American Politics Commons^™

Amidst The Varieties Of Populism: The Case Of The Recurrent Pattern Of Nativism And Authoritarian Populism In The Politics Of U.S. Immigration Policy, Michelle C. Arias Santabay

Honors Projects

This project started as a comparison of varieties of populism emergent in the past two decades, which grew into discerning how authoritarian populism is rooted in nativism as a recurrent concept throughout immigration policy in the U.S. This is demonstrated historically by reviewing the different types of nativist movements in different epochs of controversial immigration policy. The project’s methodology derives from the usage of political sociology conceptualizing populism as a discursive register or rhetorical style as argued by Ernesto Laclau (2005; 2011) or as a structure of feeling (as argued by Raymond Williams 1977). Therefore, populism is seen as a …

Congress, Interest Groups, And The Strategic Use Of Judicial Review, Gary S. Pascoa

Honors Projects

Prior research suggests that political actors use judicial review for politically strategic purposes in order to achieve policy goals. Depending upon institutional considerations, members of Congress and interest groups will either seek to allow or preclude judicial review of agency actions. This study seeks to test these claims using the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and focuses on the creation of the Independent Payment Advisory Board. The findings provide some support for the claims, but show less than expected concern over judicial review, particularly among interest groups. The study then provides four explanations for these findings.

"How Did They Do It? A Structural Analysis Of Portuguese American Political Incorporation In Rhode Island (1937-2012).", Dulce Soares Scott, Marie R. Fraley

Elected and Appointed Officials Project

No abstract provided.

From Rapists To Superpredators: What The Practice Of Capital Punishment Says About Race, Rights And The American Child, Robyn Linde

Faculty Publications

At the turn of the 20^th century, the United States was widely considered to be a world leader in matters of child protection and welfare, a reputation lost by the century’s end. This paper suggests that the United States’ loss of international esteem concerning child welfare was directly related to its practice of executing juvenile offenders. The paper analyzes why the United States continued to carry out the juvenile death penalty after the establishment of juvenile courts and other protections for child criminals. Two factors allowed the United States to continue the juvenile death penalty after most states in …

Assessment Governance, Richard R. Weiner, Karl P. Benziger

Faculty Publications

There has emerged a web of exogenous forces emanating from national and regional accreditation associations, particularly a satellite professional association involved in teacher preparation called the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS). The reality of this web contradicts the implicit idealist sentiment in John Ishiyama’s report on the “Assessment of Student Outcomes’ meetings at the 2004 TLC where he describes “assessment as a voluntarist/bootstrapping “bottom up” effort of individual faculty members. [PS.27: 3, July 2004, 483-85.] Faculty are increasingly bombarded by outside agencies for standards inventory matrices, evaluation rubrics, and course maps.

Dialogue On Diversity Spring Speaker: Anthony Romero (2002), Anthony Romero

Rhode Island College Audio Video collection

No abstract provided.

John H. Bracey, Jr.: The Cost Of Racism To White America (1999), John H. Bracey

Rhode Island College Audio Video collection

No abstract provided.

Watch The Process, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The reason for the 1990 census is now at hand: The Reapportionment Commission is in place, and the process has just begun. The redrawing of local state and congressional boundary lines that define districts by populations to be represented at these three levels of government is upon us, and bears close watching."

Speaking Out: Why Exempt Veterans?, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The city of Providence will likely incur a deficit of approximately $3 million this fiscal year. Yet, even with this deficit, tax rates will raise by $1.90, 300 municipal employees will be fired, and an additional 200 jobs will not be filled as workers retire."

Three Short Essays About Various Aspects Of Life In Natick (R.I.), Michael Deciantis

Ethnic Heritage Studies Project interviews

Three sketches by Michael DeCiantis in which he talks about various aspects of life in Natick, Rhode Island.

Scrapbook 25, 1962-1965, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings with dates ranging from January 1962 to January 1966. During this time Michael DeCiantis was serving as a judge for the Rhode Island State Family Court. Scrapbook 23 covers DeCiantis' work as a judge and the trials he presided over. He commonly dealt with divorce and custody trials, child abuse and neglect, and cases against minors. This scrapbook also covers the conditions at the Rhode Island State Training School and a glue-sniffing problem affecting young people. The clippings are featured in chronological order. Some pages have articles that obscure other items on the same page. …

Scrapbook 24, June 1961 To September 1961, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings from 1961. Clippings are arranged chronologically. Michael DeCiantis was sworn in as a judge for the newly created State Family Court. Scrapbook during this time. The scrapbook covers the formation of the new court and the court's endeavors following its creation. Also featured in this scrapbook is "The DeCiantis Story", a series of articles detailing the life and controversial political career of the newly appointed judge, Michael DeCiantis. Some pages have articles that obscure other items on the same page. In this case, the same page has been shot multiple times to show all content.

