The Most Popular Op-Eds, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the Op-Eds you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 6, 2024 06:15
Opinion pieces play a crucial role in shaping public discourse and offering diverse perspectives on current affairs. Voters like you contribute by selecting pieces that resonate most, thereby reflecting collective preferences and insights. This dynamic process aids in understanding broad societal consensus and varied viewpoints.
Through your participation, each vote cast not only elevates the visibility of certain opinions but also crafts a more balanced view of public sentiment. Engaging with this list not only informs you of topical discussions but also empowers you to shape the narrative by prioritizing content that matters most to the community.
What Are the Most Popular Op-Eds?
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191votesThis op-ed, published in The Atlantic, argues for reparations as a way to address the lingering effects of slavery and discrimination in the United States.
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239votes
"US Government Photo" · Public domain"I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr.This famous speech, delivered at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, advocates for civil rights and equality for all Americans."I Have a Dream" is a powerful and iconic speech delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. The speech is considered one of the most significant pieces of American history, advocating for racial equality and civil rights.- Date: August 28, 1963
- Location: Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C.
- Speech Type: Op-Ed
- Length: Approximately 17 minutes
- Theme: Civil rights and racial equality
"I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King Jr. in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous speech in the world
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323votes
"What Is College For?" by Andrew Delbanco
Andrew DelbancoThis op-ed, published in The New York Times, explores the purpose and value of a college education in the modern world.The Op-Ed titled "What Is College For?" by Andrew Delbanco explores the purpose and value of a college education in modern society. Delbanco raises crucial questions about the role of universities and challenges the prevailing perspective that views college solely as a means to secure employment and economic success.- Title: What Is College For?
- Author: Andrew Delbanco
- Publication Date: February 13, 2012
- Newspaper: The New York Times
- Word Count: 1,200 words
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423votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain"The End of History?" by Francis Fukuyama
Francis FukuyamaThis influential essay, published in The National Interest in 1989, argues that the collapse of the Soviet Union marks the end of the ideological struggle between communism and democracy, and the triumph of liberal democracy as the dominant political system.The End of History? is an influential Op-Ed written by Francis Fukuyama that was published in the journal 'The National Interest' in the summer of 1989. The article presented Fukuyama's thesis that the fall of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent triumph of liberal democracy signaled the end of ideological evolution, marking the ultimate stage of human political and economic development.- Publication Date: 1989
- Journal: The National Interest
- Thesis: The end of ideological evolution with the triumph of liberal democracy
- Influence: Highly influential and widely debated
- Scope: Global political and philosophical implications
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515votes
Jonathan Swift · Public domain"A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift
Jonathan SwiftThis satirical essay, originally published in 1729, suggests that the impoverished Irish should sell their children as food to the rich, as a way to address the problem of poverty.'A Modest Proposal' is a satirical essay written by Jonathan Swift in 1729. It proposes a shocking solution to the poverty and hunger problem in Ireland by suggesting that impoverished Irish families should sell their infants as food to the wealthy. The essay uses irony, humor, and exaggeration to highlight the indifference and exploitation of the British ruling class towards the Irish people. Swift's intention was to criticize the socio-economic policies and callousness of the British government during that time.- Publication Date: 1729
- Genre: Satire, Essay
- Writing style: Irony, humor, exaggeration
- Theme: Poverty, hunger, socio-economic inequality
- Audience: General public, political and social commentators
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69votes
"The Shock Doctrine" by Naomi Klein
Naomi KleinThis op-ed, published in The Nation, argues that economic crises and disasters are often used as opportunities for governments and corporations to implement unpopular policies and reforms.The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism is a book written by Naomi Klein, published in 2007. The book explores the theory of 'shock doctrine,' which suggests that governments and corporations exploit moments of crisis to push through unpopular free-market policies. Klein argues that these policies often deepen inequality, erode democracy, and increase corporate power. She examines case studies from various countries and historical events to illustrate this phenomenon.- Publication Year: 2007
- Genre: Non-fiction
- Topic: Political economy
- Main Thesis: Exploitation of crises by governments and corporations
- Case Studies: Various countries and historical events
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711votesThis documentary film, originally broadcast on the BBC in 2004, explores the political and social forces behind the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and the War on Terror in the United States.
