the
POLITIK PRESS
4/21/14
APRIL 21st, 2014
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POLITIK PRESS
Volume XV, Issue X
Volume XV, Issue X
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POLITIK PRESS VOLUME XV, ISSUE X
Volume XV, Issue X
the
the
APRIL 21st, 2014
April 21st 2014
POLITIK PRESS A publication of
JHU POLITIK jhupolitik.org
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Rachel Cohen MANAGING EDITOR Colette Andrei ASSISTANT EDITORS Katie Botto Sarallah Salehi Christine Server CREATIVE DIRECTOR Victoria Scordato COPY EDITOR Peter Lee MARKETING & PUBLICITY Rebecca Grenham Audrey Moss WEBMASTER Sihao Lu FACULTY ADVISOR Steven R. David
HEAD WRITER Julia Allen MARYLAND EDITOR Adam Roberts POLICY DESK EDITOR Michael Bodner STAFF WRITERS Eliza Schultz Dylan Etzel Abigail Sia Adrian Carney Geordan Williams Chris Winer Akshai Bhatnagar Rosellen Grant Preston Ge Corey Payne Mira Haqqani Arpan Ghosh 2
Volume XV, Issue X
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POLITIK PRESS
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Announcing JHU POLITIK’S 2014-15 Masthead ............................ Page 4 Rachel Cohen ’14
WEEK IN REVIEW: Immigration Reform ....................................................... Page 5 Geordan Williams ’14
DROPBOX AND CONDOLEEZA RICE ..............................................
Page 6
Christine Kumar ’16
POST-COLONIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN FRANCE AND AFRICA: Is Francafrique a Has-Been Concept? .......................................... Page 7 Clement Tonon ’16
DEMAGOGUE OF IDEALISM ..................................................
Page 8
Rehka Kennedy ’17
WOMEN AND MEN MUST BE PAID EQUALLY ........................ Page 9 Shannon Libaw ’15
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2014-15 JHU POLITIK MASTHEAD ANNOUNCED by Rachel Cohen ’14, Editor-in-Chief
I am thrilled to announce the new leadership of the 2014-2015 JHU Politik. The future masthead will be:
Editor in Chief: Eliza Schultz ’15 Managing Editor: Christine Server ’16 Head Writer: Julia Allen ’15 Assistant Editors: Katie Botto ’15, Dylan Etzel ’17, Preston Ge ’17, Abigail Sia ’15 Policy Desk Editor: Mira Haqqani ’17 Copy Editor: Florence Noorinejad ’15 Layout Director: Diana Lee ’17 Media and Publicity Director: Eric Chen ’16
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WEEK IN REVIEW: Immigration Reform By Geordan Williams ’14, Staff Writer Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter Bars Transfer of Undocumented Immigrants On Wednesday, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter signed a law prohibiting the Philadelphia police from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on holding undocumented immigrants for transfer to detention centers and eventual deportation. Similar policies have been enacted in two states and at least eight other cities. Laws such as these resist measures imposed under the Secure Communities program, which was established in 2008 and authorizes police and sheriffs’ departments across the country to enforce federal immigration law. This means that law enforcement officials are now authorized to check anyone’s immigration status whether or not they had committed a crime. Nominally, the Secure Communities Program focuses on the prosecution and deportation of violent criminals, but the vast majority of those arrested are non-violent offenders.
Two Million Undocumented Immigrants Deported Under Obama’s Administration A record-breaking 2 million undocumented immigrants have been deported since President Barack Obama came into office a little over five years ago, largely as a result of increased activity under the Secure Communities Program. Hopes of immigration reform shortly after the 2012 elections have been swept aside as political deadlock continues to grip the U.S. Congress and the Obama Administration focuses on implementing the Affordable Care Act. There has not been any significant immigration reform in the U.S. since the passage of the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) in 1986. Meanwhile, over 11 million undocumented immigrants from across the globe continue to live in the U.S.
