Government

In the arguments about U.S. health care reform, you'll often hear a country held up as the worst or best example of what health care can be. What is health care like around the globe?

By Molly Edmonds

If you've been watching the news or using social media, you've seen angry protesters, town hall free-for-alls and red-faced pundits -- all irate over the issue of health care reform. A lot of the hullabaloo is about "facts" that are just plain myths.

By Maria Trimarchi & Molly Edmonds

Whether you indignantly objected when Fox canceled "Firefly" or marched around your nation's capital hoping for change, you're a protester. But would you stop paying your taxes to voice your displeasure? Would you face down a tank?

By Robert Lamb

Want to see a party turn into an all-out brawl? Invite people of differing political views and bring up abortion. But for such a controversial topic, many people often know surprisingly little about the procedure behind the politics.

By Molly Edmonds

What goes on in other people's bedrooms has long been an issue that divides people in the United States. Planned Parenthood, provider of sexual health information and services, is no stranger to controversy.

By Molly Edmonds

Although the arduous Senate confirmation process can break even the strongest candidates, the vast majority of presidential appointees are ultimately confirmed. We present the cases of 10 unfortunate exceptions to that rule.

By Josh Clark

The vice presidency was originally a consolation prize given to the runner-up in the national election. More than two centuries later, the role of vice president is little more respected among the public than it was in the beginning.

By Josh Clark

When the framers of the Constitution considered an executive branch, they were still stinging from the despotic rule of King George III. But, they saw the need for a single person to lead. Enter the president of the United States.

By Josh Clark & Melanie Radzicki McManus

When you think of propaganda, Rosie the Riveter may come to mind. A lot of famous pieces of propaganda were created during World War II, but this covert practice of persuasion stretches as far back as ancient Rome.

By Alia Hoyt

Wishing you could start your own country? There's good news and bad news. The bad news is that it will take a lot of hard work to make this dream come true. But the good news is that there's actually a procedure in place to make it happen.

By Josh Clark

Nearly three decades ago, the booming Chinese population caused the government to limit most couples to one child. The plan worked, but at what expense?

By Maria Trimarchi

During the Cold War, the U.S. and USSR stockpiled weapons but never started a nuclear war. What held them back from launching a strike for nearly 40 years? Could two nations embroiled in conflict have made a mutual agreement not to strike?

By Josh Clark

Judy Blume, John Steinbeck and Maya Angelou are among the top 10 most challenged American authors. But to be challenged is not to be banned. What does it take to ban a book?

By Cristen Conger

If you decide to go nameless, the cops won't hunt you down and throw you in the slammer. But you may have trouble functioning in society.

By Cristen Conger

Spying is an important part of government intelligence gathering. This collection of pictures gives you an insight into this highly secretive task.

The donkey and the elephant are widely recognized symbols of the U.S. Democratic and Republican parties. But what do animals have to do with politics, and how do cartoons fit in?

By Sam Abramson

If you get tagged for extra security screening each time you take a flight, you may be on a government watch list. Find out how you -- innocent you -- made the list.

By Cristen Conger

Hitler, Kim Jong-Il, Saddam Hussein: Dictators come hand-in-hand with violence and controversy. But what makes a dictator different from any other leader?

By Shanna Freeman

Can you kiss your old life goodbye and start anew? In the movies, people do it all the time, but a real-life clean slate is a little more complicated.

By Charles W. Bryant

Communism is a type of government that relies on the collectivization of labor and goods to equal out the classes. How did communism become the dominant form of government in several large countries?

By Alia Hoyt

The Green Party wants to break up American politics' two-party system. But will their beliefs in environmental and social responsibility ever convert U.S. voters?

By Robert Lamb

Once a president reaches the end of a second term, everyone begins looking for his or her successor. How much influence do so-called lame ducks wield?

By Josh Clark

Every four years, the state of Iowa becomes a political hotbed when it hosts its caucuses. Each state has its own nominating contests, so why does Iowa mean so much to the candidates and the media?

By Sarah Gleim

The EPA was established to protect human health and the environment. How does the agency interpret and enact environmental legislation?

By Sarah Dowdey

The U.S. Postal Services delivers 143 billion pieces of mail a year. But it's been struggling financially for years. Will it survive? And how do your letters get to the right place?

By Lee Ann Obringer & Melanie Radzicki McManus