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Political Science Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Journal

2021

Illinois Wesleyan University

Articles 1 - 12 of 12

Full-Text Articles in Political Science

Cover Art, Samira K. Kassem Jan 2021

Cover Art, Samira K. Kassem

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.


Editorial Team Jan 2021

Editorial Team

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.


Table Of Contents Jan 2021

Table Of Contents

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.


Letter From The Department Chair, William Munro Jan 2021

Letter From The Department Chair, William Munro

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.


Editor's Introduction, Madison N. Garofalo, Dareana Roy Jan 2021

Editor's Introduction, Madison N. Garofalo, Dareana Roy

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.


Author Biographies Jan 2021

Author Biographies

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.


Holding The Public Trust: Forms Of Trust In Democratic Countries And Their Determinants, David Werner Jan 2021

Holding The Public Trust: Forms Of Trust In Democratic Countries And Their Determinants, David Werner

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

Across both established and newly established democracies, notions of trust in government appear to be falling. These realities prompt investigations into both the determinations of trust in government and its positive relationship to democracy. A host of literature supports institutional approach theory, posting that the overarching government system predominantly determines trust. Analyzing survey questions at the country-level across 16 countries from the World Values Survey (WVS) Waves 5 - 7, this research affirms differences in trust relating to regulative, impartial institutions, trust in political, governmental institutions, and general social trust between citizens. Further, this study finds that more democratic countries, …


The Downturn Of Representative Democracy: An Analysis Of How Strategic Voting Drives Political Polarization, Anna Eager Jan 2021

The Downturn Of Representative Democracy: An Analysis Of How Strategic Voting Drives Political Polarization, Anna Eager

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

Over the years, polarization in America has not only increased but also become more ideologically focused on in government. Furthermore, scholarship on polarization has ignored the payoffs that political actors seek while they pursue re-election. Elected representatives have numerous objectives to balance while in office. Not only do they need to manage the preferences of the people and the party, but re-election is at the centerfold of their decision-making process. To evaluate this decision-making process a difference is identified between actual vs. perceived polarization. By illustrating a gap between the constituents’ preferences and representatives’ voting choices via actual and perceived …


The Irrationalness Of Game Theory, Oscar Romero Jan 2021

The Irrationalness Of Game Theory, Oscar Romero

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

In February 1909, at a time where political scientists were confused as to their purpose to society, the Right Honorable James Bryce highlighted the three most important criteria for effective research of political science at the fifth annual meeting of the American Political Science Association. He declares that political scientists “1) must be critical, 2) must beware of superficial resemblances, and 3) must endeavor to disengage the personal or accidental from the general causes at work” (numbers added) (8). These specific criteria ensure that any political science research conducted leads society to increase its understanding of the laws that govern …


A Perfect Recipe: The Reemergence Of Democratization In The Federal Republic Of Germany, Rachel Williams Jan 2021

A Perfect Recipe: The Reemergence Of Democratization In The Federal Republic Of Germany, Rachel Williams

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

After German dictator Adolf Hitler presumably committed suicide in 1945, his authoritarian regime fell, the Allies won World War II, and democracy reemerged in the form of the Federal Republic of Germany (F.R.G.). The transition to democracy was made possible by the intervention of international actors (the western Allies), the discontinuity of the Nazi party and its elites, and the formation of new, democratic parties (the Christian Democratic Union, Christian Social Union, and Social Democratic Party). Each of these factors combined to result in a high-functioning democracy by 1960 in which democratic participation was encouraged. This case is unique in …


Twitter News And The Uninformed Citizen, Will Harris Jan 2021

Twitter News And The Uninformed Citizen, Will Harris

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

This essay examines how social media as a source of news has severely impacted the political knowledge of the citizens of the United States. Research shows that while the media traditionally has been a moderator that sought to improve knowledge among voters and inspire them to determine their own beliefs, the rise of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter have inspired a polarizing effect on those who use the platform. Thus, social media is driving both conservatives and liberals away from the middle without providing them the knowledge that they need to have informed opinions. This study sought …


The Muslim Brotherhood’S Influence And The Democratization Of The Middle East, Samira K. Kassem Jan 2021

The Muslim Brotherhood’S Influence And The Democratization Of The Middle East, Samira K. Kassem

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

The Muslim Brotherhood is the most well-known and influential Islamist group in the Middle East and has been since its founding in 1928. The group has been condemned by the West, specifically the United States, for being too radical, as well as by other radical Islamist groups, who accuse the Brother hood of embracing democracy and denying jihad. This study aims to determine how the Muslim Brotherhood gained their influence and whether their existence has had a positive or negative effect on democratization in the region. Specifically, it explores how colonialism in the region allowed the Muslim Brotherhood to gain …