Law, Politics and Society

John Symons, professor of philosophy at the University of Kansas, offers an in-depth look at materialism — the idea that all facts, events and objects are dependent on or reducible to physical processes. This multiauthor work features 31 chapters that explore its fascinating history, from the ancient world through the 21st century.

In a new paper, Robert Rohrschneider, the Sir Robert Worcester Distinguished Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas, finds that populist citizens now judge constitutional courts that make decisions on controversial issues with the same skepticism as other political institutions. And their willingness to restrict its authority is increasing.

A KU professor of law has laid out an argument for holding state police agencies responsible for constitutional rights abuses that is different than litigating cases against municipal agencies. Sharon Brett provides the outline for getting injunctions to stem both individual abuses and to prevent future abuses.

Raj Bhala, an international trade law expert at KU, has published two studies that examine the forced labor "revolution" in American trade policy and helps define the emerging area of digital trade.

“Water Law: Concepts and Insights, 2nd Edition” provides an overview of case law, understanding of where water law is currently, including an analysis of the emerging trend of access to water in the United States as a human right.

In a new paper, Margaret Kelley, KU professor of American studies, finds that adults who believe they know a “compromised” gun owner (for example, dangerous, mentally ill or suffering dementia) tend to be much more supportive of “red flag” laws, regardless of political underpinnings.

In a new paper, Jack Zhang, assistant professor of political science at the University of Kansas, finds that heightened political risks from the U.S.-China trade war increased firm exits by 34%. His study highlights the collateral damage tariffs can cause in an age of global value chains.

A paper by Brad Cokelet, associate professor of philosophy at the University of Kansas, was included in the esteemed Philosopher’s Annual, which gathers the top 10 articles during the year in the field of philosophy. Cokelet’s paper titled “Competitive Virtue Ethics and Narrow Morality” introduces a new form of patient-centered virtue ethics.

A KU energy and environmental law professor has published a new study arguing that keeping an open definition of energy communities, or those traditionally dependent on fossil fuel energies, can help ease the transition to renewables. The paper is part of ongoing work in energy justice and transition.

Last chance tourism, or visiting natural sites before they disappear or are altered permanently by climate change, is a growing phenomenon. In a new law review article, a KU scholar examines the literature of tourism, psychology, law and policy to recommend what park managers can do to prepare for and manage the grief and growing visits that come with "eco-necrotourism."