19 Protestors of Secure Communities Arrested Outside a Jail in Boston, Massachusetts This past Thursday, 19 protestors were arrested outside the entrance to a jail used to detain undocumented immigrants in Boston, Massachusetts. The protesters, along with at least 150 others, were protesting the Obama administration’s record number of deportations. Jails, such as this one in Boston, are used to temporarily house undocumented immigrants until they are turned over to federal immigration authorities under the Secure Communities program. As of 2011, the Department of Home Security (DHS) had contracted with over 250 detention centers in the U.S. that held 429,000 immigrants. These privately run detention centers are widely known to provide inadequate housing, food, and medical care to detainees. The majority of these detainees have not committed felonies, but rather are recent economic immigrants or long time U.S. residents with settled families, partly composed of undocumented immigrants and partly of U.S. citizens. PP
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DROPBOX AND CONDOLEEZA RICE by Christine Kumar ’16, Contributing Writer
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wo weeks ago, technology giant Dropbox announced that former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be joining their board of directors. Company CEO Drew Houston explained in an official statement that Dr. Rice’s addition would help Dropbox “expand its global footprint” in data management and that they were excited to bring on someone “as brilliant and accomplished as Dr. Rice to [their] team.” This addition, however, has not produced the same enthusiasm from some of Dropbox’s consumer base, with many arguing that bringing Condoleezza Rice is an unethical move which carries the potential to endanger the safety and privacy of consumers’ data currently stored in Dropbox. Along with hundreds of tweets from consumers admonishing Dropbox, a new website entitled drop-dropbox. com, has gained traction with followers who are skeptical of Dr. Rice’s appointment. The website argues that Dr. Rice’s involvement with starting the Iraq war, a war that has caused the deaths of almost 188,000 people, along with her history on the board of Chevron, the oil company responsible for significant environmental damage, and, perhaps most incriminatingly, her involvement and authorization of wire-tapping during the Bush administration are all things people should pay attention to. The creators of the website argue that it is immoral to entrust a company with private data in the hands of a woman who not only supported but also authorized several of the wire-tapping projects under the Bush administration. The irony of her joining a company designed to safe keep private data is plainly evident. Beyond the irony, however, is the fact that the government and the tech industry are in fact incredibly intertwined. The Edward Snowden-NSA leaks revealed that the government was taking data from big tech companies such as Google, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Yahoo and Facebook without any permission from the company or their users. Only recently did the Obama administration, as a response to intense private lobbying, initiate a policy where after a period of six months, these companies are allowed to tell their consumers how much data the government has taken from them . This, however, does not describe what data was taken or when it was specifically taken.
To be sure, these companies are not completely innocent, either. Evidence has shown that the NSA has paid millions of dollars to these companies as reimbursement for the stolen data. While the government has refused to stop secretly spying on the American people, technology companies have acquiesced and decided to make a profit by selling consumer data. What Dr. Rice’s appointment to the Dropbox board of directors does is publicize the already strong relationship between government and tech companies. Government needs the data from technology companies to surveil the American population as a preventative measure while these tech companies use their government contracts to continually innovate and develop their products. This symbiotic relationship reveals a mutual respect between government and technology, while consumers and the security of their data are becoming increasingly insignificant. And, while there has been outcry against Dr. Rice’s appointment, many predict that a majority of the almost 275 million Dropbox users will not switch or really care about how Dr. Rice will affect their consumer experience at Dropbox. Other than the initial outcry after Snowden’s leak, there has definitely been a lack of movement or mobilization against the NSA and against the government for their clear invasion of privacy. So yes, Dr. Rice’s role in the Bush administration does raise some questions about her character and judgement. Her involvement with wiretapping definitely should cause concern. But, ultimately, it will not affect how Dropbox manages data, its relationship with the government, or data security in general. Government and the tech industry need each other, and they will continue to use each other even at the expense of their consumer base. Perhaps the question should not be how Dr. Rice’s appointment endangers the safety of personal data, but why is private consumer data being exchanged without consent in the first place? PP
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Volume XV, Issue X
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POST-COLONIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN FRANCE AND AFRICA: IS “FRANCAFRIQUE” A HAS-BEEN CONCEPT? by Clement Tonon ’16, Contributing Writer
T
he modern relationship between France and Africa have their roots in a secular history of conquest and cohabitation. The French colonization of sub-Saharan Africa began after 1850 under Emperor Napoleon III. This effort was largely continued during the Third Republic and, in 1884, the Conference of Berlin shared out the continent between European powers. By 1920, France ruled over virtually all the north-western part of Africa from Algeria to Gabon with the notable exception of Nigeria and Ghana. Forty years later, most of the French colonies in Africa became independent. However, even after 1960, strong economic, strategic, political and cultural ties linked France with its former colonies. These ties were strong enough to allow many scholars and politicians to talk about the emergence of “Françafrique” and to evoke the French “pré carré” (private preserve) in Africa. Former President Nicolas Sarkozy and his successor Francois Hollande expressed their determination to end the opaque relations between French and West-African officials, which had long been