"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Category: Policy
Why Building More Catch Basins Can Increase Flood Resilience
11/10/23
“Why would building more catch basins increase flood resilience?”
Catch basins help contain and redirect water overflow. By building more catch basins, we increase our resilience potential to such events. This is Why Building More Catch Basins Can Increase Flood Resilience.
Image credit: ccpia.org
Why Crackdowns on Protests Stifle Societal Expression
11/09/23
“Why do crackdowns on protests stifle societal expression?”
Protests are a means of civil society expressing itself. Crackdowns on protests stifle this expression, leading to an increase in authoritarianism. This is Why Crackdowns on Protests Stifle Societal Expression.
Why Architects Need to Understand Hydrology Maps
11/07/23
“Why do architects need to understand hydrology maps?”
Architects are responsible for designing buildings. Buildings exist within a geographic environment, which makes them vulnerable to a number of environmental factors. One of these is flooding. Hydrology maps help people understand how a flood might occur and how to design around it. This is Why Architects Need to Understand Hydrology Maps.
Why Can Truth Commissions Be Used to Begin the Reparations Process
11/06/23
“Why can truth commissions be used to begin reparations processes?”
Communities marked by one group exploiting another are characterized by extreme tension. When it comes time for reparations, it can be stressful to see how to begin and what transfers should happen. To begin, we’ll need to understand what has happened and for perpetrators to acknowledge their harm to their victims. One way is to begin a Truth Commission, a body entrusted to investigating human rights violations by allowing victims and perpetrators to speak out. This is Why Can Truth Commissions Be Used to Begin the Reparations Process.
Why Transparent Governance Makes for Better Climate Adaptation Work
11/05/23
“Why does transparent governance make for better climate adaptation work?”
The best climate adaptation work is done through consent and trust. This is usually best done under governments that offer transparency in their functioning. This is Why Transparent Governance Makes for Better Climate Adaptation Work.
Why a Greater Demand for Workers Leads to Higher Wages
11/04/23
“Why does a greater demand for workers lead to higher wages?”
In the market world, workers choose where to work based on wages. Different workers will want different levels of wages. If a company doesn’t need many people with respect to the population, then it can offer a low wage and hire whoever is willing to take it. But as demand goes up, the firm will have to hire more workers, in which case wages will go up to attract more people to the company. This is Why a Greater Demand for Workers Leads to Higher Wages.
Monopsonies
11/03/23
“What are monopsonies and where do they occur?”
It seems that almost everyone knows what a monopoly is. When a single supplier controls the entire market, all sorts of economic extraction can ensue. But what happens in the opposite situation, when there is only one buyer in a market? Well, this becomes something that economists call a Monopsony. Buyers in monopsonies can use their special position to pull prices down to their liking. These can arise from geographic constraints, government regulations, and unique consumer demands. They also tend to have lower prices coming from wholesalers and flexibility in paid wages.
Why Riparian Rights Transfer When Land Rights Are Sold
11/02/23
“Why do riparian rights transfer when land rights are sold?”
Riparian water rights are based on who owns land in proximity to the body of water. When those land rights are sold, the riparian rights will be in possession of the new owner. This is Why Riparian Rights Transfer When Land Rights Are Sold.
Why Riparian Rights Need to be Considered During U.S. Water Rights Negotiations
11/01/23
“Why do riparian rights need to be considered during U.S. water rights negotiations?”
U.S. water rights negotiations can be incredibly complicated. Much of it comes down to the use of law. Something significant is that the water rights of property owners must be considered. This commonly comes in the form of riparian rights. This is Why Riparian Rights Need to be Considered During U.S. Water Rights Negotiations.
Isaac's Science Blog 