Digital Commons Network^™

Achieving U.S. Preeminence In The Space Domain, Mohammad Durrani

National Security Affairs and International Relations Theses

As an expansion of the geopolitical theatre, the space domain has become fully integrated into the modern world, providing essential services such as communications, navigation, intelligence, and security for both civil and military purposes. With this integration, the fragility of the space domain becomes visibly apparent. Advancements made by U.S. adversaries, specifically China and Russia, in both satellite and counterspace weapons technologies, present a unique challenge that threatens to undermine U.S. dominance in the space domain. These threats may place the United States under severe constraints if conflict were to arise, potentially compromising critical nodes that are central to its …

Looking To The Past And Abroad To Enhance U.S. Presidential Debates, Jacob W. Justice, Talya P. Slaw, John Koch

Studies in Debate and Oratory

Presidential debates are a valuable, but flawed, method of educating voters about policy issues and candidates. Growing dissatisfaction with presidential debates, and polling evidence suggesting they are failing to inform audiences, creates exigence to reconsider the format of future debates. In this essay, we propose modifications to the format of United States presidential debates, in the interest of facilitating greater clash and audience education. To improve U.S. presidential debates, we draw upon two sources of inspiration: the history of U.S. presidential debates and international experiences with political debates. We recommend exploration of new debate formats that include (1) a narrow …

Observing Cairene Narratives And Subjectivities Towards Covid-19: Reflections On The First Year Of The Pandemic, Sarra Moneir

Future Journal of Social Science

Theoretical and methodological toolkits already existing in the field of political science and social science in the grand sense have been challenged by the tremendous impacts of waves and movements of social change since 2010 in the Arab Region. While political and social scientists were, and still remain, engaged in unravelling questions of how to apprehend the forms of social movements (re-)born, not just in the Arab world but also through the Occupy movements in the US and Europe, they soon had to redirect their focus on issues of migration and refugees, only to find themselves once again confronted with …

Introduction To Strategies And Outcomes, Lisa A. Leitz, Socrates Mbamalu

Peace Studies Faculty Books and Book Chapters

"In this, Volume 48 of Research in Social Movements, Conflicts and Change, chapters contribute to scholarship on the strategies and outcomes of social movements, with only one (Corrigall-Brown, this volume) exploring the relationship between the two and others examining each aspect of social movement scholarship independently."

Sentimental Empiricism: Politics, Philosophy, And Criticism In Postwar France, Davide Panagia

Politics

Sentimental Empiricism reconsiders the legacy of eighteenth and nineteenth century empiricism and moral sentimentalism for the intellectual formation of the generation of postwar French thinkers whose work came to dominate Anglophone conversations across the humanities under the guise of “French theory.” Panagia’s book first shows what was missed in the reception of this literature in the Anglophone academy by attending to how France’s pedagogical milieu plays out church and state relations in the form of educational debates around reading practices, the aesthetics of mimesis, French imperialism, and republican universalism. Panagia then shows how such thinkers as Jean Wahl, Simone de …

When Demography Is (Not) Destiny: Exploring Identity And Issue Cross-Pressures Among Latino Voters In The 2020 Presidential Election, Álvaro José Corral, David S. Leal

Political Science Faculty Publications

Objective

Scholars have struggled to understand Donald Trump's surprising levels of Latino support in two consecutive presidential elections. We test three hypotheses to better understand the strength and weakness of Trump, Biden, and both political parties.

Methods

We conduct bivariate and multivariate analyses of pre- and post-election surveys to identify sources of support (beyond national origin differences) that explain how Trump improved his level of support among Latino voters to reach the low- to mid- 30 percent range.

Results

Intra-Latino differences in ideology, identity (gender and religion), and immigration attitudes help explain Trump's relatively strong showing among Latinos in 2020. …

The Philosophy Of Incarceration And Punishment And Its Evolvement. Is It Enough?, Katherine Sebok

Capstone Projects – Politics and Government

This research project explores the evolution of incarceration philosophies and their disconnect from outdated prison infrastructure in the United States, with a focus on Illinois. From ancient civilizations’ reliance on retributive justice to the modern era’s emphasis on rehabilitation, punishment practices have evolved, yet many facilities remain stuck in the past. The “tough-on-crime” era deepened the divide, leading to overcrowding and neglect. While recent reforms prioritize rehabilitation, progress is hindered by outdated facilities. Illinois’ plans to demolish and rebuild Logan and Stateville Correctional Centers offer renewed hope, but the lengthy process requires significant investment and commitment from all involved parties.

