Stanford Politics

Editor’s Note

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or over half a decade, Stanford Politics has come to be known as this campus’s primary platform for long-form, thoughtful, and original student journalism. After months of work, our first issue of the year continues to exemplify these standards and ideals.

A summer defined by a global pandemic, a racial reckoning, and raging wildfires has left Americans with deep physical and spiritual wounds. To many, it has become evident that leaping reforms in the United States are necessary for the nation to heal. In response to this unprecedented moment in history, our latest magazine centers around the theme of justice . Our writers not only investigate instances of domestic and international injustice, but also thoughtfully engage with how different systems can and ought to exist. 

Our cover story details the work of Students for Workers’ Rights in their struggle to secure financial support for Stanford workers during the outbreak of COVID-19. The story started over six months ago and offers an in-depth illustration of workers’ and student activists’ experiences engaging with the university. Written by Kyle Wang, it details the unique challenges faced by subcontracted and undocumented workers in securing job pay and security both before and during the pandemic. 

The rest of the magazine addresses equally pressing and important issues related to justice. Avery Rogers investigates the role our country’s prosecution system plays in driving mass incarceration. Inspired by her thesis work, Courtney Cooperman details the unique challenges homeless people face in engaging with democracy in the U.S. Mac Taylor questions the use of AI algorithms in American sentencing procedures, and Gabby Conforti addressed the false hope offered by Lebanon’s new government in the wake of the Beirut explosion. 

As always, this magazine was only possible because of the countless hours our writers, editors, and designers dedicated throughout the summer. I am hopeful their words and ideas will resonate with and inspire many readers, as the best journalism does. And despite the challenges that come along with reporting in a remote setting, let this issue stand to show that our work will not stop. 

Nathalie Kiersznowski, Editor-in-Chief

Contents

From Cuffs to Conviction
The Role of Prosecutors in Driving America’s Mass Incarceration Problem

Avery Rogers

Unhoused and Unequal
How Homelessness Undermines American Democracy

Courtney Cooperman

Stanford Workers Cut Off
Stanford’s Fumbled Coronavirus Response Highlights Problems Workers and Student Activists have Struggled with for Years

Kyle Wang

AI Prediction Tools Claim to Alleviate an Overcrowded Justice System… But Should they be Used?

Alexandra “Mac” Taylor

Changes in Government Leadership Offer False Hope for Lebanon

Gabby Conforti