Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Absolute Education On Young Voter Turnout, Reagan Roark

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

American civic education continually proves to need attention and reform. This research evaluates whether implementing specific teaching strategies at the high school level impacts a student's future political participation; specifically, to more clearly outline whether a high school level civics curriculum directly impacts a student's likelihood to cast a voting ballot in midterm and presidential elections within six years of graduation. This paper aims to understand better if teaching and/or education reform is effective in helping future generations and the democratic fate of our country. In this study, we measure the current state civic graduation requirements compared with the state's …

Mobilizing Discord On The United States’ Many Borders: Critical Social Science And Geopolitical Complexity, Margath Walker

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

Attention to the political landscape connecting the United States, Mexico, and Central America has returned with glaring intensity, highlighting the visibly geostrategic elements of bordering practice. Scholars have focused on how state power materializes at multiple scales while at the same time being attentive to the contestable and mutable nature of myriad agentic forces. This talk operates similarly by considering prospects for a frictional and at times ambiguous spatial politics. I extend the notion of discord as a productive lens through which to consider securitization, mobility, and migration. I use two short examples—the border-industrial complex and migrant caravans—to illustrate my …

Author Biographical Notes

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Penggunaan Retorika Dalam Pidato Pengunduran Diri Mikhail Gorbachev: Kajian Wacana Kritis Norman Fairclough, Muhammad Shanneva Raynadi

Multikultura

This study analyzes the use of rhetoric in Mikhail Gorbachev's resignation speech on December 25, 1991, using one of Norman Fairclough's Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) approach, namely rhetorical aspect. This speech marked the dissolution of the Soviet Union and reflected the socio-political changes during Gorbachev's leadership, particularly concerning glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) policies. Through an analysis of Aristotle's five rhetorical elements—inventio, dispositio, elocutio, memoria, and pronuntiatio—this study finds that Gorbachev employed rhetorical strategies to reframe his reform ideas, establish credibility, and influence public perception of the ongoing political transition. The findings indicate that the speech was …

“A Threat To The Family”: Phyllis Schlafly And The Construction Of Negative Group Identity, Christopher Howell

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, I argue that Phyllis Schlafly’s fight against the proposed Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) from 1972 to 1976 helped construct the “pro-family” political identity that opposed the ERA and came to define social conservatism in American politics. She did this through the creation and elaboration of a negative group identity: individuals defined by their desire for an imagined past of traditional, stable hierarchies. By taking an anodyne piece of legislation and framing its supporters as direct threats to the status quo, Schlafly effectively mobilized a group of previously apolitical actors towards political activism. In the process, she helped …

The Role Of The U.S. In South Korean Democratization: A Contemporary Analysis, Michael Garifales

Honors Program Theses and Projects

The United States has faced significant criticism on its role in South Korea’s democratization due to its involvement with both democratic movements and authoritarian regimes. What was the official role that the U.S. played in South Korean democratization, and what are the perceptions of this policy today? This paper explores the role of the U.S. in different periods of South Korea's democratization, including modernization and student/social movements as case studies. It analyzes a range of academic journals and books to assess the merit of different perspectives on U.S. involvement. Furthermore, the paper applies primary sources, such as newspapers and news …

The Success Of The Clinton, Bush, And Trump Administrations In Securitizing Mexican And Central American Immigration Through Border Policies, Madeline Lynch

The Compass

U.S. political discourse has framed immigration from Mexico and Central America as a security threat, driven by political, economic, and racial motivations. American presidential administrations are able to further racialize and criminalize immigrants coming from the Global South through rhetoric in legislation and executive orders that frame migration as a national security issue. Administrations focus on this narrative to indicate that the security threat is harmful to the interests of Americans. Although few migrants do present security threats to the US, the rhetoric used by various presidential administrations generalize these populations as a political tactic to further control and militarize …

Next Time, There Will Be No Next Time: The Short Vs. Long Term Policy Debate For Catastrophe, Analyzed Through Major Events In The United States Of America During 2020, Lauren K. Barlow

Politics Honors Papers

What accounts for citizens’ policy preferences between short-term payoff and long-term investment policies? How are these beliefs impacted by the personal construction of time horizons in relation to “end of times” experiences or disasters? In this research study, I will investigate whether the year 2020 shifted certain demographic groups either towards or away from supporting long-term investment policies in the three aforementioned areas. I compare the preferences of sample groups of Americans before, during, and after 2020, to determine whether the endurance of this time period shifted individuals towards a “Never again” or a “Not Now” mentality, and what the …

