Social philosophy

Comprehensive immigration reform is the word of the week. Senators have a plan, the president has a plan and activists have more plans than they know what to do with. But if history is any judge, these plans for comprehensive reform will have a tough road ahead of them.

Hispanics played a major role in deciding November’s presidential election. And now, as President Barack Obama prepares to start his second term with an eye on immigration reform, many Hispanic activists are hoping to take that new power and put it to work.

The Chinese people don’t know much about where their big leadership transition is supposed to happen — but they know it’s soon. Slowly, more people are calling on the government to be more transparent in its process.

Spain continues to struggle to rebuild its economy and those who are out of work are growing increasingly frustrated. In recent months, several workers marches have been held, and in some the generally peaceful protests have turned into mob actions, which include stealing from grocery stores and banks — ostensibly for the poor.

In Egypt, sexual harassment has become a common problem. And it’s a problem that officials aren’t doing anything about. It’s even infected the heart of the revolution, Tahrir Square, where even a protest rally against sexual harassment ended in a number of women being attacked.