promoted by the “cellule Africaine” (the cabinet of African Affairs) at the Elysée Palace. This group of senior executives and diplomats followed an often secret and aggressive policy to defend French interests in Africa, especially when headed by Jacques Foccart. However, after the military interventions in Mali during January of 2013, and the Central African Republic during December of 2013, many claim that France still behaves like a colonial power in its former zone of influence and still considers West Africa as its “pré carré.” In spite of the fact that French Secretary of State Laurent Fabius publicly asserted that France was no longer “Africa’s policeman,” it must be noted that French military presence in the continent remains extensive. With 11 permanent military bases and 20,900 soldiers deployed in its former colonies, France is still one of the foremost military powers in Africa. Thus, when Tuareg jihadists threatened Malian territorial integrity by proclaiming the independence of the northern province of Azawad in 2012, this network of bases allowed France to intervene quickly with logistical support from the US. Similarly, when the
Islamic armed group Seleka overthrew the government of the Central African Republic in late 2013, threatening Christian populations, France was the only Western country able to send troops to carry out the disarming of Muslim militias. If France’s strategic presence on the continent is still dominant, it is worth noticing that its interventions more frequently involve African armed forces – African Union troops in the Central African Republic and a UN-sponsored African force in Mali. Moreover, the legal framework of the UN generally backs them. In a break with the unilateralism characterizing the post-colonial era, legitimacy and cooperation seem to be the new features of French strategic influence in Africa. The economic ties between West-Africa and France remain vivacious as well. As far as financial ties are concerned, the two CFA Franc currencies used in 14 countries - namely the West African CFA franc and the Central African CFA franc - are guaranteed by the French Treasury and have a fixed exchange rate to the euro. Moreover, France is still the main trading partner of several countries in West-Africa such as Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon. French firms, thanks to a widespread political network among African elites, are major actors in former French colonies. For example, Bolloré Africa Logistics, a branch of Bolloré Group, a French multinational, is now present in 43 African countries and controls a great number of port facilities in West-Africa such as Douala (Cameroun), Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) and Cotonou (Benin). Taking advantage of past French occupation, Bolloré Group also bought several former colonial infrastructures and its CEO, Vincent Bolloré, established a personal network with several African heads of state. If France remains a major power in Africa, since the beginning of the 21st century its influence has been less unilateral. It has instead sought the legitimacy of international law and cooperation with other African actors. Moreover, the “special relationship” between France and Western Africa may weaken as France looks to the huge economic potential of English-speaking Africa and as Western African countries seek to break the French monopoly by opening their economies and military facilities to other countries. PP
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DEMAGOGUE OF IDEALISM by Rekha Kennedy ’17, Contributing Writer
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ndia is currently running the largest democratic elections with over 800 million eligible voters for the lower half of it bicameral legislature (Lok Sabha), which holds 545 total seats. Two parties, the Barathiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC), are currently competing for votes. The BJP, a socially conservative party advocates more “Hindu nationalist” policies. Alternatively, the INC, run mostly by the Nehru-Gandhi, pushes more liberal policies both nationally and internationally. Although these elections are only to determine the seats for the Lok Sabha, the national electoral system in India is set up in the way that the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of the legislature) elect the prime minister. The two prime minister candidates are yet to be officially announced for either party—however, many believe that both BJP and India’s front-runner seems to be Narendra Modi. One wonders how this is possible with Modi having ties to the anti-Muslim riots that broke out in his home state of Gujarat when he was chief minister. Modi has never publicly come forward and taken responsibility or apologized for the actions taken under his watch, but others in his party have been charged with inciting violence. With a population comprising nearly 14% Muslim, one wonders how well Modi’s election will be handled and whether his ties to anti-Muslim riots will be forgiven and forgotten. Similarly, he initially claimed that he was a bachelor but then recently admitted to being married through an arranged marriage at 17 and then amicably separating ways with his wife. Some believe that Modi is under a vow of celibacy because the strict Hindu party is supposedly to require it of all its members. His ties to this strong Hindu organization is another point of concern to Indian Muslims who believe this organization to be responsible for many anti-Muslim acts. One must try to understand why Modi has been the leading choice in the first place despite a murky political and personal background. Under all these suspicious acts and background, Modi is still the frontrunner for Prime Minster of
India. He seems to attract people with a new vision of India different from the old India of the NehruGandhi dynasty. However, Modi also seems to have a dimension of charisma that allows him to relate to all Indians through his humbleness. Emphasizing his own abstemious nature in both material goods and his lack of an immediate family, he highlights that his priority is to the people. He brings back nationalist sentiments that were not as strong since India gained its independence. He boldly addresses his opinions on sometimes very controversial issues. He claims to be an open-book, a self-made man, of the people, and the bringer of change. Everything Modi sells is charisma packaged in idealist propositions and nationalist rhetoric. Modi has turned the election into a personality driven one. He is the Weberian politician who attracts followers through charisma. However, politics becomes popularity game where the winner is the individual who can most persuasively offer the most promises. Modi’s suspicious ties with anti-Muslim riots and his enigmatic personal life have not had the negative effect on his popularity that one would expect. He has instead become India’s Knight in Shining Armor waiting to be elected, selling a fairytale that Indians want to believe. He has promised hope in despair and prosperity in poverty. He has convinced people that romanticism is possible in the age of realism. So when one asks “why Modi?” the answer is simple—he has become the demagogue of idealism, appealing to the dreams, anxiety, and patriotism of India. Modi ultimately sells an India that everyone can get behind—he sells a country that can hold onto her village charm and have her modern technology. PP