The Years Of Embers In Mauritania: Ethnicity And Narratives, Hawa Saidou Barane Ba

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

The borders in Africa were drawn according to the interests of colonial powers and without consideration of the continent’s ethnic, cultural, and linguistic realities. Thus, roughly 80% of African countries borders were drawn without considering the crucial and pre-existing realities of pre-colonial African societies, splitting ethnically and culturally homogenous groups and grouping diverse others under the same political unit. (Beck, 1993; Lefebvre, 2011). Consequently, many African countries end up with an ethnically diverse population that faces the challenge of living harmoniously together in social cohesion, creating an environment prone to ethnic conflicts, political instabilities, and weak national identities. Mauritania, for …

Social Media And Surveillance Capitalism: Facebook, Political Polarization, Orwellian Dystopia, And American Democracy, Sunil Sahu, Punita Sahu

Political Science Faculty publications

Social media platforms have played a significant role in recent elections in the U.S. and other democracies. While Facebook and Twitter (now renamed X) claimed that they are “on a journey to connect the world,” to serve the goals of reforms and to bring about more democracy, their platforms have been effectively used to spread lies, misinformation, and disinformation which led some analysts to argue that we now live in a post-truth world and that the Orwellian dystopia is upon us. This paper is an attempt to assess whether big tech companies have created an Orwellian state in the U.S. …

A Criminological Analysis Of The “White Supremacy To Anti-Immigrant Violence Pathway”, Ida Oesteraas

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

White supremacy consists of intricate ideologies, systems, privileges, and personal beliefs that result in unequal outcomes based on race in various aspects of life, such as wealth, freedom, health, and happiness (Belew & Gutiérrez, 2021). This dissertation explores the manifestation of white supremacy across various societal levels and its consequent harm and violence against people of color, immigrants, and particularly immigrants of color from Latin America. Here, I coin the term “white supremacy to anti-immigrant violence pathway” to examine how white supremacy has intertwined with our institutions and society, demonstrating how the exclusion and policing of immigrants of color sustain …

Viewing Ir Through A Unicolonial Lens: A Case Study On The Effects Of Cultural Recognition On State Behavior, Andrew Viera

Theses and Dissertations

The following thesis utilizes the concept of unicoloniality, a process found within several ant species, to analyze the aggressive behavior and alliance-forming behavior of states. Through the unique lens of ant colony behavior, this study creates a new variable for quantifying culture that measures whether two states can recognize each other based on their cultural identity. Utilizing this noble variable, a logistic regression model was run to test the impact of cultural recognition on state behavior. The results indicated that cultural recognition had no effect on the decision of a state to join an alliance or engage in a militarized …

The Absence Of A Hegemonic State In The Yaounde Code Of Conduct Regime In The Gulf Of Guinea, Maulana Ammar Auliaur Rahman

Global: Jurnal Politik Internasional

In 2013, countries around the Gulf of Guinea established the Yaounde Code of Conduct as a maritime security regime to prevent and counter piracy and other maritime-related problems in the area. It turned out that numerous challenges made the Yaounde Code of Conduct unable to deal with the piracy problem in the area. This research, therefore, aims to explain the Yaounde Code of Conduct’s inability to deal with the problem using the Hegemonic Stability Theory, which is rooted in a power-based approach from international regimes study. By implementing explanative methods, the author argued that the absence of a hegemonic state …

To What Extent Did Karl Marx's Political Thought Influence The Occupy Wall Street Movement In The 21st Century?, Madalyn A. Schroeder

The Confluence

The research will investigate the intriguing influences of Karl Marx’s political thought and the Occupy Wall Street movement that came to be in the 21st Century. The study looks to measure the depth and significance of Marx’s influence on a modern sociopolitical movement driven by economic inequality and social justice concerns. By taking a multidisciplinary approach that combines political theory, social activism analysis, and historical context, this investigation shows the extent to which Marx’s ideas informed the ideological foundation and strategies of the Occupy Wall Street movement. By looking through primary sources, protest literature, and the discourse of the movement, …

Qatar's Rising Soft Power: From The 1996 Failed Coup To The 2022 World Cup, Mariam Ibrahim Al-Hammadi

Association of Arab Universities Journal for Arts مجلة اتحاد الجامعات العربية للآداب

This paper examines Qatar's use of soft power by shedding light on national imperatives for adopting a soft power approach to foreign policy-making. The paper approaches soft power from an interdisciplinary perspective to show how the State of Qatar has developed a finely-tuned foreign policy since the failed coup in 1996.

Being a small state in the Arabian Gulf, Qatar has focused on proving itself on the world stage. The rise in power for Qatar indicates how a small country can overpower challenges and become successful by adopting soft power. Qatar's soft power policies utilizes academics, the military, foreign aid, …

Cameras For Girls: Nonprofit Spotlight, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Full Issue: Artificial Intelligence And Data For Nonprofit Organizations, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Nonprofit Efficiency And Productivity Through Ai: Applications Of Chatgpt, Sam R. Calhoun, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This article explores how nonprofit organizations can leverage AI to enhance efficiency and productivity. Key areas of impact include automating routine inquiries, supporting fundraising efforts, streamlining administrative tasks, aiding in program delivery, facilitating research and analysis, improving internal communication, and providing professional development. By integrating AI, nonprofits can optimize operations and focus more on their core mission, leading to greater social impact.

At-A-Glance Chart: How Nonprofits Can Use Ai/Chatgpt, Sam Calhoun, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Research Summaries: Artificial Intelligence And Data For Nonprofits, Erica Jensen

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

A Humanistic Approach To Politics: Ahp's Call For An "Authentic" Politics Of Truth And Accountability, Carroy U. Ferguson

Psychology Faculty Publication Series

As human beings on this tiny planet in the cosmos we call Earth, we live as ‘citizens’ in a variety of people-determined land demarcations that we call countries, each with its own unique version of politics. Citizens in the United States and people in the world, therefore, are engaged in a variety of political dramas. It is fair to say that in the United States and globally, the current political climate is very divisive. In the United States and globally, humanity is at an inflection point in the evolution of its consciousness at individual and collective levels. Out of fear, …

‘The Overheated World’: Crisis Politics And Neoliberal Inertia, Shomik Chakrabarti

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, policymakers were forced to balance the maintenance of ongoing economic activity alongside the measures advised by epidemiologists and other public health officials to contain the viral spread. The magnitude of the pandemic forced major conduits of the global economy to come to a sudden halt through incidents such as border closures, supply chain disruptions, lockdowns and calls for individuals to distance themselves from one another. Like the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, COVID-19 was thought to signal an inflection point for neoliberal political economy where a possible post-neoliberal era would develop in the aftermath …

Emotional Diplomacy From Tel Aviv To Baghdad: Analyzing The Impact Of Emotional Appeals On Social Media Engagement, Soheil Kafiliveyjuyeh

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study investigates the use of emotional appeals in the diplomatic communication of U.S. ambassadors in the Middle East. In the realm of diplomacy, actors might strategically and deliberately exhibit emotions to shape and control how their nation is perceived internationally. The project's primary objective is to explore the effectiveness of emotional appeals in generating social media interactions with politicians’ and ambassadors’ messages, and in building relationships with their target audience through these engagements. Using three studies, I examine the diplomatic communications of U.S. ambassadors in the Middle East by focusing on their utilization of Twitter/X and emotional diplomacy strategies. …

American Evangelicalism And The Status Of Women: Biblical Interpretation, Politicization, And A Future For Secularism, Ivy Macneil Blackwood

University Honors Theses

American evangelicalism has positioned itself as a dominant force in social policy since the 1970s and has continued to grow over time. During Carter's presidency, the Religious Right, a neoconservative political identity of fundamentalist beliefs, emerged with the intention to homogenize American culture by infusing literal interpretations of biblical Scripture with American exceptionalism. With the help of charismatic leaders like Billy Graham, the political manifestations of American evangelicalism's fundamentalist beliefs have been solidified through conservative legislation and Christian demographic dominance in Congress and the Supreme Court. Women have been particularly burdened by evangelical institutionalization, as access to socioeconomic and political …

Vladimir Putin’S Leadership Traits Over 11 Years: A Longitudinal Study Of Putin’S Third Term In Office Using Leadership Trait Analysis, Payton J. Casteel

Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals

While an abundance of literature has studied the actions and behaviors of Vladimir Putin, the most extensive area involves leadership analysis (Semenova and Winter 2020). Various methods within political psychology have used analyses to study Putin throughout his time in office. However, no published research has studied Putin using leadership trait analysis, nor have any published works studied his changes in leadership leading up to the invasion of Ukraine. Using a mixed methods longitudinal study design on Vladimir Putin from 2012 to 2023, five periods in his third term were identified, with speeches taken and coded using the seven LTA …

