The Turkish Origins of the “Deep State”
The "deep state" idea of a shadowy parallel government, heard much in the news now, seems to be a concept borrowed from the Turkish experience.
What Americans Thought of WWI
What did Americans think of World War I before the US entered the conflict 100 years ago? “Public opinion” was no more universal in 1917 than it is today.
The Backfire Effect
The backfire effect is when people double-down on their beliefs even when these beliefs are shown to be factually incorrect.
The U.S. Representative Who Tried to Outlaw War
Jeanette Rankin was the first woman to become a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. And she once tried to outlaw war.
Buying Alaska
It's the 150th anniversary of the Alaska Purchase. Why did the Americans want all that ice and why were the Russians willing to sell?
Is Scotland a Nation?
What is Scotland, a country and/or nation, or just a region within Great Britain, a piece of the United Kingdom? Let's explore Scots nationalism.
Ernst Röhm, The Highest-Ranking Gay Nazi
Ernst Röhm, the highest-ranking gay Nazi, presents an interesting study in the construction and containment of masculinity by the right.
The Recipe for Secession: What Makes Nations Leave
Secession doesn't come from one event, but is borne of economic disparities, identity crises, legislative failure, and bad blood.
Liberia: A Primer
Liberia, named for liberty in 1824, has had a rough go of it since being colonized by African-Americans settled there by the American Colonization Society.
Sanctuary Cities Are as Old as The Bible
Sanctuary cities like New York and Los Angeles protect undocumented migrants from deportation. The concept behind them has ancient and religious roots.