About This Product
Featuring a dynamic design and a wealth of features, Issues & Controversies helps researchers understand today’s crucial issues by exploring hundreds of hot topics in politics, government, business, society, education, and popular culture. Our Issue and Article pages make it simple to see all of the available content in one place; thousands of editorials and opinions from renowned newspaper sources via NewsEdge keep researchers on top of trending topics; and our enhanced navigation and search results and improved organization and taxonomy give users an intuitive and user-friendly research experience. Updated weekly, with an extensive backfile, Issues & Controversies offers in-depth articles—each presenting both sides of an issue clearly, coherently, and without bias—made to inspire thought-provoking debates. Its straightforward presentation of the key facts, arguments, history, and current context of today’s most important and timely issues makes the database an ideal resource for research papers, debate preparation, and persuasive writing assignments. The articles are written by our own expert writers and editors, and each article includes a full range of supporting materials.
Highlights:
- Extensive, objective, and comprehensive coverage: Issues & Controversies features timely, in-depth articles covering complex, hot-button issues in politics, government, business, society, education, and popular culture. Designed to inspire thought-provoking debates, each article presents both sides of an issue clearly and without bias.
- Pro and con statements: Each Issues & Controversies article presents clear pro/con statements that highlight the main arguments on each side of the controversy, presenting a quick, balanced, and succinct synopsis from supporters and opponents and allowing users to explore all of the controversies related to each issue in one place.
- Original videos and educator support materials: Selected hot-button issues in Issues & Controversies feature overview videos to introduce the topic and exclusive Educator Resources to extend the lesson beyond the articles. Educator Resources include overviews, learning objectives, printable handouts (such as self-assessments with answer keys), discussion questions, and much more.
- Debate videos: Issues & Controversies includes compelling, thought-provoking, Oxford-style debate videos from the renowned Intelligence Squared U.S. Debate Series, featuring some of the most prominent political figures, journalists, academics, and experts in the United States and throughout the world on a wide range of crucial topics in areas such as crime, law, and justice; economy, money, and business; education; energy and the environment; families and youth; global issues and world affairs; government and politics; health and medicine; race, rights, and liberties; science and technology; and society and culture.
- Editorials: For a broader perspective on contemporary events and conflicts, Issues & Controversies features thousands of editorials and opinions via NewsEdge from prominent newspapers and magazines worldwide and across the political spectrum—including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Miami Herald, Houston Chronicle, Toronto Star, Jerusalem Post, China Daily, Guardian, Atlantic, Nation, and Weekly Standard.
- Audio content: Issues & Controversies features editorially curated and selected National Public Radio (NPR) audio recordings and podcasts—including episodes of NPR’s Fresh Air and On Point—linked directly to specific articles to enhance context, understanding, and research. Along with the original recordings, many feature transcripts of the entire broadcast or selected highlights.
- Infographics: Issues & Controversies includes more than 150 stand-alone infographics, presenting vast amounts of information in easy-to-access charts, graphs, and tables that make it simple for users to visualize statistics and quickly grasp essential ideas.
- Rich related resources: Issues & Controversies contains a topic-based Reuters® newsfeed, editorial cartoons, timelines, primary sources, speeches, congressional testimony, newspaper editorials, and discussion questions and activities that prompt researchers to do their own critical thinking and analysis.
- Curriculum Tools: This section in Issues & Controversies features usage and research tips for students and educators, including:
- Advice on analyzing historical documents, evaluating online sources, and more
- Tips on presenting research, including avoiding plagiarism, citing sources, summarizing articles, writing research papers, and writing and delivering speeches
- Educator tools, including advice on assessing students’ speeches and interviews, exploring point of view with students, holding a town hall meeting, preventing plagiarism, using editorial cartoons in class, and debates.
- Primary sources: Issues & Controversies includes original documents with introductory paragraphs that provide context and background to the sources.
