Author: TheConversation

By Rohan Shah, Assistant Professor of Economics, University of Mississippi; Institute for Humane Studies A potentially worrisome trend is emerging among young adults. Instead of landing a job and moving to the big city after graduation, many are moving back into their childhood homes instead. About 1.5 million more adults under 35 live with their parents today than a decade ago. That’s a 6.3% jump, more than double the rate of growth for the young adult population overall. The issue is affordability. Over the past decade, urban rents have climbed about 4% per year, while wages for full-time workers...

By Gregory A. Daddis, Professor and Melbern G. Glasscock Endowed Chair in American History, Texas A&M University In an unprecedented step, the Department of Defense announced online on November 24, 2025, that it was reviewing statements by U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat, who is a retired Navy captain, decorated combat veteran, and former NASA astronaut. Kelly and five other members of Congress with military or intelligence backgrounds told members of the armed forces “You can refuse illegal orders” in a video released on Nov. 18, reiterating oaths that members of the military and the intelligence community swear to...

By Andrew Latham, Professor of Political Science, Macalester College Many column inches have been dedicated to dissecting the “great power rivalry” currently playing out between China and the U.S. But what makes a power “great” in the realm of international relations? Unlike other states, great powers possess a capacity to shape not only their immediate surroundings but the global order itself – defining the rules, norms and structures that govern international politics. Historically, they have been seen as the architects of world systems, exercising influence far beyond their neighborhoods. The notion of great powers came about to distinguish between...

By Kelley Cours Anderson, Assistant Professor of Marketing, College of Charleston Not long ago, the idea of getting paid to share your morning routine online would have sounded absurd. Yet today, influencers are big business: The global market is expected to surpass US$32 billion by the end of 2025. Rooted in celebrity culture but driven by digital platforms, the influencer economy represents a powerful force in both commerce and culture. I’m an expert on digital consumer research, and I see the rise of influencers as an important evolution in the relationship between companies, consumers and creators. Historically, brands leaned...