Policy Briefs

YIP's policy briefs provide clear, nonpartisan summaries of key national issues and policies. Designed for accessibility, they distill complex topics into concise, understandable analyses, bridging the gap between intricate policy debates and a broad audience. These briefs embody our commitment to informed, unbiased discourse, crucial for fostering a well-informed public and encouraging active engagement in policy discussions.

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Briefs harmonize diverse political perspectives in policy teams of 4-6 for insightful policy solutions.

Recent Policy Briefs

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Harvesting the Future: Analyzing the Role of the Farm Bill in Shaping the Agricultural Industry

Economic Policy

Donovan Zagorin

Farming as an industry is largely impacted and dictated in some way by policy, specifically the farm bill. This brief will analyze the role the farm bill plays in the industry and how its revisions can impact the future of farming.

Finland in NATO: Bolstering Arctic Defense & Baltic Stability

Foreign Policy

Chanhee Joy Park

From World War II to the joint “friendship agreement” with the Soviet Union, Finland’s demonstration of remaining neutral in politics has been consistent through the decades. However, the long-standing policy of non-alignment with foreign countries has shifted in recent months. As Russian aggression sought to tear down Ukraine and the threat in neighboring countries grew, Finland moved swiftly to embrace collective security amid regional uncertainty. This brief traces the increasing political and diplomatic interception carried out by Finland over the years. It also details the increasing need for military infrastructure buildup in Finland along its borders and the need for caution against nuclearization in the region.

Breaking the Cycle: A Comprehensive Approach to Reducing Recidivism through Holistic Rehabilitation

Criminal Justice

Ahad Khan

The following brief explores the imperative of holistic criminal rehabilitation as an effort to strengthen the justice system. It focuses on educational, resource-related, and psychological models as a way of achieving the former. Furthermore, it discusses the varying stances associated with holistic rehabilitation in the United States alongside the shortcomings of the aforementioned models and the consequences related to avoiding humanizing our justice system.

Debt Ceiling Dilemma: Evaluating its Necessity, Economic Impact, and Solutions

Economic Policy

Jordyn Ives

The debt ceiling is a recurring debate every year and has been for decades. This brief will explore this debate in terms of the history behind it, the policy surrounding it, and the conclusions we can draw. The goal is to understand the nature of the debt ceiling as well as the various consequences that can result from the various solutions.

Race-Based Admissions: A Multifaceted Examination

Social Policy

Aneesh Mazumder

Race-based admissions at universities exemplify the intricate and evolving nature of affirmative action policies, with these universities encountering legal battles to shape the guidelines considering race within admissions. These debates and experiences have far-reaching implications for the future of affirmative action policies by shaping the landscape of diversity and inclusion in higher education. This exerts a considerable influence on the admissions practices and opportunities for underrepresented groups, with the ongoing evolution of affirmative action policies underscoring the pursuit of creating equitable and inclusive educational environments.

Chinese Investments in Latin America

Foreign Policy

Sarika Rahman

Since the turn of the 21st century, China has strategically developed geopolitical interests within the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region, with key investments in natural resources to many of the largest South American state-owned enterprises. China’s expansion of its investment portfolio within the region highlights China’s growing demand for raw materials, as well as efforts to consolidate political prowess within the region. This brief explains how China developed strong diplomatic and profitable relations within the LAC from the start of the 21st century to the status quo. It highlights prominent stances on the upsurge of Sino-Latin foreign relations, specifically emphasizing external global competitive forces. Furthermore, it explains pressing environmental and economic concerns regarding Chinese involvement within the LAC regions. Finally, it argues that the U.S. policy approach should challenge Chinese hegemony through competitive investments and focusing on relevant U.S.-Latin initiatives, rather than aggressive interruption or punitive disruption of existing Sino-Latin relations.