Issues for Debate in American Public Policy

Fifteenth
ISBN: 978-1-4833-1703-8
Verlag: CQ Press

Buch, Englisch, 424 Seiten, Format (B × H): 195 mm x 232 mm, Gewicht: 703 g

This collection of nonpartisan and thoroughly researched reports focuses on 16 hot-button policy issues written by award-winning CQ Researcher journalists. The policy reports are expertly researched and written, showing all sides of an issue. Chapters follow a set organization, exploring 3 issue questions, then offering background, the current situation, and a look ahead, as well as featuring a yes-no debate box. As with all the CQ Researcher issues, this text includes a chronology, bibliography, photos, charts, and figures.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Researcher, The Cq

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Systeme Kommunal-, Regional-, und Landesverwaltung
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Regierungspolitik
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Weltgeschichte
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politische Studien zu einzelnen Ländern und Gebieten

Inhaltsverzeichnis

ANNOTATED CONTENTS
PREFACE
CONTRIBUTORS
ENVIRONMENT
1. Climate Change
Are catastrophic climate change impacts inevitable?
Is climate engineering a good idea?
Should the United States adopt a carbon tax?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Adapting and Leading
Notes
Bibliography
2. Coastal Development
Should state and local governments block coastal development?
Can the federal flood insurance program be fixed?
Does New York City need floodgates?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Resilient Coastlines
Notes
Bibliography
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
3. The Federal Reserve
Should the Fed’s mandate still include assuring maximum employment?
Should the Fed continue its massive “quantitative easing” strategy of buying government securities?
Is the Fed too close to banks it regulates?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Continuing Conflicts
Notes
Bibliography
4. U.S. Trade Policy
Will expanding free trade create jobs for Americans?
Can U.S. firms compete with state-owned companies?
Does expanding free trade help promote human rights and democracy?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Change in China
Notes
Bibliography
RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES
5. Media Violence
Does media violence cause aggressive behavior?
Are there benefits from media violence?
Should the government regulate violence in media?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Debate Rages On
Notes
Bibliography
6. Sentencing Reform
Should mandatory sentences be rolled back?
Are lengthy sentences necessary to protect public safety?
Do alternatives to incarceration reduce recidivism?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: New Consensus?
Notes
Bibliography
7. Racial Profiling
Are racial and ethnic profiling prevalent in U.S. law enforcement today?
Do aggressive stop-and-frisk tactics help reduce crime?
Should courts take a leading role in combating police racial and ethnic profiling?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Mean Streets
Notes
Bibliography
8. Government Surveillance
Is government surveillance making the country safer?
Does government surveillance violate civil rights?
Does surveillance undermine Americans’ trust in government?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: More Cameras
Notes
Bibliography
9. Gay Marriage
Does the Defense of Marriage Act improperly deny federal benefits to same-sex couples?
Did California voters violate the U.S. Constitution by passing Proposition 8?
Should the Supreme Court recognize a constitutional right for same-sex couples to marry?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: A Lasting Shift
Notes
Bibliography
SOCIAL POLICY
10. Polarization in America
Will political polarization inevitably increase across America?
Does a no-compromise stance threaten U.S. democracy?
Should the United States shift to a parliamentary system of government?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Proposed Solutions
Notes
Bibliography
11. Whistleblowers
Are national security leakers whistleblowers?
Are federal whistleblowers adequately protected?
Are private-sector whistleblowers adequately protected?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Contagious Courage?
Notes
Bibliography
12. Minimum Wage
Would raising the federal minimum wage mean job losses?
Would raising the federal minimum wage reduce poverty?
Would raising the federal minimum wage help the economy?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Action Expected
Notes
Bibliography
13. Government Spending
Is too much being spent on mandatory programs?
Is too much being spent on Social Security and Medicare?
Is too much being spent on discretionary programs?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Forever Sequester?
Notes
Bibliography
HEALTH
14. Mental Health Policy
Should states make it easier to force the mentally ill into treatment?
Does the medical profession define mental illness too broadly?
Do insurers treat mental and physical health equally?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Legislation in Limbo
Bibliography
Notes
National Security and Foreign Policy
15. Border Security
Has the border security buildup made the United States more secure?
Is it possible to ‘seal’ the U.S. borders?
Is the United States paying enough attention to security at its ports of entry, Canadian border and coasts?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: ‘Drone Recycling’
Notes
Bibliography
16. Improving Cybersecurity
Are doomsday cyberwar scenarios exaggerated?
Should the U.S. government impose cybersecurity standards on the private sector?
Should the United Nations regulate the Internet?
Background
Current Situation
Outlook: Managing Intrusions
Notes
Bibliography

Über Autor(innen)

Researcher, The Cq
CQ Researcher is the choice of librarians, researchers, and students seeking original, comprehensive reporting and analysis on the most vital issues shaping our world. Each weekly report offers in-depth, unbiased coverage of a single topic. Written by CQ Press's staff of experienced reporters, these reports provide up-to-date information on a wide range of social, economic, political, environmental, and international issues.