprovidesapoint-basedwayofscoringthepermeation,visibility,frequency,andqualityofmentions.AtAcademicInfluence,InfluenceRankingsareusedtoidentifyandrankacademicsandthoughtleadersfortheirrelativeinfluence.Usingourbehind-the-scenesRankingAnalyticstool,weappliedthesamestandardtomeasuringthebreadthofagivencontroversy.Thosetopicswhichscoredthemost“influencepoints,”basedonpageviewsandlinks,couldthereforebeidentifiedasthe“most”controversialforthesheerbreadthofcoveragetheyhavereceivedinthepublicforum.Itshouldbenotedthatthebreadthoftopicalcoverageisnotnecessarilyreflectiveoftheintensityoremotionaltumultsurroundingagivencontroversysomuchasthedegreetowhichithasbeenpubliclydiscussed,debated,writtenon,andreadabout.Inessence,“mostcontroversial”isameasureofhowwidelyatopiciscoveredandhowwidelypeopleactuallyreadtheWikipediaarticlescoveringit.BacktoTopWhat’sMissingandWhy?Thereisnolimittothenumberoftopicsthatcouldbeusedtosparkaspiriteddebate.Certainly,countlessworthytopicshavefallenjustshortofourdecidedlyexclusivelistof25.Atopicwhichisclosetoyourheartmaynotbehere.Beassured,thisisnotbecauseweoverlookedtheseimportanttopics,butbecauseourRankingAnalyticsrevealedfewerpage-viewsandlinksinconnectionwiththesetopicsthanwiththosewhichdidmakeourlist.Timeframealsoplayedabigroleinourfindings.Oursearchparameterswereboundbetweentheyears2000and2020.Adifferenttimeframewouldlikelyhaverevealedadifferentlandscapeofcontroversies.Evolutionarytheory,forinstance,ranked#36onourlist,andthereforefellshortoftheTop25.However,itisentirelylikelythatthistopicwouldhaverankedfarhigheronthesamelisthaditbeencompiledtocoincidewiththeScopesMonkeyTrialinthe1920s.Anotherexampleofhowtheserankingscanchangeovertime,medicalmarijuanafellwellshortofourlist,ranking40thoverall.Thisisanexampleofanareainwhichshiftingculturalmoresandlegalstandardshavesignificantlydiminishedtherelevanceofacontroversyinjustafewyears.Nowyoucangetadegreeincannabisstudiesfromseveraluniversities.Similarly,prayerinschoolwasonceahot-buttonissueinAmericanpubliclife,butdidnotatallrankamongthe70+topicsusedtogenerateourlist.These“honorablementions”areexamplesoftopicsthatmaystillgeneratesomedebate,andwhichmaythemselvesbeworthyofexploration,butwhichfellshortoftheTop25accordingtotheselectionmethodologyoutlinedinthesectionabove.BacktoTopLimitationsAmongthelimitationstoourmethod,ouralgorithmdoesn’tprovideacomprehensivemeasureofhowrelatedtermsmightrankforpageviewsandlinks.However,itisourgoalovertimetorefineourmachine-learningenginetoidentifyandaccountformoresweepingviewsofagiventopic.WeshouldalsonotethatdiscussionsarelargelyfocusedoncontroversyinAmericanpubliclife.Fartoomanycultural,social,geographic,andpoliticalrealitiesshapethedifferentwaysinwhichvariousnationalpublicsperceiveandapproachcontroversialtopics.Suchsubjectmatterdemandsfocusandcontext.Therefore,whilesomeoftheinfluencersandhistoricalnotesincludedmaytouchoncontroversyincountriesotherthantheU.S.,thisis,bydesign,anethnocentriclistofcontroversialtopicsrevolvingaroundAmericancontroversies.Applyingto🏫college?Here'showtodoitright…✅ADApplyingto🏫college?Here'showtodoitright…✅ADBacktoTopDiggingIntoControversy:HowWeDoItNowthatyouknowhowwe’veidentifiedthemostcontroversialtopics,beawarethatwehavenointentionoftakingsides.Ourgoalistoidentifythesetopics,andpointyouinthedirectionofthosewhohavehelpedtodefinetheissue.Historicalinfluencersandbookshave,likeourlistofcontroversialtopics,beendrawndirectlyfromourRankingAnalytics.MorecurrentinfluencershavebeendrawnfromavettedselectionoffindingsusingourAcademicInfluenceengine.Youwillagreewithsomeofthefiguresoneachlist.Youwilldisagreewithsomeofthem.Youmayevenbeoffendedbytheinclusionofsomeinfluencerinourdiscussion.Butinclusionisnotendorsement.Itismerelyacknowledgmentofinfluence,forbetterorworse.Ourgoalistoreachbeyondthetraditionalpoint-counterpointapproachtocontroversialtopics.Subjectsusuallygeneratecontroversybecausetheyarecomplex,andbecauseawidespectrumofpartiesmaybeimpactedinverydifferentwaysbytheseissues.Thisiswhywedoourbesttoprovideapanoramicviewofeachcontroversy(asopposedtoanapproachwhichmerelypitsonesideincompetitionwiththeother).Theresult,wehope,isthekindofnuanceddiscussionrequiredtotakeonsubjectsofsuchcomplexity.Therefore,we’lllayoutthesubjectmatter,pointyoutotheexpertsandthoughtleaders,andletyoudotheintellectualfootwork.Likewesaid,learningisallaboutinquiry.Questioneverything,anddon’tbeafraidtoleanintoalittlecontroversy.ADADRelatedArticlestoThe30MostControversialTopicsforYourPositionPaperControversialTopicsArticlesRelatedtoThe30MostControversialTopicsforYourPositionPaperControversialTopic:CharterSchoolsControversialTopic:CivilRightsControversialTopic:ClimateChangeControversialTopic:AbortionControversialTopic:MinimumWageControversialTopic:PoliceBrutalityControversialTopic:ReparationsforSlaveryControversialTopic:TheDeathPenalty/CapitalPunishmentControversialTopic:VaccinesControversialTopic:Women'sRightsControversialTopic:CensorshipandFreedomofSpeechControversialTopic:ElectoralCollegeControversialTopic:BlackLivesMatterControversialTopic:ForeignAidControversialTopic:OutsourcingControversialTopic:AffirmativeActionControversialTopic:GunControlControversialTopic:HealthInsuranceControversialTopic:LaborUnionsControversialTopic:ReligiousFreedomControversialTopic:SocialSecurityControversialTopic:Trumpandthe"BigLie"PoliticalScienceArticlesRelatedtoThe30MostControversialTopicsforYourPositionPaperHowgenderimpactspolitics&internationalrelationsHowfriendshipcanboostvoterturnoutHowdoyoubecomeapoliticalscientist?HowRussia,Fascism,andNationalismimpactworldpoliticsHowcitizendisaffectioncandrivechangesingovernmentHoweffectiveisAmericanforeignpolicy?HowliberaldemocracyoutshinesothersystemsofgovernmentHowmail-inballotscouldaffectthe2020electionHownationsbuildandreinforcetheirinfluenceHowtothinklikearevolutionaryandestablishfreedomHowgametheoryandcompetitionexplainpoliticsHowtothinkaboutBrexit,globalization,andpandemicsHowweaknessafflictsRussiatodayHowinstitutionsformandchangeovertimeIsAmericanliberaldemocracymorallydefensible?HowtrueacademicfreedomcreatesintellectualconflictTruth,Lies,Nationalism,War,andElectionMeddlingHistoryArticlesRelatedtoThe30MostControversialTopicsforYourPositionPaperHowAmericanhistoryandpoliticsconvergeOnlineDegreesArticlesRelatedtoThe30MostControversialTopicsforYourPositionPaperBestOnlineBachelor'sinPublicHealthEarthSciencesArticlesRelatedtoThe30MostControversialTopicsforYourPositionPaperHowclimatechangebecamepartisanandweaponizedHowscientistsaddressdissent,money,trust,andbeingwrongAnthropologyArticlesRelatedtoThe30MostControversialTopicsforYourPositionPaperHowanthropologyintersectspoliticsEconomicsArticlesRelatedtoThe30MostControversialTopicsforYourPositionPaperHowpoliticsinfluenceseconomicsinnationsCollegeLi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