The Effects Of Artificial Intelligence On Trial Courts, Alexys Zellner

Honors Projects

Artificial Intelligence has quickly entered the realm of everyday life. Without extensive testing, there have been issues surrounding transparency, accountability, and biased decisions made by Artificial Intelligence decision-making algorithms. When a political institution—such as the courts—uses these types of tools, there is a chance that the negative attributes will impact the institutions and actors using them. The court system relies on legitimacy and public approval to enforce its laws and decisions. This study aimed to determine whether the use of Artificial Intelligence would lead to a decrease in public approval and legitimacy of the courts, as well as diminish perceptions …

Javier Milei, Fenómeno Barrial: Political Slogans As Narrative, Sawyer J. Deshon

Senior Honors Theses

Javier Milei won Argentina’s 2023 presidential race to the surprise of many. His prolific use of political slogans on social media has continued into his presidency, contextualizing his agenda and the potential image he seeks to project when pursuing reelection in 2027. This investigation conducts a critical reading of Javier Milei’s political slogans through the lens of Walter R. Fisher’s narrative paradigm, identifying a clear narrative arc that portrays Milei as a populist political outsider, villainizes the political elite of Argentina, and promises a thriving Argentina rooted in libertarian fiscal policy. The subsequent rhetorical analysis integrates quantitative and qualitative assessments …

Shame Versus Guilt: Effects On Voter Mobilization In A Social Media Environment, Rachel Herner

Honors Projects

Young people traditionally have low voter turnout rates compared to their older counterparts. Voter turnout is essential to maintaining the democratic structure of the United States government. Therefore, extensive research has been conducted to find ways to increase voter turnout among young voters. Past research has shown that social pressure and shame can be utilized to increase voter participation. Additionally, Classical Civilization scholars have investigated the motivations of people through guilt and shame. Given the rise of social media use in the United States by young people over time, researchers have been provided with a new tool to encourage voter …

Support For Progressive Taxation Amidst Economic Inequality, Emma J. Jones

Business and Economics Honors Papers

Progressive taxation remains a heavily debated topic. Among mixed evidence on the effectiveness of progressive tax systems, there is also mixed evidence on what impacts public support for progressive taxation. It is important to explore this as it can better inform politicians or NGOs how to communicate with audiences to shape support for or opposition to this policy. This thesis approaches this question through the lens of relative deprivation, where one’s sense of economic security is influenced by the status of comparison groups. Using cross-national and cross-temporal survey data from the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), I use logit regression …

Variation In Bike Infrastructure Across American Cities, Jason D. Greenberg

Politics Honors Papers

What explains why some cities have developed extensive bike infrastructure while others have not? Bicycling is a low-cost transportation option and is becoming increasingly popular in the 21^st century. While there is extensive literature on bike infrastructure in the United States and its relationship with gentrification and advocacy, there is not significant, explicit dedication and focus toward explaining why variation exists across American cities. In my research design, I examine several factors that could point toward an explanation. The results show that policy diffusion is the most significant factor for bike infrastructure adoption, lending credence to prior literature on …

Border Restrictions In The Rise Of Anti-Immigration Politics, Katherine Hein

Politics Honors Papers

As anti-immigration sentiments have increased across the world, border restrictions have come under the spotlight from extremist right parties (ERPs). In a number of countries, ERPs are gaining support from their immigration rhetoric, which calls for heavily restricting or sometimes closing borders. This thesis examines the impact of restrictive border policies on support for anti-immigration platforms and ERPs. Using the Dataset of World Refugee and Asylum Policies Index and voting records of ERPs over time, a relationship between anti-immigration parties and border restrictions is hypothesized to produce one of three results: the more restrictive a border, the more likely an …

Daca’S Impact On Recipients: Interviews With Three Daca Recipients From Michigan, Jazmin Moron

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the lived experiences of three Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients residing in Michigan. It examines how DACA has impacted their lives across three distinct phases: pre-DACA, while applying for DACA, and post-DACA. Through qualitative, semi-structured interviews, this research uncovers key themes: normal childhood, proof of presence, skeptical DACA future, and restricted immigration pathways. While DACA offered recipients increased opportunities in education, employment, and stability, it also imposed systemic challenges such as costly renewals, limited career growth, and continued legal uncertainty. By focusing on Michigan—a state with a relatively small Hispanic/Latino population—this study highlights the unique …

