What Makes an Alliance Devoted? Insights from American-Israeli and Anglo-Israeli Relations

This paper explores the question, “What causes devoted cross-regional alliances?” Using a comparative case study approach, I examine the United States and the United Kingdom’s relationships with Israel through the lens of realist and constructivist theories of alliance formation. These theories assess whether alliances are driven primarily by strategic interests or shared identity. By analyzing these relationships during their most pivotal periods, I have determined that while strategic interest is necessary to cultivate an alliance, shared identity and ideological alignment transform them into devoted, unconditional partnerships that transcend regional boundaries. The contrast between the U.S.-Israel “special relationship” and the more conditional Anglo-Israeli alliance highlights the critical role of identity and public opinion in shaping foreign policy. These findings carry significant implications for understanding current U.S. and U.K. responses to the Israeli war in Gaza and the broader discussion on how ideology reinforces strategic alliances

Land to Levy: Taxation as a Tool of Settler Colonialism

In both the United States and Canada, the taxation of Indigenous people is often viewed as an innocent tool for financing government operations. In the settler colonial context, however, taxation is not strictly a tool for financing the government – it is a powerful instrument for racial domination and forced assimilation of Indigenous people. This paper examines how colonial legal systems have utilized taxation not purely as a method of revenue collection but as a means to both secure white settler possession and to force assimilation on Indigenous people in order to delegitimize Indigenous sovereignty and enforce the Eurocentric definition of economic productivity and citizenship. Additionally, these taxations cause disproportionate financial effects on Indigenous communities and limit their economic opportunities. Drawing on the works of scholars Brenna Bhandar and Cheryl Harris, this analysis will reveal how taxation serves not solely as a method of revenue collection, but as an apparatus for upholding settler colonialism. From historical policies that explicitly categorized Indigenous people as “civilized” or “uncivilized” based on their tax status to contemporary rhetoric that frames Indigenous communities as economic burdens, taxation’s purpose is to maintain racial and economic inequities and reinforce the legitimacy of the settler colonial project

Human Trafficking in a Globalized World: A Modern Form of Slavery

This paper explores the complex relationship between globalization and human trafficking, framing the latter as a modern form of slavery sustained by global economic systems. As globalization increases the movement of goods, services, and people, it also creates vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit—particularly among immigrant populations and marginalized communities. The paper outlines the historical development of human trafficking, notably through the adoption of the Palermo Protocol, and examines its presence in multiple industries, including sex work, agriculture, and mining. Using data from international organizations and firsthand survivor accounts, the research highlights how economic inequality, migration pressures, and unregulated supply chains enable exploitation. The paradox of globalization is emphasized: while it promotes economic development, it simultaneously facilitates illicit labor practices. This paper concludes by recommending systemic reforms such as stronger international collaboration, corporate accountability, legal protections, and survivor-centered support as key strategies in the global fight against trafficking

To Live Free or To Make Excuses: In Defense of Sartre’s (Revised) Concept of Radical Freedom

Is the slave as free as his master? You may recognize this controversial idea from thephilosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre, who once equated the freedom of ‘the master’ with the freedomof ‘the slave’ based on a radical conception of human freedom, which has drawn strong criticismand mockery since then. This paper aims to defend a revised version of Sartre’s characteristictheory of ‘radical freedom’ by tracing its philosophical evolution and confronting keysociological and scientific objections. Beginning with Sartre’s early existentialism in Being andNothingness and Existentialism is a Humanism, I explore his concept of ‘bad faith’ and hisunderstanding of ‘authenticity’ as a moral imperative. I then examine Simone de Beauvoir’scritique of Sartre’s thesis, wherein she presents a more nuanced account of how socialization andoppression do shape one’s perceived possibilities without negating ontological freedom. Drawingon Jonathan Webber’s analysis of the two authors, I argue that Sartre’s later works – especiallySaint Genet – reflect his acceptance of Beauvoir’s insights and present a more realistic, sociallygrounded existentialism. Finally, I engage with contemporary neuroscience – particularly thework of Robert Sapolsky and Neil Levy – which challenges the very foundation ofexistentialism, i.e., free will. In response, I advocate for preserving a pragmatic belief in humanfreedom – not because it is metaphysically certain, but because perceiving ourselves as freeagents opens up the possibility to transcend past and present circumstances that may otherwisehold us back. Thus, without denying the influence of biological and social factors, we can rejectthe harmful defeatism of incompatibilist determinism, which encourages us to see ourselves aslifelong victims of circumstances outside of our control; in fact, I join Sartre and Beauvoir inarguing that we have the moral imperative to do so. Given our social tendency to make excuses and flee into psychological determinism, this paper calls for a radical reaffirmation of ourfundamental capacity to transcend, even when the odds – and the science – suggest otherwise

An Analysis of the Legal History and Economic Impact of Federal Minimum Wage Policy in the United States

This paper examines the evolution of the political and economic dynamics behind federal minimum wage policy by describing its history in detail. From judicial decisions about the role of the federal government in wage regulation, to the expansive policies of the New Deal Era, to the Reagan era's rejection of such a vast role of the federal government, the history of federal minimum wage policy is far from linear. Evolving political dynamics, jurisprudence, and economic theories have prevented a clear opinion on the legitimacy of a federal minimum wage from emerging. Today, advocates for free market purity dominate the federal government's approach to wage regulation, with meager increases - or no increases at all - becoming commonplace for Congress. As the paper demonstrates, the wage of $7.25 an hour is no longer able to ensure a decent quality of life for Americans. Its proposal to slowly raise the wage to$17 is complemented by two tax credits aimed at minimizing the increased labor costs that small businesses will face, while also recognizing the need for increased buying and saving power for low-wage Americans

One-Size Student Financial Aid Cannot Fit All

Higher education faces financial pressures due to rising costs and constrained public funding. While grants and student loans are key financial aid instruments, neither alone is sufficient to support students efficiently. Grants support low-income students but are costly for governments, while loans offer sustainability but raise concerns over debt burdens. Efficient financial aid requires a targeted mix of loans and grants. Future research should explore how to optimize aid distribution, ensuring accessibility while addressing diverse student needs