Scrapbook 20, May 2, 1960 To October 21, 1960, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings with dates ranging from May 2, 1960, to October 21, 1960. Clippings are arranged in chronological order. During this time Michael DeCiantis was serving as the West Warwick Town Solicitor. Scrapbook 20 focuseson West Warwick politics, specifically the 1960 West Warwick Democratic Primary, and a sewage issue in Crompton and the actions taken to remedy the situation. Some pages have articles that obscure other items on the same page. In this case, the same page has been shot multiple times to show all content.

Scrapbook 19, August 1959 To April 1960, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings with dates ranging from August 1959, to April 1960. Clippings are arranged in chronological order. During this time Michael DeCiantis was serving as the West Warwick Town Solicitor. This scrapbook covers West Warwick politics and civic engagement, the town's budget, including an increase to the school boards funds and a pay hike for teachers' salaries, unemployment compensation, the election of Chairman of the Democratic State Committee, and the accidental drowning of a woman and her son. Some pages have articles that obscure other items on the same page. In this case, the same page has …

Scrapbook 17, March 10, 1958 To November 3, 1958, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings with dates ranging from March 10, 1958, to November 3, 1958. During this time Michael DeCiantis was serving as the West Warwick Town Solicitor and President of the West Warwick Democratic Town Committee. Scrapbook 17 covers Senate and other state elections, West Warwick politics, and elections within the West Warwick Democratic Party. The emergence of the West Warwick Democrats for Good Government caused division within the Democratic Party. During the election for Democratic Town Committee Michael DeCiantis was defeated and announced he is resigning as town solicitor after holding the position for 10 years. Some …

Newspaper Clippings: November 3, 1958 To October 15, 1959, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings with dates ranging from November 3, 1958, to October 15, 1959. Clippings are arranged chronologically. Although he announced he would be resigning as West WarwickTown Solicitor after the state and local elections were held in November, Michael DeCiantis continues to serve as town solicitor for the duration of the events covered in this scrapbook. Scrapbook 18 covers state and local elections, public utility developments, including Kent County Water Authority (KCWA), sewer tax rates and exemptions, and school board funding and budgeting. The yearly budget for the town of West Warwick is also frequently mentioned as …

Scrapbook 13, January 11, 1956 To March 23, 1956, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings with dates ranging from January 11, 1956, to March 23, 1956. Clippings are arranged in chronological order. At this time Michael DeCiantis was serving as the West Warwick Town Solicitor. Scrapbook 13, focuses on projects and plans for the West Warwick town budget, including proposals for a new school building and a fire-police joint station. Also covered in this scrapbook is the re-opening of Allen Harbor to local fishermen and the effects the 16-year hiatus had on the harbor and its ecology. Some pages have articles that obscure other items on the same page. In …

Newspaper Clippings: September 25, 1956 To April 30, 1957, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings with dates ranging from September 25, 1956, to April 30, 1957. Clippings are arranged in chronological order. During this time Michael DeCiantis was serving as the West Warwick Town Solicitor. Scrapbook 15 continues to cover the Rhode Island elections for the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Senate positions. Clippings cover the West Warwick town budget, a proposed new school building (mentioned in Scrapbook 13), and the groundbreaking ceremony of that building. Some pages have articles that obscure other items on the same page. In this case, the same page has been shot multiple times to show …

Box 9, 1956-1978, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings and pages with dates ranging from 1956 to 1978. The clippings and pages featured in this record are the collection's loose papers that were not a part of a scrapbook. The clippings featured are not order chronologically. However, some pages that were a part of the same newspaper are ordered sequentially.

Scrapbook 14, March 23, 1956 To September 20, 1956, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings with dates ranging from March 23, 1956, to September 20, 1956. Clippings are arranged in chronological order.

During this time Michael DeCiantis was serving as the West Warwick Town Solicitor.

Scrapbook 14 focuses on an attempt by the Kent County Water Authority (KCWA) to remove itself from the control of the Public Utilities Department and the reforms made to the body following. It also include clippings about the Rhode Island election for the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Senate positions. DeCiantis, among other West Warwick political figures, announces he will be running for Governor, but later …

Scrapbook 15, September 25, 1956 To April 30, 1957, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings with dates ranging from September 25, 1956, to April 30, 1957. Clippings are arranged in chronological order. During this time Michael DeCiantis was serving as the West Warwick Town Solicitor. Scrapbook 15 continues to cover the Rhode Island elections for the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Senate positions. Clippings cover the West Warwick town budget, a proposed new school building (mentioned in Scrapbook 13), and the groundbreaking ceremony of that building. Some pages have articles that obscure other items on the same page. In this case, the same page has been shot multiple times to show …

Newspaper Clippings: January 21, 1955 To July 28, 1955, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings with dates ranging from January 21, 1955, to July 28, 1955. Clippings are arranged in chronological order. During this time Michael DeCiantis was serving as the West Warwick Town Solicitor. This scrapbook covers DeCiantis' ongoing efforts to lower the town water rate, check the water authority, and lower town sewer taxes., the West Warwick Citizens Committee and their efforts to improve public education and school conditions in the town., and DeCiantis' bid to have West Warwick chartered as a city and not a town. Some pages have articles that obscure other items on the same …

Scarpbook 12, July 11, 1955 To January 11, 1956, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings with dates ranging from July 11, 1955, to January 11, 1956. Clippings are arranged in chronological order. During this time Michael DeCiantis was serving as the West Warwick Town Solicitor.