Misinformation—How It Plays A Role In Our Perceptions Of The Political Realm, Olivia Murray

Research & Creative Achievement Day

If survey recipients are presented with negative misinformation, then they will be unsatisfied with the president elects time in office. If survey recipients are presented with positive misinformation, then they will be unsatisfied with the president elects time in office. This research takes the form of a survey which will be sent Winona State students to record their responses. I will test my hypothesis with one survey, which will include several demographic questions. These questions will be paired with questions that present “fake news” or misinformation about president elect Donald Trump. The misinformation will present him in a negative light. …

Canadian Security Intelligence Service (Csis), Bert Chapman

Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

April 24, 2025 presentation for Canada's GovInfo Day Spring 2025 hosted by Simon Fraser University in British Columbia and Internet Archive Canada. Provides information about the publicly available information resources produced by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) which is the Canadian Government's foremost national intelligence agency. Provides information about this agency's statutory organization, types of publicly available reports they produce, information about other Canadian government intelligence agencies, and parliamentary oversight of Canadian government intelligence operations. Lists additional resources for finding information about CSIS and explains the benefits of having access to these resources for users.

2025 Acssc Program, Acssc Planning Committee

Annual Celebration for Student Scholarship and Creativity

No abstract provided.

The New Right-Wing Populist: The Blonde “Mother Of The Nation”, Christina Charie

Political Science Student Scholarship

Christina Charie ’25, Political Science, Women’s and Gender Studies, and Economics major

Faculty mentor: Dr. Casey Stevens, Political Science

How do far-right populist women rise to positions of influence within patriarchal political parties? This study finds that feminine presentation styles make it more difficult to label a far-right leader as fascist because the aesthetic emphasizes nurturing, motherly qualities. Answering this question is part of understanding the appeal of new female populist right-wing leaders in Europe, like Marine Le Pen and Giorgia Meloni. This paper will use archival research to identify historical trends in right-wing presentation styles, concluding with a comparative …

How External Efficacy Influences Support For Third-Party And Independent Candidates: A Mediational Analysis, Joren (Jordy) Santana

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

As displayed by Ralph Nader in 2000, non-major party candidates can play a decisive role in presidential elections without emerging victorious. Throughout U.S. history, several third-party and independent candidates have garnered notable support, typically among voters who self-identify as independent of partisanship. However, most Independents, particularly leaning Independents, ultimately vote for one of the two major political parties. This research utilizes external efficacy--an individual’s perceptions about the responsiveness of government officials and institutions to citizen demands--as a predictor for voting behavior and partisan identification. In theory, citizens with low external efficacy are more likely to possess frustration with the two …

From Doing Business To B-Ready: World Bank’S New Rankings Represent A Rebrand, Not A Revamp, Fernanda G. Nicola, Dhaisy Paredes Guzman

Popular Media

In 2021, the World Bank shut down one of its flagship projects: the Doing Business index, a global ranking system that measured how easy it was to start and run a business in 190 countries. It followed an independent investigation that found World Bank officials had manipulated the rankings to favor powerful countries, including China and Saudi Arabia. The scandal raised serious concerns about the use of global benchmarks to shape development policy. Now, the Bank is trying again. In October 2024, it launched its newest flagship report, Business Ready. The 2025 spring meeting of the World Bank and its …

The Impact Of The Parkland Shooting On Voter Behavior And Preferences: Focus On Gun Control, Mental Health, And School Safety Policies., Brooke Bock

Honors Projects in Politics, Law, and Society

This paper thesis examines how the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL has influenced voting behavior within the affected community, specifically regarding candidate and policy preferences related to gun control, mental health support, and school safety. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study incorporates surveys and interviews to capture voters' opinions and attitudes in the aftermath of the tragic event. Public voter data is also analyzed to identify shifts in voting patterns and candidate support over time. The research aims to understand the magnitude to which the Parkland shooting has shaped voters' views and decisions, and whether …

Skepticism Beyond Knowledge: External World Moral Skepticism And The Crisis Of Political Rhetoric, Aanya Ghosh

Bates College Journal of Political Studies

This paper examines the application of external world moral skepticism to contemporary political discourse and decision-making processes. Drawing from epistemological traditions that question our ability to access moral truths about the external world, I argue that a pervasive form of moral skepticism has infiltrated modern political rhetoric, creating a crisis of justification for political action. Through discursive analysis of political communication across partisan divides, I demonstrate how skeptical attitudes toward external moral facts have transformed from philosophical positions to rhetorical strategies that undermine democratic deliberation. This transformation has significant implications for how political actors justify policies, how citizens evaluate political …

Bates College Journal Of Political Studies: Volume I, Issue 1, Spring 2025, Bates Initiative For Government Studies

Bates College Journal of Political Studies

No abstract provided.

