Political Science Commons^™

Does Bitcoin Use Affect Crime Rates?, Kevin Keane

The Corinthian

Bitcoin is the most widely used cryptocurrency in the world because of its decentralized network that completes user-to-user transactions, eliminating the need for intermediaries. During 2017, the volume of Bitcoin transactions totaled $94.3 trillion. Bitcoin transactions are recorded in a public database called the blockchain. Although the blockchain can keep track of how many transactions there are, it can’t identify the people involved in transactions. The lack of identity increases the anonymity of Bitcoin transactions, making it less detectable when used for crime. Using the Uniform Crime Reporting’s state-level crime rate data and blockchain’s Bitcoin transaction information, I estimate the …

The Relationship Between Rock Climbing And Total Body Strength And Endurance, Madison Gamma, Alexa Bruce, Madison Massey, Ashlee Cordero

The Corinthian

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to assess the relationship between muscular strength and endurance and time to complete a rock wall climb.

Methods: The researchers of this study tested 22 participants ranging from 19-25 years of age. An informed consent and a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ+) form were completed by each individual before being cleared to participate in this study. Data collection was completed on two separate days. On the first day, participants completed four fitness tests which consisted of a hand grip strength assessment, a 10-repetition maximum (RM) leg press, a flexed arm hang test, and …

Revealing The Face Of Islamophobia: A Critical Evaluation Of Western Feminism, Kelley Quinn

The Corinthian

This paper will dive into the various pharisaical views and practices by governments and cultures through an intersectional feminist lens. Throughout the world, cultures shape the definition of appropriate and expected dress, particularly for women. In previous years, the covering of woman’s hair and/or face was a systemic oppression forced on by a patriarchal government. These women have made efforts to reclaim this clothing by enforcing a choice to wear or to not wear the garment. Western Feminism, however, still views these women as oppressed and forces them to remove their covering, such as making it illegal to wear or …

Margaret Chase Smith’S 1950 Declaration Of Conscience Senate Speech: A Stance Against The Exploitation Of Fear, Victoria E. Mcbrayer

The Corinthian

The article focuses on Senator Margaret Chase Smith’s speech she gave on the Senate floor on June 1, 1950. Her speech took place during the Cold War when tensions were high between the democratic United States and the communist Soviet Union. President Truman’s policy of containment and the anticommunist crusade taking place in the United States created an atmosphere of fear among Americans that politicians used to advance their careers. “Declaration of Conscience” was Senator Smith’s stance against the exploitation of fear for political gain and the first time someone spoke out against the corrupt Joseph McCarthy, whose slanderous witch …

Crossing The Aisle: A Neurological Analysis Of Political Polarities, Betsy Bartholf

The Corinthian

This is a synopsis of recent studies concerning the neurobiological developments of the adolescent brain, the functions of the amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex, and the derived implications that the brain has in shaping political ideologies found post-pubescent. During this impressionable period of one’s life, it is crucial that skills such as empathy and compassion are stressed to help mold adolescents into capable adults with the ability to communicate and resolve conflict among each other. As a consequence of understanding these aforementioned brain regions and their responsibility for our problem-solving and personality traits, the political community may be able to …

Machiavelli: Prince Or Republic - An Examination Of The Theorist’S Two Most Famous Works, Sean Mcaleer

The Corinthian

In the modern era, Machiavelli’s reputation is controversial, with some readers appreciating his pragmatism and realistic, “modern” view of people, while others are uncomfortable with some of his harsher, more infamous phrases. Most of these opinions, however, are based on Machiavelli’s most read work The Prince, which is known for its deviation from similar works at the time. Far less well-known, Machiavelli’s Discourses on Livy focuses on republican government and contains the theorist’s analysis of the famous Roman historian Livy’s history of the Roman Republic.

Se Habla Español: The Health Disparity Among The Latino Population, Karen Paz

The Corinthian

Latinos are considered the fastest growing and the largest ethnic minority group in the United States. It is estimated that by 2050, 24% of the U.S. population will be Latino. According to Census data, approximately 18% of the U.S. population age five or older speaks a language other than English at home, and current projections continue to show increases in U.S. immigrant and second-language groups nationwide. About half of that population self-reported that they speak English less than “very well.” Members of this population are referred to as individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). As the largest ethnic minority, 28 …

The International Criminal Court, The United States, And What Next., Alexandria Russell

The Corinthian

The International Criminal Court was set up in order to dissuade state officials from participating in behaviors that are considered war crimes and crimes against humanity. The U.S. is a major super power but not a pivotal character in the ICC institution. This fact has had negative effects on U.S. international policy. This paper explores first what the ICC is and how it came to be, and then addresses the weaknesses of the institution, U.S. relations with the ICC and how they effect U.S. international relations, and finally what policy changes need to be made in order to make the …

