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From The Barrel To The Border: Exploring The Roots And Ramifications Of Gun Trafficking From The United States To Mexico, Alexandra Punishill Jan 2024

From The Barrel To The Border: Exploring The Roots And Ramifications Of Gun Trafficking From The United States To Mexico, Alexandra Punishill

CMC Senior Theses

Nowhere is the discussion surrounding gun violence more prominent than in the United States, with the impacts of our gun-friendly culture being felt around the world. This thesis analyzes the dynamics of gun trafficking from the United States to Mexico and sheds light on its role in fueling the epidemic of gun violence south of the border. It is argued that the particular system of federalism adopted by the United States has led to a variety of state-level gun regulations that have shaped domestic gun policy and have had an international impact. Despite Mexico’s persistent efforts to combat the gun …


Emerging From Behind The Curtain: A Comparative Analysis Of Polish And Czech Reforms Based On Quality Of Life Improvements, Summer Ellis Jan 2024

Emerging From Behind The Curtain: A Comparative Analysis Of Polish And Czech Reforms Based On Quality Of Life Improvements, Summer Ellis

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis examines the economic reforms undertaken by Poland and the Czech Republic during the 1990s transition period. It seeks to ultimately differentiate reform quality between the Czech Republic and Poland in terms of well-being. The basis of reform success is determined using a quality of life scale that spans economic, health, and environmental indicators. Reform quality is then assessed based on improvements in well-being, instead of high-level economic metrics that often evaluate in a manner that fails to capture individual citizen sentiment. From this point, it is possible to determine which transitioning country underwent the most optimal reform process …


Does The Constitution Follow The Flag? The Paradox Of Puerto Rican Identity And Citizenship, Laura Somoza Velez Jan 2024

Does The Constitution Follow The Flag? The Paradox Of Puerto Rican Identity And Citizenship, Laura Somoza Velez

CMC Senior Theses

How do identity and citizenship interact? Puerto Rico’s current political status is that of an unincorporated, organized territory of the United States, under the shiny title of ‘Commonwealth.’ Although they have US Citizenship, Puerto Rican residents aren’t protected by the US Constitution. This source of dual identification, American and Puerto Rican, creates a unique circumstance where questions of identity, and belonging naturally arise. In this thesis, I aim to answer how the citizenship condition created in Puerto Rico and how it is experienced measure up to current debates and scholarship surrounding citizenship. Achieved through a historical analysis of the formation …


Savage Tales: The Colonialist Narratives Underpinning Indigenous Genocide, Riley Green Jan 2024

Savage Tales: The Colonialist Narratives Underpinning Indigenous Genocide, Riley Green

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis explores the settler-colonialist supremacist narratives - religious, racial, and civilizational - wielded in the territories that would become Australia, Canada, and the United States to justify displacing and killing Indigenous Peoples. The narratives and their effects persist: contemporary disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples reveal the narratives' institutionalization, as do modern incarnations of the same legitimizing tropes in Australian, Canadian, and US domestic and foreign policies.


The Cyber Policies Behind Critical Infrastructure: A Look At The Preparedness Of The Top Nuclear Energy-Producing Nations, Jocelyn Livier Jan 2024

The Cyber Policies Behind Critical Infrastructure: A Look At The Preparedness Of The Top Nuclear Energy-Producing Nations, Jocelyn Livier

CMC Senior Theses

The energy sector is the most targeted industry, with 39% of all cyber-attacks; that's more than three times the frequency of attacks on other industries. [1] Cyberattacks on energy infrastructure have become a stark reality. This paper looks closely at the cyber security policy of the U.S., China, and France (top producing nations) and determines if 1). A response to cyberattacks is in place; 2). A response to cyberattacks on critical infrastructure is in place; 3). A direct action plan for cyberattacks on nuclear power plants is in place, and 4). Whether or not cyber simulations and training exercises are …


Health Politics, Covid-19, And The Vaccine: A Comparison Of How Germany And The U.S. Cultivated Public Trust During The Covid-19 Pandemic., Kai Gundlach Jan 2024

Health Politics, Covid-19, And The Vaccine: A Comparison Of How Germany And The U.S. Cultivated Public Trust During The Covid-19 Pandemic., Kai Gundlach

CMC Senior Theses

Public trust is important during an ongoing crisis as it determines people’s compliance with government mandates and laws. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Germany and the U.S. operated with different levels of public trust and people placed their trust in different public institutions. My thesis examines how political tactics such as fear, use of science, and expert pronouncements impacted public trust and the COVID-19 response in both countries.