- Court cases: Issues & Controversies contains original, searchable stand-alone articles that summarize key court cases—including those decided by the U.S. Supreme Court—on major issues in contemporary society, including abortion and reproductive rights, affirmative action, animal rights, capital punishment, drugs, gun control, health care, immigration, racial profiling, and more. Each article explains the background of the case, the legal issues it raised, the court’s decision, and its impact.
- Full coverage of each National High School Debate Topic: The National High School Debate Topics section of Issues & Controversies includes comprehensive articles on every annual debate topic since 1997, covering such critical issues as alternative energy, domestic surveillance, and national infrastructure.
- Bill of Rights in Debate: Many of the issues covered by Issues & Controversies deal with constitutional questions; however, the various sides in a debate often interpret what the Constitution says differently. The “Bill of Rights in Debate” section deepens understanding of the U.S. Constitution in contemporary life by linking Issues & Controversies articles directly to constitutional rights.
- Presidential Elections and Administrations: Issues & Controversies provides comprehensive background articles on all presidential races since 1996—including articles about the candidates’ views on campaign issues, party platforms, and excerpts from convention speeches—and the presidencies of Reagan, Clinton, Bush, and Obama.
Features:
- Correlated to Common Core, state, national, provincial, International Baccalaureate Organization, national STEM, and Next Generation Science Standards
- Issues from the headlines, covering the most controversial issues of the 21st century, including capital punishment, drug legalization, energy and climate change, free trade and the economy, gun control, health care, immigration, racial profiling, and world poverty
- Thousands of links to key news stories, timelines, primary source documents, and additional resources giving researchers context, insight, and perspective
- Searchable Reuters® newsfeed, updated hourly, giving students access to the latest news and headlines
- Background Encyclopedia content
- Comprehensive chronologies and overview articles
- Improved search features, including enhanced filters, Search Assist technology, and suggested search terms
- Read Aloud tool
- Google Translate for 100+ languages
- Ability to download text articles as PDFs
- Enhanced Save-to-Folder functionality
- Dynamic citations in MLA and Chicago formats, with EasyBib export functionality
- Searchable Support Center with valuable help materials, how-to tips, tutorials, and live help chat.
LMC/ARBA‘s Best of Reference Award, “Best Overall Reference” and “Best Electronic Reference” categories
The ComputED Gazette‘s Education Software Review Award (EDDIES)
The ComputED Gazette‘s Best Educational Software Award (BESSIES)
Library Journal Best Database
Tech & Learning’s ISTE Best of Show Award
Tech & Learning’s Annual Award of Excellence, “Best Upgraded Products” category
SIIA CODiE Awards Finalist, “Best Source for Reference or Education Resources” category
“…accessible and easy to navigate and will be useful to students working on research projects.”
American Reference Books Annual
“Access to a wide variety of controversial issues will provide students with the building blocks for forming their own opinions, leading to thoughtful research papers and debates. The content and presentation are impressive…will give the [competition] a run for its money…”
Library Journal
Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—Presidential Pardons
Featured in Issues & Controversies: PRESIDENTIAL PARDONS: Does the President Have the Power to Self-Pardon? SUPPORTERS ARGUE The U.S. Constitution grants the president nearly absolute pardoning power. Read More ›
Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—Presidential Pardons
Featured in Issues & Controversies:
PRESIDENTIAL PARDONS: Does the President Have the Power to Self-Pardon?
SUPPORTERS ARGUE
The U.S. Constitution grants the president nearly absolute pardoning power. If the framers of the U.S. Constitution had wished to prohibit self-pardoning, they would have done so explicitly. If the president commits a crime, it is Congress’s job to remove him or her from office through impeachment.
OPPONENTS ARGUE
The U.S. Constitution does not grant the president the power to pardon himself or herself. A self-pardon would be just the kind of abuse of power the framers intended to avoid. No one is above the law, and pardoning oneself for a crime would constitute a president’s failure to faithfully execute the nation’s laws.