Jury Justice From The Classic Greeks, Andrew M. Whittaker

The Corinthian

Trial by jury is a constitutionally guaranteed right, and the concept of being judged by one’s peers is a foundational principle in Western society. It is assumed that criminal cases are best and most equitably decided by juries and general consensus is that a judicial case decided by a jury is inherently more acceptable than any alternative. With that said, the foundations for the modern Western judicial practice, like most other essential practices, rests in the Golden Age of Athens and Greece. While the chain of descent is long and varied, in Greece, one can find the first trace of …

A Study Of The Decision Of The Czech Republic To Join The European Union, Harold Conard Mock Iii

The Corinthian

Since its establishment as the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951, the European Union has provided more than half a century of peace and prosperity to the continent. The people of the European Union have been guaranteed justice through strict adherence to democratic ideals and respect for human rights; economic stability through transition to a common currency, job creation, development of infrastructure, and fiscal globalization; environmental protection through rigorous membership credentials and legislative policy; and security through the formulation of a single, strong, powerful voice in world affairs. The initial members were Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and the …

A Painless Tax Or Robin Hood Reversed? The Ethical Dilemmas Of State-Sponsored Lotteries, William Hatcher

The Corinthian

Over the last forty years, states and localities have been faced with the dilemma of how to raise sufficient revenue without upsetting great portions of the electorate with a tax increase. One manner by which they have dealt with this predicament is to institute state lotteries. New Hampshire started the trend in 1964 when it instituted a lottery system to supplement its dire revenue situation. New York and New Jersey soon followed suit by establishing their own lottery system. Today, thirty-nine states operate some type of lottery system. It definitely can be asserted that lotteries are the most widely accepted …

The Use Of Slogans In Political Rhetoric, Cail Newsome

The Corinthian

This paper focuses on the use of slogans within political rhetoric. The research focuses on the phrasing of the slogan, the connotation and association of the words used within them, and the motivational quality of slogans. Simply stated, this paper is a look into how and why political slogans are successful. The research is directed away from political slogans that are specifically created and used for campaign purposes and instead looks at the political slogans that are less vote-getting in orientation and have been used to shape public opinion or motivate a public action.

Emma Goldman And Birth Control: Honest Goals Or Ulterior Motives?, Nathan Moon

The Corinthian

Emma Goldman proved herself to be a powerful force on American society during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. For many years, the activist had the uncanny ability to seize the mass consciousness of America and never let go. Though she was often criticized, even reviled during her career as an anarchist, her reputation became rehabilitated over the years. Today, few people recall the "Red Emma" of long ago, a persona that many Americans scoffed at. Instead, she has become an icon and folk hero for many people, perhaps because the American public has finally seen and understood her …

Ethical Concerns Faced By Various Stakeholders Of The Natural Gas Industry In The Deregulation Environment, Michael A. Payne

The Corinthian

Deregulating the natural gas industry in Georgia and elsewhere has resulted in a "mixed bag" of beneficial and non-beneficial outcomes for industry stakeholders. The approach to deregulation has been varied and multifaceted; however, achieving the best overall outcome for the greatest number of stakeholders should not be the sole major objective. The American philosopher and psychologist William James argued best against the concept that the means in accomplishing an objective are more important than the end: "millions kept permanently happy" even though one single soul is left to "lead a life of lonely torture" is neither justified nor desirable (qtd. …

Regional Trends In Religion And Politics, Robert Goon

The Corinthian

As mass communications close the distances over which people routinely interact, there is a question about the increase in social homogenization at the expense of regional identity. In a society covering as much geographic area and encompassing as many cultures as the United States, the question is certainly valid. Traditionally, this diversity has been recognized as a "melting pot," an analogy attempting to institutionalize a sort of homogeneous diversity; the "melting pot" analogy is now giving way to notions of multiculturalism. However, one may wonder if this social diversity can avoid being buried beneath the homogenizing mass media culture. Whether …

Abstracts Of Student-Faculty Publications

The Corinthian

Abstracts of Student-Faculty Publications

Female Genital Mutiiation, Allison Blount

The Corinthian

Female circumcision, also called female genital mutilation (FGM), is a collective name given to several traditional operations performed on girls and women in 28 African countries primarily but also in Asia among some minorities. According to the Rainbo organization, FQiM is an ancient custom estimated to affect 130 million girls and women; there are about 2 million new cases each year. Recently, the practice has also begun to surface within immigrant communities in Europe, Australia, Canada, and the United States ("Female Genital Mutilation: A Fact"). As you read this essay, there are between eight and ten million women and girls …