Smer, Anti-Western Populism, And Political Violence In Post-Communist Slovakia, Augustus Giller

Bates College Journal of Political Studies

Europe today is characterized by an abundance of new, right-wing populist parties which have established themselves as signifi cant and formidable players in European parliaments. A fl ashpoint of this rise has been in the former Eastern Bloc, where right-wing populist parties can both push conservative social policies and use rhetoric surrounding the ongoing war in Ukraine to command attention. This approach can be seen in the Smer-Social Democracy party, which has risen to be a mainstay in Slovakia. Like many other former Eastern Bloc states, Slovakia underwent a substantial post-communist transition process that had lasting impacts on the nation, …

Transforming Ivan The Terrible: History, Memory Politics, And Monuments In Putin’S Russia, Lena Lapierre

Bates College Journal of Political Studies

Like Joseph Stalin before him, Vladimir Putin has brought Ivan the Terrible back from oblivion and has made the memorialization of one of the country’s most infamous and brutal rulers a centerpiece of the Kremlin's contemporary propaganda toolkit. Analyzing a wide spectrum of Russian language sources such as the political speeches, historical lectures, protest posters, and Russian social media posts, this paper explores the various factors motivating the Putin regime’s revitalization of Ivan the Terrible and outlines how ordinary Russians have responded to the politicized whitewashing of their history. In 2016, with much fanfare, the provincial city of Orel erected …

One Step Back, Two Steps Forward: How Ballistic Missile Defenses Put Us On The Path To War, Karan Kuppa-Apte

Bates College Journal of Political Studies

This article argues that the use of credible homeland ballistic missile defense (BMD) systems counterintuitively encourages offense dominance by undermining the deterrence by punishment behind mutually assured destruction (MAD). It contends that while BMD is a defensive technology, under conditions of MAD that defensive capability, if credible, is perceived by adversaries to signal an intention to circumvent deterrence. Fearing an attack with impunity, adversaries increase their supply of offensive weapons, pressuring defenders to improve their BMD capabilities, and an arms race thus emerges. Using detailed case studies of Israel’s missile defense against the Axis of Resistance and Chinese reactions to …

Votes In The Balance: A Statistical Analysis Of Voting Behavior In The 2016 Presidential Election, Evan M. Carter

Harding Undergraduate Research Conference

The 2016 Presidential Election was unprecedented in its results. The predicted winner, Hillary Clinton, ended up winning the popular vote, but lost in the Electoral College count to Donald Trump. I examine voting for the winner, Donald Trump, and what factors caused people to vote for him or for another candidate. Although there are several factors that go into how people vote, I analyze demographic, geographic, and ideological predictors for why people voted the way they did. To do this, I will run a regression model on my dataset. Since my dependent variable is dichotomous, meaning there are only two …

Trust At The Polls: Examining Perceptions Of Election Fairness And Voting Intentions, Amy L. Nyary

Honors Theses

Leading up to the 2024 U.S. presidential election, concerns about electoral fairness and integrity in democratic institutions became central to public discourse. This study examines how perceptions of election fairness and integrity mediate the relationship between political ideology and voting intentions. While prior research has demonstrated the influence of political ideology and trust in electoral processes on voter behavior (Birch, 2010; Stanziani et al., 2024; Schaffner & Streb, 2002), the mediating role of these perceptions remains underexplored. To address this gap, we collected online survey data from 524 participants, measuring political ideology, voting intentions, and perceptions of electoral fairness and …

Conducting Effective Literature Searches And Writing Strong Abstracts, Bert Chapman

Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

This invited presentation for students at Poland's War Studies University communicates ideas on how Ph.D. students at this institution can enhance their research quality. Specific content includes formulating your research question, determining research aims and methodology, reviewing a research question checklist, understanding the meaning of search terms you propose to utilize, devising effective search strategies, consulting multiple varieties of information resources from multiple countries, finding gaps in literature, being able to distinguish between nuances in literature and data, writing succinct abstracts, and enhancing the clarity of your prose.