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Volume XV, Issue X
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WOMEN AND MEN MUST BE PAID EQUALLY by Shannon Libaw ’15, Staff Writer
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he gender wage gap is both a problem of social justice and economics. Wage inequality highlights the limited progress society has made in creating parity between the genders. In recent decades, women have increasingly entered the workforce and are less likely to fulfill only a domestic role. Given that women hold many of the same positions as men, such as doctors, lawyers, and scientists, it is inconceivable why they do not receive equal pay. President Barack Obama recently mandated that women deserve equal pay, and that 2014 should be a year for action to achieve this. The problem of wage inequality is one of social justice, and will have dire consequences if not addressed. In order to achieve gender equality, legislation must be actively pursued, lest women will continue to face discrimination in the workplace. Consequently, employers must pay closer attention to this issue. Five years ago, the Lilly Ledbetter Act was passed, intended to remedy pay discrimination. However, today women are still paid 77 cents, on average, for every dollar a man receives. Furthermore, Lisa Maatz, from the American Association of University Women, states that even when accounting for things such as occupation, major, and hours worked, women who work full time are still paid seven percent less than males after graduation. Since the passing of the Lilly Ledbetter Act, Congress has not addressed this issue sufficiently. President Obama has maintained that he will sign two executive orders on Tuesday in order to make progress on these issues. The executive orders relate to the issue of federal contractors being unable to discuss earnings as well as calling for the release of employee compensation data. It is a positive sign that Obama wants to pass executive orders to encourage equal pay, but employers themselves must also want to treat men and women equally in order for the policies to be successfully implemented.
This problem discourages women from pursuing many occupations, and unfairly keeps women ignorant about how much pay they should receive. In our government, women, just as any other group of people, deserve to fully participate in the labor market, and should be aware when they are or are not being paid the same as men for the same amount of work. Although women hold many important jobs, the cultural stigma, often present in employers’ minds, inhibits them from paying women the same as men. The fact that women have already made so much progress with regards to increasing workplace representation and educational attainment is a positive sign. However, the issue of wage inequality demonstrates that much more progress needs to be made. According to Maya L. Harris, the Vice President for Democracy, Rights and Justice at the Ford Foundation, a majority of Americans, regardless of geography, gender, race or party affiliation support this issue. This is a good indication that public opposition does not pose a significant threat to implementing wage equality, but, again, employers play a huge role in this. Hopefully this issue gain significant attention in the future, and with enough public pressure, Congress may ultimately take the steps necessary to implement equal pay. Furthermore, the President can unilaterally take action to gradually remedy this problem, but that success is significantly inhibited by the political context he faces in Congress. As women increasingly fill multiple roles, such as parenting and working full-time, our policies must better reflect the recognition that we deserve. PP
Wage inequality is a social justice problem because it unfairly discriminates against women. There is no reason for women to be paid less than men simply because of ignorant views about female incompetency.
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April 2014
t s S n e i x a u g a A l s A n ssault i k p o H Compete for your fraternity/sorority/yourself! Win giftcards, condoms, and more! Support consent at Hopkins!
Wednesday, April 23 11am to 3pm in front of Gilman A Project of the JHU College Democrats With support from the Sexual Assault Resource Unit, Hopkins Feminists, Voice for Choice, and the Office of Student Life
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Volume XV, Issue X
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SVU vs. Reality
Š NBC
featuring Sara Alcid
from
EverydayFeminism.com
A dynamic presentation on the portrayal of sexual assault in the media vs. reality with guest speaker Sara Alcid. The event will focus on the popular TV show Law and Order: SVU and we will screen short clips followed by commentary and discussion.
Hosted by:
Friday, April 25, at 4 p.m. in Mudd 26 Dinner will be served
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WRITE FOR thePOLITIK PRESS
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The Politik Press, originally founded in 2008 as JHU Politik, is a weekly publication of political opinion pieces. We proudly seek to provide the Johns Hopkins campus with student voices and perspectives about important issues of our time. Rather than hide within a cloistered academic bubble, we know we must critically engage with the world that surrounds us. That, we believe, is at the heart of what it means to be learning. We’re lucky to be situated in the city of Baltimore, a city with a rich history and an ever-changing politics. We aim to look at the politics of the Homewood campus, of the city of Baltimore, of the domestic landscape of the United States, and then of the international community as well. While we publish the Politik Press weekly, we work simultaneously on our special issues which come out once per semester. These magazines confront a single topic from multiple angles. We have run issues covering topics like the political nature of research, the Arab Spring, and our city Baltimore.
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