It’S Not About Success. It’S About The Message. Elite Messaging And Xenophobic Hate Crimes In The Eu, Annemarie Ackerman Oct 2023

It’S Not About Success. It’S About The Message. Elite Messaging And Xenophobic Hate Crimes In The Eu, Annemarie Ackerman

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

Through the past decade, far-right political parties have skyrocketed in popularity and electoral success across the globe, with an especially pronounced effect seen in Europe. One critical component of far-right political movements is nationalist sentiment, often expressed via racist or xenophobic policies and rhetoric. This paper seeks to investigate how electoral success of far-right political parties and elite messaging via policy stances of these parties impacts rates of xenophobic violence in a country. Using data from the Chapel Hill Expert Survey (CHES) and hate crime statistics from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), it is shown that …


Getting Youth On The Streets: Accounting For Levels Of Youth Mobilization Among International Climate Organizations, Sara E. Anderson Oct 2023

Getting Youth On The Streets: Accounting For Levels Of Youth Mobilization Among International Climate Organizations, Sara E. Anderson

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

Youth, many of whom are not given the voice or the opportunity to collaborate with political institutions, often turn towards climate movements to make an impact on the climate. Through a series of interviews in the United Kingdom and supporting secondary research, this paper offers a formal overview of factors that contribute to youth mobilization. These factors include type of protest, community, and leadership, in addition to narrative building and media engagement with the movement. By assessing the mechanisms behind youth mobilization, movements can establish how to better attract youth.


Putting Bilateral Aid Where Their Mouths Are: Evaluating Democratic Coalition Commitment In The Russo-Ukrainian War, Alexander A. Aghdaei Oct 2023

Putting Bilateral Aid Where Their Mouths Are: Evaluating Democratic Coalition Commitment In The Russo-Ukrainian War, Alexander A. Aghdaei

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

The European Union (EU)’s response to the 2022 outbreak of open armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine is a notable example of democratic coalition involvement— where several democracies elect to involve themselves (either directly or indirectly) in conflict as part of a multinational force. However, in terms of aid as a percentage of GDP, there are significant variations in bilateral commitments. This article accounts for the difference in coalition commitment between EU states by evaluating a set of conditions across different phases of the conflict. Pulling from notable literature using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) to explain variances in coalition behavior, …


The Path To Eu Candidacy: Moldova-Eu Relations After The Fall Of The Soviet Union, Diana V. Braghiș Oct 2023

The Path To Eu Candidacy: Moldova-Eu Relations After The Fall Of The Soviet Union, Diana V. Braghiș

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

Following the fall of the Soviet Union, the newly independent Republic of Moldova has been undergoing a process of democratization and Europeanization. This paper investigates the close relationship between Moldova and the European Union after 1991 to demonstrate the steps the country had undertaken to become a candidate member in June 2022. We explore the history of creation of Moldova, particularly the shift from communism to liberal democracy. We then transition to trade as a facilitator of close diplomatic relations. Finally, we look into the obstacles to EU accession the country has yet to overcome: its conflict with the Transnistrian …


Viktor Orbán: The Eu’S Biggest Bully, Zoë Brockenbrough Oct 2023

Viktor Orbán: The Eu’S Biggest Bully, Zoë Brockenbrough

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

The purpose of this paper is to show how Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary, as a leader of EU member state, has damaged the EU’s normative power and exposed preexisting flaws within the EU system of governance. In my paper, I delve into how Orbán has impacted EU foreign policy in recent years, becoming the EU’s “problem child” regarding several current issues. Additionally, I argue that he has helped embolden other EU countries in their illiberalism. I provide analysis for each of these cases to support my main argument that Orbán damages the EU’s normative power. In the final …


The Family And The Nation: The Centrality Of Gender Politics In The Rise Of European Illiberalism, Julia E. Hall Oct 2023

The Family And The Nation: The Centrality Of Gender Politics In The Rise Of European Illiberalism, Julia E. Hall

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

This paper analyzes how illiberal far-right parties employ discourses of traditional family values to advocate a range of anti-feminist, anti-queer, and anti-sexual education stances that have become critical in European national politics. Illiberal politicians use the concept of "traditional family" to reassert heteronormative ideas of gender and sexuality that advance their majoritarian, nationalist, and anti-pluralist platforms while infringing on the rights and freedoms of gender and sexual minorities. I explore three realms where this family-centered rhetoric presents itself in policy and political movements—gender roles and reproduction, LGBTQ+ rights, and sexual education—and analyze relevant actors, movements, and policies demonstrating the central …