Let your students review the facts and decide for themselves: Does the president have the right to self-pardon? Be sure to check out Issues & Controversies’ complete and unbiased coverage of this timely issue. Enhance the debate with the discussion questions, “By the Numbers” data, primary sources, audio and video content, editorials, and newsfeed that are linked to the article.
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Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—U.S.-Saudi Relations
Featured in Issues & Controversies: U.S.-SAUDI RELATIONS: Does the U.S.-Saudi Alliance Advance U.S. Interests? SUPPORTERS ARGUE A close alliance with Saudi Arabia gives the United States the opportunity to invest in an expanding market while guaranteeing steady oil prices. Read More ›
Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—U.S.-Saudi Relations
Featured in Issues & Controversies:
U.S.-SAUDI RELATIONS: Does the U.S.-Saudi Alliance Advance U.S. Interests?
SUPPORTERS ARGUE
A close alliance with Saudi Arabia gives the United States the opportunity to invest in an expanding market while guaranteeing steady oil prices. Saudi Arabia provides the United States with essential intelligence in the fight against terrorism and lends crucial support for U.S. political and military interests in the Middle East.
OPPONENTS ARGUE
The U.S.-Saudi alliance is detrimental to U.S. interests. The United States’ reluctance to condemn Saudi Arabia’s human rights abuses weakens American credibility around the world, and the Arab nation’s use of U.S. weapons to create a humanitarian crisis in Yemen has sabotaged regional stability and undermined U.S. foreign policy.
Let your students review the facts and decide for themselves: Does the U.S.-Saudi alliance advance U.S. interests? Be sure to check out Issues & Controversies’ complete and unbiased coverage of this timely issue. Enhance the debate with the discussion questions, “By the Numbers” data, primary sources, Intelligence Squared U.S. debate videos, editorials, and newsfeed that are linked to the article.
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Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—Natural Disaster Response
Featured in Issues & Controversies: NATURAL DISASTER RESPONSE: Should the U.S. Government Play a Leading Role in Natural Disaster Response? SUPPORTERS ARGUE The U.S. Read More ›
Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—Natural Disaster Response
Featured in Issues & Controversies:
NATURAL DISASTER RESPONSE: Should the U.S. Government Play a Leading Role in Natural Disaster Response?
SUPPORTERS ARGUE
The U.S. government must help victims of natural disasters. It is unrealistic to expect local and state agencies to handle devastation that crosses state lines. The U.S. government must fix disaster spending to acknowledge the reality that concurrent, severe natural disasters will become more common with climate change.
OPPONENTS ARGUE
The main responsibility for responding to natural disasters lies with local and state agencies, not the federal government. Local responders can handle crises far better than a large bureaucracy like FEMA, and unchecked federal assistance discourages communities from taking necessary precautions before disaster strikes.
Let your students review the facts and decide for themselves: Should the U.S. government play a leading role in natural disaster response? Be sure to check out Issues & Controversies’ complete and unbiased coverage of this timely issue. Enhance the debate with the discussion questions, “By the Numbers” data, primary sources, audio content, infographics, editorials, and newsfeed that are linked to the article.
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Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—Conflicts of Interest and the Presidency
Featured in Issues & Controversies: CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND THE PRESIDENCY: Should President Donald Trump—and All Future Presidents—Fully Divest from Their Business Interests? SUPPORTERS ARGUE To avoid conflicts of interest, presidents must fully divest their assets and place them in blind trusts. Read More ›
Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—Conflicts of Interest and the Presidency
Featured in Issues & Controversies:
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND THE PRESIDENCY: Should President Donald Trump—and All Future Presidents—Fully Divest from Their Business Interests?
SUPPORTERS ARGUE
To avoid conflicts of interest, presidents must fully divest their assets and place them in blind trusts. A president whose policy decisions will also affect his or her business interests can never truly be an independent leader committed exclusively to American interests.