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87votes
"The Uninhabitable Earth" by David Wallace-Wells
David Wallace-WellsThis op-ed, published in New York Magazine, presents a bleak and alarming vision of the future of the planet if climate change continues unchecked.The Uninhabitable Earth is a widely acclaimed opinion- editorial (Op-Ed) written by David Wallace-Wells. It was published in July 2017 in New York Magazine and explores the potential catastrophic impacts of climate change on our planet. Wallace-Wells presents a grim and alarming outlook, offering readers a thought-provoking view of what the future could hold if we continue to ignore the consequences of our actions. The article quickly gained significant attention and became one of the most widely discussed pieces on climate change in recent years.- Publication Date: July 2017
- Publication Source: New York Magazine
- Topic: Climate Change
- Style: Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed)
- Emphasis: Catastrophic impacts and potential scenarios
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911votesThis controversial op-ed, published in Grist in 2004, argues that traditional environmentalism is ineffective and needs to be replaced with a new, more pragmatic approach.The Death of Environmentalism is an influential Op-Ed written by Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus. The article, published in 2004, argues that the traditional environmental movement is ill-equipped to address the complexities of contemporary environmental challenges.
- Publication Year: 2004
- Topic: Environmentalism
- Influential: Yes
- Critiques traditional environmental movement: Yes
- Controversial: Yes
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104votesThis op-ed, published in The New York Times, argues that Google has become too dominant and powerful, and calls for antitrust action to break up the company.The Case Against Google, written by Tim Wu, is an Op-Ed that critically examines the dominant market position of Google and its potential negative effects on competition and innovation in the digital landscape.
- Title: The Case Against Google
- Author: Tim Wu
- Type: Op-Ed
- Publication Date: March 20, 2018
- Publication: The New York Times
Missing your favorite Op-Eds?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for popular Op-Eds
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RelevanceThe Op-Ed should address a current issue or topic that is significant to a broad audience. It should offer insights and opinions on the matter.
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TimelinessThe Op-Ed should be published in a timely manner, ideally when public interest in the subject matter is at its peak. This helps ensure the piece remains topical and engaging to readers.
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Quality of writingA well-written piece with clear, concise language, logical organization, and well-supported arguments will attract more readers and foster deeper engagement.
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Expertise and credibilityThe author's background and expertise in the subject matter should be evident. An Op-Ed written by someone with a track record of expertise or experience in their field lends credibility to the piece and makes it more interesting for readers.
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Diverse perspectivesAn Op-Ed that presents unique or underrepresented viewpoints will foster greater diversity in public discourse and attract a broader readership.
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Balanced argumentationThe Op-Ed should present well-reasoned arguments that address different sides of the issue. While it's natural for the author to have a stance, they should strive to present a balanced perspective.
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Reader engagementPopular Op-Eds often generate a high level of reader engagement, measured through comments, shares, and likes on social media platforms.
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Impact on discourseA truly impactful Op-Ed will stimulate further discussion and perhaps even influence public opinion or policy changes on the topic it addresses.
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Recommendations and solutionsAn Op-Ed that offers constructive recommendations or potential solutions to the issue at hand is more likely to resonate with readers, as it demonstrates that the author has thought deeply about the issue.
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Clarity and accessibilityThe Op-Ed should be easily understandable by a wide audience, even those without in-depth knowledge of the subject matter. This helps ensure the piece reaches a larger readership.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Op-Eds. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Op-Ed is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 3072 views
- 233 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Op-Ed once every 24 hours. The rank of each Op-Ed is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
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More information on most popular op-eds
Op-Eds, short for "opposite the editorial page," are opinion pieces written by individuals not affiliated with the newspaper or publication in which it is featured. These articles provide a platform for authors to express their views and perspectives on a wide range of topics, from politics and social issues to entertainment and sports.
Op-Eds have become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks in large part to the ease with which they can be shared across social media platforms. As a result, readers can access a diverse range of opinions and viewpoints that they may not have otherwise encountered.
At StrawPoll, we have a vast collection of polls and rankings that reflect the opinions of our users on various topics, including their favorite Op-Eds. Through our platform, we aim to provide a space for people to share their thoughts and engage in meaningful discussions about the issues that matter most to them.
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