Dutch Euroscepticism: The Manifestation Of Pre-Financial Crisis Fears In Post- Financial Crisis Politics And Voting Patterns, Shiloh A. Harrill Oct 2023

Dutch Euroscepticism: The Manifestation Of Pre-Financial Crisis Fears In Post- Financial Crisis Politics And Voting Patterns, Shiloh A. Harrill

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

This paper seeks to explain the recent rise in Dutch Euroscepticism, especially in the wake of the Great Recession and the Euro Crisis. The rise of Eurosceptic sentiment reflects more than just a “left-” versus “right-wing” political divide in Dutch politics; rather, it signals an increasingly prevalent divide between pro-EU and anti-EU voters and policies. Though Eurosceptic sentiment already existed in Dutch politics at the beginning of the 21st century, this paper argues that the financial crises of the 2000s played a major role in the significant rise of Eurosceptic sentiment and rhetoric in Dutch politics. The Great Recession and …


Press Freedom Under Threat In Europe: Slapps And Democracy, Maya Oleary-Cyr Oct 2023

Press Freedom Under Threat In Europe: Slapps And Democracy, Maya Oleary-Cyr

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

This paper critically examines the legal systems of European countries and their relationship to press freedom, particularly the vexatious legal threats used by government officials and corporations to silence journalists. These legal threats are known as SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation) and their use has increased exponentially in the last decade. Although the issue is global, this research analyzes the issue through the lens of Greece, Italy, and Hungary. As member states, each one of these countries has an obligation to uphold the democratic standards put forth by the EU. Journalists are a vital aspect of the democratic process …


Die Deutsche Elf: The German National Football Team And Multicultural Integration In The Twenty-First Century, Harriet R. Sanders Oct 2023

Die Deutsche Elf: The German National Football Team And Multicultural Integration In The Twenty-First Century, Harriet R. Sanders

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

Since the end of World War II, football in its institutionally organized forms has provided German citizens with a means of reconstructing national identity in a way that is considered politically “safe” in light of the country’s fascist past. As the sport and the culture surrounding it are normally viewed as an apolitical realm, the feedback effects from football on society have been under-researched and widely under-acknowledged, particularly in relation to discrimination in football and the repercussions it may have on society at large. This paper uses primary survey and sociological data, empirical data, a selection of secondary literature which …


The Future Of Françafrique: Neocolonialism In Africa And The War On Terror, Jovan Avila, Brennan G. Quinn Oct 2023

The Future Of Françafrique: Neocolonialism In Africa And The War On Terror, Jovan Avila, Brennan G. Quinn

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

Françafrique refers to the complex system of political, economic, and military relationships between France and its former colonies in Africa, characterized by neocolonialism, paternalism, and corruption. This paper aims to analyze the history and future of French geopolitical activity in Africa, including its motivations, strategies, and impacts. We first establish the background of France’s complex relationship with Africa, beginning with French colonialism in the region and decolonization. Next, we look at the period of close ties France maintained with most of its former colonies in Africa throughout the late 1900s. Additionally, we discuss the effects on French and American geopolitical …


Responsible Data Science For Genocide Prevention, Victor Piercey Aug 2023

Responsible Data Science For Genocide Prevention, Victor Piercey

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

The term "genocide" emerged out of an effort to describe mass atrocities committed in the first half of the 20th century. Despite a convention of the United Nations outlawing genocide as a matter of international law, the problem persists. Some organizations (including the United Nations) are developing indicator frameworks and “early-warning” systems that leverage data science to produce risk assessments of countries where conflict is present. These tools raise questions about responsible data use, specifically regarding the data sources and social biases built into algorithms through their training data. This essay seeks to engage mathematicians in discussing these concerns.


Ghana Dier: An Analysis Of How Availability And Access Impact Food Security In Ghana, Aishat Doyinsola Jimoh Jan 2023

Ghana Dier: An Analysis Of How Availability And Access Impact Food Security In Ghana, Aishat Doyinsola Jimoh

CMC Senior Theses

This paper examines the different causes of food insecurity, the solutions for them, and how Ghana sits on the scale of global food insecurity. Ghana is located in Africa, where food insecurity is the highest in the world, so it would be reasonable to expect food insecurity to be high in Ghana, too. In comparison to its neighboring countries, Ghana has the best food security, standing at number three in sub-Saharan Africa. This paper uses data to examine how Ghana has been this successful. Foundational frameworks in Ghanaian history developed the southern urban parts of Ghana, improving food security in …