OPPONENTS ARGUE
Federal conflict-of-interest laws do not apply to the president. President Trump has taken sufficient steps to separate himself from his business empire, and he can represent American interests without dismantling his life’s work. Divestiture will discourage entrepreneurs from pursuing politics.
Let your students review the facts and decide for themselves: Should President Donald Trump—and all future presidents—fully divest from their business interests? Be sure to check out Issues & Controversies’ complete and unbiased coverage of this timely issue. Enhance the debate with the discussion questions, “By the Numbers” data, primary sources, audio content, editorials, and newsfeed that are linked to the article.
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Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—Politics in Sports
Featured in Issues & Controversies: POLITICS IN SPORTS: Does Politics Have a Place in Sports? SUPPORTERS ARGUE Athletes have a right and a responsibility to engage in political protests during sporting events to draw attention to controversial issues, including racism and social injustice. Read More ›
Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—Politics in Sports
Featured in Issues & Controversies:
POLITICS IN SPORTS: Does Politics Have a Place in Sports?
SUPPORTERS ARGUE
Athletes have a right and a responsibility to engage in political protests during sporting events to draw attention to controversial issues, including racism and social injustice. Recent actions, such as the decision by some football players to take a knee during the national anthem, have been thoughtful and warranted.
OPPONENTS ARGUE
Athletes should refrain from engaging in political protests during sporting events. Sports provide a common space where all Americans should be able to enjoy entertainment free of partisanship and political bickering. Failing to stand during the national anthem disrespects the flag and veterans.
Let your students review the facts and decide for themselves: Does politics have a place in sports? Be sure to check out Issues & Controversies’ complete and unbiased coverage of this timely issue. Enhance the debate with the discussion questions, “By the Numbers” data, primary sources, Intelligence Squared U.S. debate videos, infographics, editorials, and newsfeed that are linked to the article.
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Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Featured in Issues & Controversies: TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT: Is the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 Good Economic Policy? SUPPORTERS ARGUE Cutting taxes will spur economic growth, create jobs, and lead to higher wages for American workers. Read More ›
Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Featured in Issues & Controversies:
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT: Is the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 Good Economic Policy?
SUPPORTERS ARGUE
Cutting taxes will spur economic growth, create jobs, and lead to higher wages for American workers. Reducing individual income tax rates will relieve the tax burden on families and greatly benefit the middle class.
OPPONENTS ARGUE
The tax overhaul consists of handouts to the wealthy. Cutting tax rates for corporations and wealthy Americans will dangerously increase the federal budget deficit while doing little to stimulate the economy or help middle-class families.
Let your students review the facts and decide for themselves: Is the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 good economic policy? Be sure to check out Issues & Controversies’ complete and unbiased coverage of this timely issue. Enhance the debate with the discussion questions, “By the Numbers” data, primary sources, Intelligence Squared U.S. debate videos, infographics, editorials, and newsfeed that are linked to the article.
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Issues & Controversies: 2018 Updates
Issues & Controversies is continuously updated and enhanced, increasing the educational value of this award-winning resource. Here is a recap of some of the content updates made so far this year. Read More ›
Issues & Controversies: 2018 Updates
Issues & Controversies is continuously updated and enhanced, increasing the educational value of this award-winning resource. Here is a recap of some of the content updates made so far this year.
- New articles: Added 10 new and updated articles on high-interest topics such as the opioid crisis, Puerto Rico, women’s rights, marijuana legalization, immigration policy, net neutrality, gun control, health care reform, abortion, and protectionism.
- Primary sources: Added 120 primary sources, including presidential proclamations, congressional testimony, executive agency guidelines, and speeches by senators, representatives, foreign leaders, and others.
- Court cases: Added 115 new Court Case articles on such issues as abortion and reproductive rights, affirmative action, animal rights, capital punishment, drugs, gun control, immigration, Native Americans, and racial profiling.
