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What is Environmental Justice?
~Jacqueline Phelps Pursuant to state law, environmental justice means “the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” (California Government Code, 2019). Many of us understand why the consideration of environmental justice in decision-making processes is essential, and […]
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How should we think about “development”?
I conceptualized a new course this term, to make up for the study abroad course that I could not offer. I ambitiously called it “understanding development,” keeping in mind the idea that we would discuss what this term means and what we should do about it. The reaction from students so far is pretty positive […]
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Resistance to mask-wearing: Can wearing masks be seen as not macho enough/“effeminate” behavior?
The latest issue of Administrative Theory and Praxis has an interesting article titled “Street-level bureaucrats under COVID-19: Police Officers responses in constrained settings,” by Rafael Alcadipani, Sandra Cabral, Alan Fernandes, and Gabriela Lotta. They point out, based on inductive qualitative analysis that in a major Brazilian metropolitan area, conflicts concerning political, occupational culture, and material […]
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How to tackle disinformation – the single biggest challenge of public administration?
~ Sabith Khan, PhD Imagine being in a once in a century pandemic. And miraculously, a group of scientists discovers a vaccine that actually works, all in a matter of months. Then, the vaccine starts to roll out. But there is one problem: a good segment of the population refuses to take it. This imaginary […]
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Statistical Literacy and Public Policies
Dr. Gustavo Lara-Gonzalez Public policies describe the action of the government. This action is in response to issues brought by the public before the public officials. The response of the government is by enacting laws and regulations. Thus, the government is a manufacturer of public policies. The aim of public or private policy has two […]
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How We Overcame the Fear of the COVID-19 Vaccine
~Leonard Casiple The COVID-19 pandemic response has upended the very essence of humanity by constraining social interaction, mandating indoor seclusion, and making us flinch at the thought of outdoor bustle. Even the elegance of the lingering waft of perfume and cologne has been supplanted by the shock of quickly-dissipating rubbing alcohol and sanitizers. Every connection […]
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Will philanthropy by the rich save us?
Mackenzie Scott’s giving away of $4 bn made news last week, as this was one of the most generous examples of giving by an ultra-rich person, this year. It is admirable that she has given this money away, even though there are very many criticisms of this phenomenon of hi-networth giving. Her problem is pretty […]
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How do we find better leaders to lead us through crises?
The Atlantic published an interesting article recently about the secret for Germany’s success in tackling the COVID-19 crisis: A scientist at the helm of political affairs, Chancellor Angela Merkle. This is an interesting argument to ponder. Why have countries/ regions that have scientists/technocrats as leaders done well, while those run by run-of-the-mill politicians done badly? […]
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How are Digital Platforms Being Used by Fire Departments During the 2020 Wildfire Season?
~ Erin Niemi As California fire season has already been off to a record-setting start, fire departments all across California have been active online in order to alert the public. As of Oct. 5, in this 2020 wildfire season, there have been over 8,000 wildfires and a growing total of over 4 million acres burned, […]