Cruzando La Frontera: Examining Policies To Better Serve Work-Commuters On The U.S.- Mexico Border, Valentina Gonzalez Jan 2023

Cruzando La Frontera: Examining Policies To Better Serve Work-Commuters On The U.S.- Mexico Border, Valentina Gonzalez

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis explores the challenges of work-commuters living in Mexico yet working in American border cities. As the majority of work-commuters have limited educational backgrounds and limited English proficiency, workers are often restricted to low paying, onerous jobs in construction, landscaping, agriculture, and domestic work. However, there is a small percentage of workers in managerial and professional positions. Workers in these industries are at higher risk of experiencing occupational hazards and labor abuses, particularly because of the nature of these positions. Through the use of personal testimony and supporting data, this thesis will demonstrate the need for reform in immigration …


United States Policy To Undermine Iran’S Regional And Global Strategy, William Stewart Jan 2023

United States Policy To Undermine Iran’S Regional And Global Strategy, William Stewart

CMC Senior Theses

This paper aims to understand the way in which Iran uses proxy groups to implement its regional foreign policy strategy while increasing relationships with foreign actors to implement its global foreign policy strategy. I will dive into the intricacies of Iran’s strategy on a country-by-country basis while outlining the goals of the regime. I will analyze the way in which the United States has dealt with Iran and its proxy groups in the past as well as provide suggestions on the steps the Biden administration and the United States as a whole must implement in order to contain Iran’s influence …


Understanding Financial Inclusion: A Comparative Analysis Of Financial Mechanisms In Uganda, Amari Huang Jan 2023

Understanding Financial Inclusion: A Comparative Analysis Of Financial Mechanisms In Uganda, Amari Huang

CMC Senior Theses

Financial inclusion is a critical means of empowering individuals to improve their own lives, and Uganda provides an excellent case study for examining various financial mechanisms in a developing country context. This thesis investigates four such mechanisms: formal banks, microfinance institutions, mobile money, and contribution clubs. The analysis is conducted using five criteria to evaluate their level of inclusion: (1) quantitative coverage, (2) standard of living, (3) gender, (4) education, and (5) social capital. The findings of this research suggest that the examined financial institutions can be seen as steppingstones, with each leading to the next, from contribution clubs to …


Judging From Above: French Feminists & Their Influence On The Veil Debate, Emma Caroline Delapré Oct 2022

Judging From Above: French Feminists & Their Influence On The Veil Debate, Emma Caroline Delapré

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

Over the past two decades, the international community has found itself questioning France’s application of laïcité and the egalitarianism it supposedly ensures, particularly regarding veils associated with the Islamic faith. Integral to the face veil debate is the advocacy of French feminists, especially those who identify as pro-ban. Overarchingly, pro-ban feminists argue that the practice of wearing face veils or coverings undermines a French citizen’s obligation to foster cohesion in the public sphere through the acceptance of republican norms. This viewpoint informs the analysis of the state of social division in France undertaken here. The tools of analysis include a …


2015 Syrian Refugee Responses Based On The Strength Of Securitization Discourse, Jacob M. Decarli Oct 2022

2015 Syrian Refugee Responses Based On The Strength Of Securitization Discourse, Jacob M. Decarli

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

This paper seeks to answer the question: Why were policy responses to the 2015 Syrian refugee "crisis" so different in Germany and the UK? I argue that these policies were driven by public opinion about migrants and immigration. Germany adopted a more liberal migration policy because of higher approval for refugees entering the country. I argue that this is the result of the degree to which securitization discourse explains different public attitudes towards Syrian refugees in 2015. Specifically, I argue that the greater the strength of securitization discourse, the easier it is to implement restrictive immigration policy. This paper demonstrates …


Lessons From European Energy Transition: Reality Or Green Dream?, Sky Berry-Weiss Oct 2022

Lessons From European Energy Transition: Reality Or Green Dream?, Sky Berry-Weiss

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

As a looming climate crisis continues to overwhelm the global community and Europe grips with fluctuating fossil fuel prices due to geopolitical tensions, the European Union appears to be rushing to forge a path to renewable energy to forgo dependence on nonrenewable energy sources. Decades ahead of the global community, the European Union has succeeded in its 2020 goals by increasing the share of renewable energy to 20% of overall consumption. Heading towards their strikingly ambitious goals for 2030, this great transition provides a case study that other states should be watching closely. This article analyzes the effects of several …


Jewish People In The German Far-Right: How Afd Is Pandering To Jews To Gain Legitimacy, Luca L. Zislin Oct 2022

Jewish People In The German Far-Right: How Afd Is Pandering To Jews To Gain Legitimacy, Luca L. Zislin

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

Despite the consistent rise of anti-Semitic attacks, Jewish people from across Germany are joining the far-right Alternative für Deutschland political party in increasing numbers. In 2018 a group of nineteen Jewish AfD members formed the JAfD, the Jewish division of the party, reflecting just how much Jewish support for the AfD is growing even as national and global Jewish organizations have branded the AfD as anti-Semitic. This growth comes as a shock considering incidents like AfD politician Wolfgang Gedeon’s denial of the Holocaust and accusations that numerous AfD politicians encourage extremist behavior. This paper examines the AfD’s official policy statements …


Integrated Or Excluded: The Effects Of French Integration Policies On Immigrant Communities From 2000 To 2020, Johanna N. Soleil Oct 2022

Integrated Or Excluded: The Effects Of French Integration Policies On Immigrant Communities From 2000 To 2020, Johanna N. Soleil

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

Few issues are as important to European politics as integration, though research into the actual effect of integration policies on immigrant communities is sparse in Europe and especially in France. This paper examines through the data available to researchers how immigrant communities compare to native populations in terms of cultural, health, and economic characteristics. To this end the paper is organized as follows: the first section introduces the French political context and the cultural attitude towards immigrants. Next, the various methods of analysis are presented, and each of the previously mentioned attributes is analyzed in the French context as well …


Efficacy Of The European Union And The United States' Sanctioning Of Russia In Response To Breaches Of Ukrainian Sovereignty, Alexej W. Latimer Oct 2022

Efficacy Of The European Union And The United States' Sanctioning Of Russia In Response To Breaches Of Ukrainian Sovereignty, Alexej W. Latimer

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

This research inquiry breaks down some of the intricacies of US and EU sanctions imposed on Russia following the breaches of Ukrainian sovereignty by the Kremlin in 2014. These sanctions are examined for their direct fiscal impacts and implicit efficacies as the result of specific policies. This paper seeks to identify nuanced characteristics of various sanctions and determine how sanction efficacy is tied to the classification under which the controlled product/good category is considred. This is just an initial record of observed patterns in sanctioning within a specific geopolitical realm. The paper was written in December 2021, and therefore prior …


The Holy See: An Institution Like No Other, Jace Bartz Oct 2022

The Holy See: An Institution Like No Other, Jace Bartz

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

This paper explores the Holy See’s role within the international order of states. Although viewed primarily as a religious institution, the Holy See’s position as a sovereign state and head of a religious body allows it to have a prominent voice on the world stage. I examine the IR theories of constructivism and realism in relation to the Holy See’s influence. This comparison illustrates how the Holy See can affect international action due to its emphasis on diplomacy and peace. I review the history and ability of the Holy See to implement a diplomatic approach to engage with states multilaterally …


Necessary Trade-Offs Or Two-Faced Hypocrisy: Normative Conflicts In Eu Policies, Florian Bochert Oct 2022

Necessary Trade-Offs Or Two-Faced Hypocrisy: Normative Conflicts In Eu Policies, Florian Bochert

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

The European Union (EU) often tries to present itself as a normative leader in both human rights protection and climate change prevention. However, since emission reductions sometimes require investments in solar panels that are produced using forced labor, these two norms can conflict with each other. Based on two case studies of EU policies on Israel-Palestine and North Africa, this article shows how conflicts between different norms are nothing new to the EU. In its policies on Israel-Palestine, the EU has had to balance its historical responsibility to Israel with its commitment to international law. In its policies on North …


Re-Imagining Design For Affordable Housing In Mexico, Kenza Fernandez Dominguez Jan 2022

Re-Imagining Design For Affordable Housing In Mexico, Kenza Fernandez Dominguez

Scripps Senior Theses

Since the presidency of Enrique Peña Nieto, affordable housing developments in Mexico have been produced in a massive, unsustainable scale. The speed at which these developments are produced equates to the carelessness that goes into their planning. At large, the developments’ monotonous design is aesthetically dehumanizing and fails to promote a sense of community. These developments lack basic infrastructure, and their residents have abandoned them, which has incentivized increased criminal activity.

In this paper, I will be looking at successful models of affordable housing globally, exploring the histories of communal living, and function of architectural collages. Based on my findings …