Category Archives: United States History and Society

Challenging Institutional Neutrality

Posted on February 12, 2025 by briansandberg

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is challenging the concept of “institutional neutrality” in higher education institutions. The AAUP makes a forceful argument against so-called “institutional neutrality” on its website: “The AAUP urges universities not to hide behind the … Continue reading →

Posted in Academic Freedom, Authoritarianism, Democracy, Higher Education, Humanities Education, Political Culture, Political Theory, State Development Theory, United States History and Society | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Research and Higher Education Under Assault

Posted on February 12, 2025 by briansandberg

The Trump administration is now launching direct attacks on fundamental research, applied research, higher education, and university and college institutions across the United States. The Washington Post reports that “Days into President Donald Trump’s second term, colleges and universities are … Continue reading →

Posted in Higher Education, Humanities Education, Information Management, Public History, State Development Theory, United States History and Society | Leave a comment

A “Naked Power Grab”

Posted on February 12, 2025 by briansandberg

The unlawful and unconstitutional actions of Elon Musk and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency constitute a “Naked Power Grab,” according to the ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, Representative Rosa DeLauro (D – Connecticut). “The Constitution is clear … Continue reading →

Posted in Empires and Imperialism, Humanities Education, Information Management, Public History, State Development Theory, United States History and Society, Warfare in the Early Modern World | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Developing Constitutional Crisis

Posted on February 11, 2025 by briansandberg

The United States has entered into the maelstrom of a constitutional crisis. Constitutional lawyers and legal historians seem to agree that Elon Musk’s actions and the Trump administration’s broader attempts to disrupt federal agencies have created an unprecedented constitutional crisis … Continue reading →

Posted in Information Management, Political Culture, Political Theory, State Development Theory, United States History and Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On the Rule of Law and Government Spending

Posted on February 10, 2025 by briansandberg

Five former U.S. Secretaries of the Treasury are raising alarm about the unprecedented and unlawful changes made by the Trump administration and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to the system of payments for the entire federal government of … Continue reading →

Posted in History in the Media, Information Management, Legal history, Political Theory, State Development Theory, United States History and Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Proposed Gaza Removal Plan: a Crime Against Humanity

Posted on February 5, 2025 by briansandberg

President Trump’s outrageous suggestion that the United States annex Gaza and remove the Palestinian people from the territory would be blatantly illegal, constituting a crime against humanity. President Trump yesterday proposed seizing Gaza, leveling its remaining buildings, clearing debris, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Atrocities, Civil Conflict, Civilians and Refugees in War, Current Research, Early Modern Europe, Early Modern World, Empires and Imperialism, Genocides, History of Race and Racism, History of Violence, Human Rights, Legal history, Political Culture, Political Theory, Religious Politics, Religious Violence, United States History and Society, War and Society, War, Culture, and Society, Warfare in the Early Modern World, World History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Impending Assault on the Department of Education

Posted on February 3, 2025 by briansandberg

The long-anticipated assault on the Department of Education is now beginning. President Trump and his allies have long wanted to minimize or destroy the Department of Education, as well as broader public education systems in the United States. Educational institutions … Continue reading →

Posted in Academic Freedom, Cultural History, Humanities Education, Legal history, Political Culture, Public History, United States History and Society, Women and Gender History, World History | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

On Payment Systems and Control of State Finances

Posted on February 2, 2025 by briansandberg

Elon Musk and his so-called DOGE team of unelected officials, who are mostly drawn from the tech business sector, now have access to the U.S. Department of Treasury system that handles payment of all federal government payments to individuals and … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal history, Public History, State Development Theory, United States History and Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Celebrating Black History Month in a Time of Crisis

Posted on February 1, 2025 by briansandberg

History professors, teachers, and students across the United States are celebrating Black History Month in a time of crisis. “Feb. 1 is the beginning of Black History Month, which for decades has recognized the contributions of Black people to American … Continue reading →

Posted in Academic Freedom, Historiography and Social Theory, History in the Media, History of Race and Racism, History of Slavery, Human Rights, Humanities Education, Political Culture, The Past Alive: Teaching History, United States History and Society, World History | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Would-be King Trump

Posted on January 22, 2025 by briansandberg

President Trump’s inauguration ceremonies in Washington, D.C., have been filled with royal rhetoric and regal symbolism, promoting the new President as a would-be king. The New York Times reports that “At a late-night inaugural ball on Monday, President Trump, flush … Continue reading →

Posted in Court Studies, Cultural History, Early Modern Europe, Early Modern France, Early Modern World, Empires and Imperialism, French History, History of the Western World, Monarchies and Royal States, Noble Culture and History of Elites, Political Culture, Political Theory, Renaissance Art and History, State Development Theory, United States History and Society | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment