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Government
Government is a key part of any society and culture. Learn more about different types of government, politics and civic issues.
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Learn More / Page 14
How Campaign Communication Technology Works
Your presidential candidate has a MySpace page. Learn how campaign communications technology has changed the way races are run and won.
How Presidential Pardons Work
The president of the United States has the unique ability to override the justice system, and rid convicts of their record. Where does this power come from, and why do presidential pardons raise so many eyebrows?
How Passports Work
Are you up to date with your passport or e-passport? It's a must-have when you're traveling out of the country. Read up on the latest laws and watch videos on cutting-edge passport technology.
How the Patriot Act Works
Supporters claim it's been instrumental for security investigations and terrorist arrests, while critics counter that it gives the government too much power and undermines democracy. Let's take a look at what the Patriot Act is, what people say about it, and whether it's really working.
Can the government read your private e-mails?
E-mail is now protected from secret government searches thanks to a recent U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling. Read about this landmark e-mail privacy ruling.
How the Virtual Border Fence Works
A virtual border fence uses a complex network of cameras and radar to detect illegal border crossers. Find out how a virtual border fence system works.
How U.S. Marshals Work
The U.S. Marshals Service is the oldest law enforcement agency in the nation. Learn about famous U.S. Marshals and the duties and history of U.S. Marshals.
How Spies Work
Spies have shaped foreign policy, altered the course of wars and left a deep (though usually hidden) impression on world history. It's a tense and often deadly job.
How E-voting Works
Would you be more willing to vote if you could sidestep the nuisances of finding the correct polling location and standing in line for hours increase voter participation? E-voting could make it possible.
Is the U.S. government building a Gattaca-level DNA database?
The United States is involved in a massive expansion in the DNA-collecting capabilities of the federal government. Find out who this law affects and about the controversy surrounding DNA databases.
Is the FBI reading my e-mail?
When the FBI announced two years ago that it no was longer using its Carnivore Internet surveillance software, it seemed like a victory. Find out why the techniques employed in the new ISP-based surveillance approach may be even more evasive.
Which secret government documents will be declassified on December 31?
This New Year's Eve, at midnight on the dot, hundreds of millions of pages of U.S. government secrets will be revealed.
How Immigration Works
A U.S. soldier is about to deploy to Iraq for his third tour of duty. While he's gone, his wife may be deported to Guatemala while his son is left in limbo. What's behind immigration laws?
Do I have a terrorist score on file with Homeland Security?
In a document released in November 2006, the Department of Homeland Security revealed aspects of a targeting program that most citizens and many lawmakers didn't know about.
Is there genocide happening in Darfur?
The Darfur region of Sudan has been in a state of crisis since 2003. Whether what's going on in the African province qualifies as genocide is a point of international debate.
If a child is born on an airplane, what's his place of birth and citizenship?
Recently, a child was born on a flight from London to Boston. The plane landed in Nova Scotia. How do you determine which country the child is an official citizen of? Find out in this article.
How can someone tamper with an electronic voting machine?
Instead of "Democrat or Republican," the more pressing question has become "accurate count or complete debacle?" With e-voting, the entire setup is electronic, not just the actual casting of the vote.
What happens in a coup d'etat?
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was in New York, preparing to address the United Nations as the leader of Thailand, when he found out he was out of a job. Learn how a coup d'etat works.
What exactly is fascism?
President Bush once referred to the "War on Terror" as "the war against Islamic fascism." Is that an accurate portrayal?
How does the FBI decide who makes the Most Wanted list?
The FBI's Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list has been an unqualified success since its inception in the 1950s. Learn how they choose its members.
Why has the World Trade Center memorial been delayed?
In an interview, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin reportedly answered a question about flooded vehicles with the statement, "You guys in New York can't get a hole in the ground fixed, and it's five years later. So let's be fair." Learn why, or whether, the WTC memorial project is behind schedule.
How 9-1-1 Works
The idea behind 9-1-1 is pretty simple: Give people a single, easy-to-remember number to call to receive help during any life-threatening situation. Learn how 9-1-1 got started and how it works.
How the CIA Works
Despite plenty of Hollywood films about the CIA and its spies, many people still don't know what the agency actually does. In this article, we'll take a look at the history of the CIA and the scandals that have rocked it through the decades.
How the FBI Works
Find out what the FBI does, how it started, and what it takes to become an FBI agent. We'll also take a look at some of the tools and techniques used by the FBI and learn about J. Edgar Hoover.
How Firefighter Training Works
To a typical kid, the only thing cooler than a firetruck is a person who rides in one. Take a closer look at what it takes to become a municipal firefighter and examine different elements of their training.
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