- Timelines: Added two new timelines.
- Debate videos: Added four new Intelligence Squared debate videos discussing humanitarian interventions, health of democracy worldwide, paying college athletes, and religion.
- Audio: Added 29 National Public Radio (NPR) audio recordings and podcasts.
- Other updates: Added 10 new discussion questions, hundreds of editorials, and hundreds of news stories.
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Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—North Korea
Featured in Issues & Controversies: NORTH KOREA: Should the United States Take More Aggressive Action to Denuclearize North Korea? SUPPORTERS ARGUE North Korea poses a real danger, and its threats should be taken seriously. Read More ›
Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—North Korea
Featured in Issues & Controversies:
NORTH KOREA: Should the United States Take More Aggressive Action to Denuclearize North Korea?
SUPPORTERS ARGUE
North Korea poses a real danger, and its threats should be taken seriously. The United States should substantially increase its military presence in Asia and consider a preemptive strike against North Korea.
OPPONENTS ARGUE
North Korea’s ability to attack the United States has been overstated, and overreaction to its threats may only exacerbate the situation. The United States should pursue a diplomatic solution to the North Korean problem.
Let your students review the facts and decide for themselves: Should the United States take more aggressive action to denuclearize North Korea? Be sure to check out Issues & Controversies’ complete and unbiased coverage of this timely issue. Enhance the debate with the discussion questions, “By the Numbers” data, primary sources, Intelligence Squared U.S. debate videos, infographics, editorials, and newsfeed that are linked to the article.
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Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—Opioid Epidemic
Featured in Issues & Controversies: OPIOID EPIDEMIC: Should the Government Take More Aggressive Measures to Address the Opioid Crisis? SUPPORTERS ARGUE Americans die from opioid abuse every day, and even short periods of prescription painkiller use can lead to devastating consequences. Read More ›
Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—Opioid Epidemic
Featured in Issues & Controversies:
OPIOID EPIDEMIC: Should the Government Take More Aggressive Measures to Address the Opioid Crisis?
SUPPORTERS ARGUE
Americans die from opioid abuse every day, and even short periods of prescription painkiller use can lead to devastating consequences. The government should restrict access to opioids and hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for their role in the crisis.
OPPONENTS ARGUE
Cracking down on opioid use will cause difficulties for patients with chronic pain who legitimately need powerful painkillers. Demonizing pharmaceutical companies that are trying to make drugs more abuse-deterrent will not help address the epidemic.
Let your students review the facts and decide for themselves: Should the government take more aggressive measures to address the opioid crisis? Be sure to check out Issues & Controversies’ complete and unbiased coverage of this timely issue. Enhance the debate with the discussion questions, “By the Numbers” data, primary sources, Intelligence Squared U.S. debate videos, editorials, and newsfeed that are linked to the article.
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Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—Protectionism
Featured in Issues & Controversies: PROTECTIONISM: Should the United States Adopt Protectionist Trade Policies? SUPPORTERS ARGUE Free trade policies are unfair to American workers. Read More ›
Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—Protectionism
Featured in Issues & Controversies:
PROTECTIONISM: Should the United States Adopt Protectionist Trade Policies?
SUPPORTERS ARGUE
Free trade policies are unfair to American workers. Other countries impose tariffs and protectionist measures to shield their industries, and the United States should do the same. The government must adopt policies to protect U.S. manufacturing from unfair foreign competition.
OPPONENTS ARGUE
Imposing tariffs and protectionist measures will impede trade between nations and spark retaliatory tariffs from other countries. Such policies could trigger a global trade war, which would raise prices and slow U.S. economic growth. Free trade keeps prices of many consumer goods low.
Let your students review the facts and decide for themselves: Should the United States adopt protectionist trade policies? Be sure to check out Issues & Controversies’ complete and unbiased coverage of this timely issue. Enhance the debate with the discussion questions, “By the Numbers” data, primary sources, Intelligence Squared U.S. debate videos, infographics, editorials, and newsfeed that are linked to the article.
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Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—Net Neutrality
Featured in Issues & Controversies: NET NEUTRALITY: Should the Government Mandate Net Neutrality? SUPPORTERS ARGUE Net neutrality regulations are essential for preserving the openness of the Internet. Read More ›
Issues & Controversies: Featured Controversy—Net Neutrality
Featured in Issues & Controversies:
NET NEUTRALITY: Should the Government Mandate Net Neutrality?
SUPPORTERS ARGUE
Net neutrality regulations are essential for preserving the openness of the Internet. Lifting these rules will allow Internet service providers to censor or discriminate against content providers, which will hurt start-ups, small businesses, and Internet users.
OPPONENTS ARGUE
The government should maintain a hands-off approach to the Internet, allowing innovation and market forces to work unfettered. Violations of net neutrality are almost nonexistent, and lifting net neutrality rules will not limit freedom on the Internet.
Let your students review the facts and decide for themselves: Should the government mandate net neutrality? Be sure to check out Issues & Controversies’ complete and unbiased coverage of this timely issue. Enhance the debate with the discussion questions, “By the Numbers” data, primary sources, Intelligence Squared U.S. debate videos, infographics, editorials, and newsfeed that are linked to the article.
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Issues & Controversies: 2017 Year in Review—Updates and More
Issues & Controversies has been updated and enhanced throughout the past year, increasing the educational value of this award-winning resource. Read More ›
Issues & Controversies: 2017 Year in Review—Updates and More
Issues & Controversies has been updated and enhanced throughout the past year, increasing the educational value of this award-winning resource.
Recent Updates and Additions:
- New articles: Added six new articles on high-interest topics such as fake news, the electoral college, education (National High School Debate Topic), the Obama presidency, Russia investigation, and the recent travel ban.
- Updated articles: Updated 15 articles on such evergreen subjects as climate change, gun control, health care reform, immigration, manufacturing jobs, marijuana, and women’s rights and sexual harassment.
- Primary sources: Added 29 primary sources in areas such as the Iran nuclear deal, North Korea, fake news, Russia investigation, climate change, transgender rights, and travel ban.
- Timelines: Added six new timelines.
- Discussion questions: Added 35 new discussion questions in curriculum topics on fake news, electoral college, education (National High School Debate Topic), the Obama presidency, the Russia investigation, and the recent travel ban.
- Infographics: Added 296 infographics in areas such as abortion, bullying, capital punishment, environmental regulation, disability rights, legalization of marijuana, gun control, terrorism, immigration, manufacturing, police brutality, race relations, smoking, and voting rights.
- Debate videos: Added 14 Intelligence Squared debate videos featuring climate change, Trump’s presidency, charter schools, U.S.-China relations, video games, and health care reform.
- Audio content: Added 238 NPR audios/podcasts.
- Editorials: Added hundreds of editorials.
- News stories: Added hundreds of news stories.
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Issues & Controversies: New Court Cases Feature
More than 110 articles on court cases have just been added to Issues & Controversies, with more coming soon! These new, original, and searchable stand-alone articles summarize key court cases—including those decided by the U.S. Read More ›
Issues & Controversies: New Court Cases Feature
More than 110 articles on court cases have just been added to Issues & Controversies, with more coming soon! These new, original, and searchable stand-alone articles summarize key court cases—including those decided by the U.S. Supreme Court—on major issues in contemporary society, including abortion and reproductive rights, affirmative action, animal rights, capital punishment, drugs, gun control, immigration, racial profiling, and more. Each article explains the background of the case, the legal issues it raised, the court’s decision, and its impact.
Users can find the new content under the “Resources” drop-down menu on the home page, under the “Court Cases” tab for selected articles on dozens of issues, and from basic and advanced search.
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