Society & everyday decisions
Public life, ethics, work, money and the communities people share.
GRE Argument: Does the Faster Pace of Modern Life Create More Problems?
A model argument that weighs the benefits of speed against its costs to deliberation, public oversight, and long-term welfare, using two historical examples.
Measuring Leaders by Citizens’ Well-Being: GRE Issue Essay
An argumentative essay defends citizens’ well-being as the best central measure of leadership while explaining why attribution, institutional performance, and long-term outcomes must also be considered.
Can Laws Solve Problems Rooted in People’s Beliefs?
An argument that law cannot by itself change private convictions, but can constrain conduct and redesign institutions—sometimes protecting people, and sometimes giving prejudice the force of government.
Principle and Compromise in Political Leadership
An argument that political leadership needs a principled foundation, while compromise and responsiveness are essential tools when they serve legitimate ends.
Accessible Elections Benefit More Than One Group of Voters
An explanatory essay on how accessible voting systems and information can serve voters with disabilities while also strengthening the election process for others, and why access still requires sustained attention.
Should Voting Be Mandatory in the United States?
An argument that the United States should encourage, but not require, eligible citizens to vote, weighing representation and civic engagement against personal choice, enforcement costs, and uninformed ballots.
Politicians and Public Judgment: Are Government Experts Better Informed?
An evidence-based argument that political expertise can improve decisions but does not by itself make officials better judges than the public. The essay weighs specialized knowledge against public experience and democratic accountability.
Should Civic Education Include the Practical Steps of Voting?
A nonpartisan argument that civic education should teach both democratic principles and the practical skills needed to understand registration, verify election information, and navigate barriers to participation.
Community Voices and Truth: Maxine Hong Kingston’s Claim
An argumentative essay weighing when a community of voices can reveal more truth than an individual voice—and when collective agreement can obscure it.
Local Community Participation Is More Than Casting a Ballot
An explanatory essay on how voting, accessible election systems, and sustained relationships contribute differently to civic life in U.S. communities.
Why Voting Access Matters in the United States
An evidence-based explanation of how registration, reliable information, and accessible voting procedures shape meaningful participation in U.S. elections.
Why Election Participation Statistics Need Careful Definitions
An explanatory essay showing why U.S. election participation rates depend on what is counted, who is included, and how registration and voting are measured.