Power Archives

Home Power

President Donald Trump walks to reporters before leaving the White House for the G20 summit on June 26th, 2019.

What Does Being a Man’s ‘Type’ Have to Do With Harassment and Rape?

President Donald Trump recently defended himself against an accusation of rape by saying the accuser wasn't his type. How much does attraction play into sexual harassment and assault?

Francie Diep

Environment

A Study Finds That the Costs of Hydroelectric Dams Have Been ‘Grossly Underestimated’

Dams have been linked to habitat degradation, worsened biodiversity, and negative changes in river ecology.

Claire Asher

Democrat U.S. Senate candidate Kyrsten Sinema participates in the pregame coin toss before the game between the Utah Utes and the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on November 3rd, 2018, in Tempe, Arizona.

As Votes Roll in, Fresh Records for Women’s Representation in U.S. Government Are Within Reach

By the morning after Election Day, America knew the number of women in the House of Representatives would hit historic highs. Could the Senate and governors' mansions, too?

Francie Diep

Democratic candidate for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District Sharice Davids (L) and her mother, Crystal Herriage, celebrate with supporters during an election night party on November 6th, 2018, in Olathe, Kansas. Davids defeated incumbent Republican Kevin Yoder. Davids and Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico) will become the first Native American women to serve in Congress.

News in Brief

How a Record Number of Female Candidates Translated Into Numbers of Women in Power

A record number of women ran for some of the nation's highest offices this year. Here's how they've influenced the gender make-up of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the states' governors.

Francie Diep

News in Brief

For Men, a Fear of Being Judged as Inept Incites Sexual Harassment

In a new study, males were more likely to endorse sexually aggressive behavior if they worried they were viewed as incompetent.

Tom Jacobs

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez celebrates with supporters at a victory party after upsetting incumbent Democratic Representative Joseph Crowley on June 26th, 2018, in New York City.

News in Brief

Get to Know Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Who Could Become the Youngest Woman in Congress

Pacific Standard spoke to Ocasio-Cortez about how she got to where she is and why it matters that young women and women of color are running for office.

Megan Kimble

Economics

Why Are the Hopi Suing to Save a Coal-Fire Power Plant?

Officials from the tribe worry about the economic impacts of closing the Navajo Generating Station, but water conservationists are pushing for the region to move on.

Debra Utacia Krol

Social Justice

Chronic Feelings of Powerlessness Spur Men to Engage in Sexual Harassment

Research finds men who feel metaphorically impotent, and then assume a position of authority, are more likely to sexually harass subordinates.

Tom Jacobs

Height Discrimination and Strategies for Social Change

In her new book, lawyer Tanya Osensky argues that constantly monitoring height is a symptom and driver of a pervasive "heightism" that unjustly frames tallness as powerful and shortness as weak.

Peter C. Baker