Introducing issues with opposing viewpoints

In the past several U.S. presidential elections, candidates have promised to fix the country's transportation. A strong transportation system is the base of a society's economic stability and development. It can impact its health, wealth, and growth. Why then, are so many of the roads, bridges, and rail systems virtually unchanged from the last century? When will the country's transportation infrastructure catch up to the technology, living habits, and needs of a twenty-first-century population? The viewpoints in this volume explore the importance of transportation infrastructure, why it seems so difficult to maintain, and hopes for its future.

"In the United States, income inequality--the income gap between rich and poor--has widened steadily for the past fifty years. This gap affects women, immigrants, and racial and ethnic minorities most, and it can create problems that ripple through many aspects of our lives for generations to come. Why does income inequality exist, how does it affect our society, and how can we address it? The wide-ranging viewpoints in this volume explore these questions and provide important explanation and context for this complicated issue"--Provided by publisher.

"Many have argued that at least since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the United States has become a surveillance state. Others have countered that the government has the public's best interest in mind. But what is the truth? How does a government and its law enforcement prioritize the safety of its citizens without infringing on their privacy? The diverse viewpoints in this volume address the questions of whether the United States is operating under a surveillance state; can we have safety without surveillance; and whether it is too late to turn back from our present situation"--.

"More than 25% of the world's population experiences moderate or severe levels of food insecurity. The United States is not exempt: 35 million Americans do not have regular access to food that is safe and nutritious. The viewpoints in this volume address how this is possible in such a rich and resourceful nation. They also explore why so many areas-both urban and rural-are now considered food deserts; the paradox of the obesity epidemic; government's responsibility to feed its citizens; the side effects of a hungry population, particularly children and seniors; and solutions for ensuring food security"--Provided by publisher.

"We have entered a time when celebrities are so valued that they are more respected and powerful than anyone else. It began with movie and sports stars, but now as a result of the preponderance of reality shows that vault virtual nobodies into lives of immense wealth and clout, celebrity has been democratized. YouTube stars and Instagram influencers are the latest to rise to celebrity status, and they have more power than many of us know. This curation of perspectives explores the advantages to celebrity, how advances in media technology have impacted fame, and the dangers inherent in a rising celebrity culture"--Provided by publisher.

"Patriotism refers to devotion to one's country, and as such it is often considered essential to a cohesive national identity. However, with concerns about xenophobia, nationalism, and chauvinism on the rise, the question of what role patriotism plays in these problematic exclusionary beliefs and practices must be examined. This volume considers various viewpoints on what defines patriotism, how it originated as a concept, and the ways in which it both helps and hinders nations. It examines patriotism through the lens of contemporary political and social issues around the world"--Provided by publisher.

A collection of articles that offers varying perspectives on issues related to the causes and effects of mass extinction and whether it can be prevented.

"Hunting game has been a way of life for humans for two million years. People around the world hunt both as a source of food and for sport. While its critics argue that hunting is barbaric and a rich man's sport, its supporters defend the activity in terms of tradition, culture, and population control. Of course, there are still societies around the world that depend on hunting to survive. But for the rest, can hunting ever be justified? [This volume considers the many perspectives of this issue]"--Provided by publisher.

"During the 2020 Democratic primary campaign, candidate Andrew Yang's policy of universal basic income was something many Americans had never heard of. Yang's background as a tech entrepreneur likely influenced his platform, as he projected that within the next decade one of every three workers would be at risk of losing their jobs to new technologies. Basic income has been debated and piloted in countries around the world since the 1960s. While support seems unlikely in the United States, a country that prides itself on the merits of hard work, automation and a drastically changing labor force could change that"--.

"The Founding Fathers took great pains to set up a government with three equal branches with the intent of limiting the powers of any one branch. Yet the executive branch possesses powers, known as executive privilege, that can be invoked to withhold information from the other branches in certain matters. But what happens when presidents use executive privilege to hide wrongdoing? How much does the public deserve to know? In this volume, experts make their cases both against and in support of executive privilege and project how it might be expanded or limited in the future"--Provided by publisher.