Governance

Governance

An astronaut stands proudly on the moon's surface near scientific equipment and a lunar lander, as the American flag waves in the background, symbolizing a pioneering USA nation.
After drastic cuts to the NIH, the FDA, the NSF, and the DOE, NASA science faces down its smallest budget ever. All of society will suffer.
A group of people watches a large wildfire at night, with flames lighting up the sky in the background.
Effective leadership requires long-term strategy — not tactical reactions.
A missile in motion with the words "2025's Top Threats" against a blue background.
22mins
"There is so much more uncertainty and volatility in a world that is moving fast with big countries that are more at odds with each other and with fewer rules of the road that leaders, companies, and societies are adhering to."
Multiple country flags on poles against a clear blue sky, representing international diversity and unity.
The nation-state had a good run, but its usefulness may have come to an end.
In post-Soviet nations where ministers have a relatively high BMI, corruption tends to be high, too.
An open book reveals a black and white portrait of a person on the left page, embodying shared leadership, while the right page showcases a sketch of ducks, harmoniously set against a light green background.
In some organizations “founder mode” can become synonymous with over-reliance. Here’s how to avoid the pitfalls of “apparent irreplaceability.”
Silhouettes of three people in red stand on a podium made of white cubes, evoking the spirit of ranked choice voting, with blue circles against a dark grid background.
The electoral reform also known as instant-runoff voting promises bridge-building and broad appeal instead of culture war and gridlock.
Map of the Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order, showing key locations such as the World Headquarters and Library, with details on independence, language, religion, government, and currency.
The Sovereign State of the Bektashi Order would be just one quarter the size of Vatican City.
A grayscale photo of a man is on the left page of an open book, while the right page features an illustration of a white dove with red accents on a yellow background, symbolizing freedom.
Historian Timothy Snyder talks with Big Think about how true liberty requires both negative and positive freedoms.
A blurred black-and-white image of an American flag, with the stars and stripes visibly distorted, subtly reflecting political polarization.
"We’re acting more like fans of a football team going to a game than a banker carefully choosing investments."
Google search bar with queries related to TikTok, including "is tiktok getting banned," "is tiktok shutting down," and "is tiktok banned in us.
TikTok and its allies won't go down without a legal fight.
People examining a detailed architectural model of a building and its surrounding area at an exhibition, reflecting the impact of the Chinese economy on urban development.
Misinterpreted data may be distorting Western predictions about the future of China's economy.
A robotic hand and a human hand reach towards each other against a dark background.
The preservation and celebration of life, and not greed, should be our primary decision-making value. 
Ancient stone structure with stairs under a blue sky with scattered clouds, surrounded by vegetation.
How (not) to end up in the ash heap of history.
A Venn diagram depicts the overlapping groups of Nordic countries, Scandinavia, Danish Realm, Baltoscandia, Finno-Ugric, Baltic countries, and Balts, with the flags of respective countries.
Because of their large and unfriendly neighbor to the east, the Baltics would rather be Scandinavian.
Person seated, using a smartphone to browse social media, with a focus on their hands and the device over a handbag, inside a room with striped carpeting.
Smart CEOs can harness authenticity and humanity on socials — but one slip can spell disaster. Here’s a strategic plan.
A u.s. coast guard cutter sails on calm blue waters against a clear sky, flying the coast guard flag on its stern.
Driven by a childhood marked by war and environmental devastation, Dyhia Belhabib developed an innovative technology to combat illegal fishing.
A person holding a burger with fries and ketchup on a wooden table.
Beef production is largely responsible for greenhouse gas emissions from the food system.
Crowd of diverse people at a climate protest holding signs with messages like "act now before it's too late".
The majority of people in every country support action on climate, but the public consistently underestimates this share.
Two men from different political parties in suits stand at podiums under studio lights, participating in a televised debate.
Throughout the world, traditional political organizations are increasingly seen as dysfunctional. But can democracies live without them?
Split image with the empire state building on the left and a stylized graphic of a wi-fi router on the right, both against a purple background.
When Google runs a smart city, who owns the data?
The signing of the declaration of independence by george washington.
Five times in U.S. history, American presidential candidates have ascended to leadership despite lacking the popular vote. Here's how.
Barbed wire with the word free speech on it.
31mins
Author of the Canceling of the American Mind Greg Lukianoff explains the current state of free speech in the United States.
A map showing the location of the arctic sea.
No shots fired. No flags raised. And no dry land gained. Still, the U.S. effectively grew by the size of about two Californias in December.
A group of people holding signs that say we demand voting rights now.
There is a cross-country correlation between democracy and health. Is there good evidence to suggest it is causal?
A man in a military uniform wearing a hat resembling Napoleon.
Napoleon Bonaparte was a man of many faces. European historian Michael Broers explains which are featured on the silver screen and why.
A yellow dump truck on a sand hill.
Sometimes called “the new gold,” sand is the second most exploited natural resource in the world after fresh water.
A group of soldiers standing in front of a large wave at Banqiao Dam.
Decades ago, a disaster left three million acres of land uninhabitable and killed between 85,600 and 240,000 people. Chernobyl? No. Banqiao dam in China.
Roman dictator
Long before the birth of Julius Caesar, the Roman Republic appointed all-powerful dictators to protect their state in times of crisis. They were remarkably self-restrained and obedient to the Roman Constitution.