Current controversies

"In an increasingly globalized world, offshore manufacturing is often favored over domestic manufacturing for its ability to meet greater demands for goods that can be manufactured at lower costs, ultimately saving both companies and consumers money. However, a number of concerns also arise when examining offshoring's impact on a domestic and international scale. Some argue that offshoring results in the exploitation of workers from lower-income countries, while others express concern over the potential loss of domestic jobs that can result from it. This volume examines the benefits and drawbacks of domestic and offshore manufacturing through numerous points of contention"--Provided by publisher.

"The shift to the green economy is intended to reduce negative environmental impacts, but how this would affect consumers, communities, and the economy and whether it is economically and political feasible are up for debate"--Provided by publisher.

"Discussions of the dark web often have sinister connotations, as its capacity to enable various crimes is the aspect that most people fixate upon. However, there is nothing fundamentally criminal about the dark web-it is simply an encrypted part of the internet that allows users to remain anonymous. Nonetheless, a considerable amount of illegal activity does occur on it, making the questions of how it can be monitored and the extent to which it should be pressing issues. This volume explores the various issues related to the dark web, giving readers a better understanding of this enigmatic topic"--Provided by publisher.

"Though sanctuary cities have recently become a significant aspect of the immigration debate as a result of the Trump administration's stricter immigration policies, sanctuary cities have existed in the US since the 1980s and for centuries in countries around the world. However, the precise definition and legal standing of sanctuary cities in today's context is often foggy. The viewpoints in this volume discuss the timely issue of sanctuary cities from a variety of angles while also exploring the economic, cultural, political, and moral aspects of asylum and immigration"--Provided by publisher.

"With the legalization of medical marijuana becoming increasingly common in many states, the medicinal potential of formerly illicit drugs has caught the public's attention. However, marijuana is not the only drug being researched and used medicinally: MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine have been found to have therapeutic qualities, which leads some to question whether the medical use of these substances may also be legal in the future. This volume explores issues like regulation, the ethics of using illicit drugs in medical and scientific research, and its place in the greater history of drug regulation in the United States"--Provided by publisher.

"The rights protecting journalists and the press in the United States are a defining aspect of the nation's democratic nature. What tends to be discussed less frequently is how . . . media environment enables or hinders a free press. Has the internet made the press freer or restricted it in new ways? How do issues like funding, the role of media conglomerates, and legal actions against journalists and publications fit into a free media landscape? These questions will be explored from varying perspectives in this . . . volume"--Provided by publisher.

"Unlike natural disasters, which happen because of the earth's natural geological processes, environmental catastrophes are devastating events that occur due to humanity's impact on the environment. These can include nuclear bombings, oil spills, and more recently the extreme weather events brought about by climate change. Wildfires, heat waves, flooding, droughts, and numerous other catastrophic scenarios manifest as a result. With the global impact of environmental catastrophes becoming increasingly pronounced, scientists and politicians alike question what the best course of action may be to slow or even reverse the devastation"--Provided by publisher.

"Fair trade is intended to help producers in developing countries achieve better working and trading conditions while maintaining certain environmental standards, which is achieved through arrangements with distributors around the world. With the influx of fair trade goods on grocery store shelves and restaurant menus, one would assume an overall positive trend in trade conditions is occurring. However, numerous concerns continue to surround fair trade, such as whether it benefits all developing countries and markets equally, the extent to which it is effective at protecting the environment, and what conditions would make trade as fair as possible"--Provided by publisher.

"Recent examples of attacks on science-such as climate change denial and anti-vaccination movements-demonstrate the danger of attacks on science. However, the negative impacts of these attacks must be weighed against other considerations, including the freedom of speech and religious expression and the assertion that some criticism is healthy for the scientific field. The viewpoints in this title consider the impacts of attacks on science, whether these attacks can be stopped, and how they can be prevented. It also examines the role of the internet in propagating and legitimizing these attacks"--.

Presents a collection of essays espousing opposing viewpoints on issues and controversies involving nativism, nationalism, and patriotism. Discusses their definitions, differences, and role in a liberal democracy. Includes a list of organizations to contact for additional information.