Scrapbook 12 primarily covers issues between the school board and the town's PTA, and the resignation of Michael DeCiantis as town solicitor. Relating to the school board and PTA issue and given significant attention in this scrapbook is the attempt by PTA head, Clarence J. Coutu, to obtain the school board's records under the claim they are public records and should be readily accessible to …

Newspaper Clippings: June 1954 To January 1955, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings with dates ranging from June 9, 1954, to January 19, 1955. Clippings are arranged in chronological order. During this time Michael DeCiantis was serving as the West Warwick Town Solicitor. Scrapbook 10 focuses primarily on West Warwick politics as a senate election draws close. Although he was not a candidate in the running, Michael DeCiantis played a key role in the democratic nominee's campaign as the West Warwick Democratic Party Leader. Developments in the ongoing illegal shellfishing situation are covered as well. The water rate hike is featured also, though less extensively as politics and …

Scrapbook 9, April 28, 1953 To June 8, 1954, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings with dates ranging from April 28, 1953, to June 8, 1954. Clippings are arranged in chronological order. During this time Michael DeCiantis was serving as the West Warwick Town Solicitor. Scrapbook 9 covers DeCiantis' efforts to end the water rate hike, and other developments in West Warwick politics. Revisions to shellfishing laws and criminal cases related to shellfishing are also featured often.

Some pages have articles that obscure other items on the same page. In this case, the same page has been shot multiple times to show all content.

Newspaper Clippings: October 30, 1952 To April 30, 1953, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings with dates ranging from October 30, 1952, to April 30, 1953. The clippings are arranged in chronological order. Michael DeCiantis was the West Warwick Town Solicitor during the period covered by this sracpbook. The focus is West Warwick politics, including campaigs and elections of the town council. The scrapbook also follows further developments with the town's water rates, the implementation of gambling restrictions, and requests for increased funding to schools. Some pages have articles that obscure other items on the same page. In this case, the same page has been shot multiple times to show …

Scrapbook 7, June 4, 1952 To October 30, 1952, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings with dates ranging from June 4, 1952, to October 30, 1952. The clippings are arranged in chronological order.

Scrapbook 7 finishes covering the trial of two West Warwick men charged with stealing $100,000 during a holdup and conflict over increasing water rates in West Warwick. Michael DeCiantis had recently resigned as town solicitor and took on the position of legal adviser for the town council free of charge. Following the results of the water rate issue, DeCiantis is elected leader of the West Warwick Democratic Party and later re-elected as town solicitor.

Scrapbook 7 also …

Scrapbook 6, April 18, 1951 To June 3, 1952, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings with dates ranging from April 18, 1951, to June 3, 1952. During this time Michael DeCiantis was serving as the West Warwick Town Solicitor. Scrapbook 6 begins with a list of Rhode Island elected officials, their political affiliations, and mailing addresses. It contains several clippings about illegal quahauging, the trial of two West Warwick men accused of stealing over $100,000 in a Quonset Credit Union holdup, and a widely opposed increase in West Warwick water rates. As town solicitor, DeCiantis was adamant in his position against the increase of water rates and eventually resigned as …

Scrapbook 5, March 29, 1950 To April 11, 1951, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings with dates ranging from March 29, 1950, to April 11, 1951. The clippings are arranged in chronological order. During this time Michael DeCiantis was serving as the West Warwick Town Solicitor. Among other things, Scrapbook 5 contains clippings featuring DeCiantis' exploits as a town solicitor, town developments, politics, and a murder trial and investigation.

A few pages of the scrapbook have been dedicated to Ann DeCiantis, Michael DeCiantis' daughter, who was selected by television agencies for a role in a new series. Some pages have articles that obscure other items on the same page. In …

Scrapbook 4, July 1, 1941 To March 29, 1950, Michael Deciantis

Clipping files, 1919-1980

A collection of newspaper clippings with dates ranging from July 1, 1941, to March 29, 1950. The clippings are arranged in chronological order. During this time Michael DeCiantis resigned as a member of the State Unemployment Compensation Board to deeper pursue a growing interest in politics. Much of Scrapbook 4 contains clippings following DeCiantis' exploits in politics, starting with his support of Superior Judge Robert E. Quinn for a Democratic Senate Nomination and later his successes as West Warwick Town Solicitor and President of the Kent County Bar Association. Some pages have articles that obscure other items on the same …