Rhetorical Resonances: An Affective Logic Of Emergence In Space And Time, Craig R. Weathers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This project explores the affective circulation of controversy in contemporary public discourse through a rhetorical ecological approach. It addresses the problem of how flattened conceptions of power and social movements cast in binary opposition prevent effective deliberation around public controversies. The research method involves analyzing three case studies through a new framework for rhetorical studies, called a logic of emergence, to consider the resonance and trajectories of actants (individuals, groups, and institutions) in conflict. The first case study examines the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville and the discursive equating of antifa and the Alt-Right. The second case analyzes the …

A Story Of State Transformation In The Global South: Limited Statehood And Governance In Post-Syria Lebanon, Jodor Jalit

Theses and Dissertations

This research thesis analyzes security governance in areas of limited statehood in the context of state transformation. Specifically, it examines the impact of the 2005 Syrian military withdrawal on the Lebanese state in the realm of security. Briefly, the thesis unveils the coexistence of state and non-state groups and the engagement of non-state actors in state-like practices. That is, it assesses the impact of the 2005 Syrian military withdrawal on the Lebanese state to reveal the relationship its new configuration, relationship with non-state actors, and emerging governance practices. In that sense, this thesis pretends to contribute to the larger body …

Social Bonding Theory And Early 20th Century Islamophobia, Tseleq Yusef

African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies

Contemporary discussions of Islamopobia are oftentimes couched within discussions of national security concerns that follow the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Further, the victims of Islamophobia are typically situated within discussions revolving around Muslim-immigrant, or immigrant-descended communities. However, a closer examination of the history of both Islam in America, and national security policy reveal that not only does the presence of Islamophobia pre-date 9/11, it has its roots within, and has worked alongside Jim Crow racism. This project 1) explores the earliest forms of Islamophobia in America as an early 20th century, and distinctly anti-black phenomenon, while simultaneously 2) applying social …

واقع حرية الرأي والتعبير في منصات التواصل الاجتماعي لدى المستخدم الفلسطيني, Nadeen Hani Khalil Husary

Journal of the Association of Arab Universities for Research in Higher Education مجلة اتحاد الجامعات العربية للبحوث في التعليم العالي

هدف المقال بيان أهمية توجيه دور منصات التواصل الاجتماعي في إبراز الحق في حرية التعبير عن الرأي لدى المستخدم الفلسطيني في ظل الاحتلال الإسرائيلي، عبر التداول الرقمي والسردية للأحداث في فلسطين، وما نتج عن ممارسة هذا الحق من تقييد للحريات، وفرض عقوبات، واعتقالات، واتهامات بحق المستخدمين والناشطين الفلسطينيين. واعتمدت الدراسة على المنهج الوصفي التحليلي؛ في وصف دور منصات التواصل الاجتماعي في الحديث عن القضية الفلسطينية، وفي حرية التعبير عن الرأي للمستخدم الفلسطيني في ظل الاحتلال الاسرائيلي، بالإضافة للوقوف على طبيعة استخدام هذه المنصات وما ينتج عنه من انتهاكات من قبل سلطات الاحتلال وإدارات شركات التواصل الاجتماعي من خلال المقابلات المعمقة. …

واقع حريّة الرأيّ والتعبير عبر الإنترنت (دراسة حالة الأردن), Oraib Hani Momani

Journal of the Association of Arab Universities for Research in Higher Education مجلة اتحاد الجامعات العربية للبحوث في التعليم العالي

هدف المقال استعراض واقع حريّة الرأي والتعبير عبر الانترنت في الأردن. ولتحقيق هذا الهدف. تم استخدام المنهج الوصفي التحليلي، والمنهج القانوني، ومنهج دراسة الحالة. وقد توصّلت الدراسة إلى أن حريّة الرأي وحريّة التعبير ترتبط بالأخرى وهما انعكاس لبعضهما، إذ إنّ ما يحمله الفرد من أفكار ومعتقدات وآراء ينعكس عمليّاً على أرض الواقع من خلال ممارسته لحقّه في التعبير. وما يُميّز الحق في حريّة الرأي والتعبير عبر الإنترنت هو أنّه تتم ممارسته في البيئة الرقميّة، وذلك إمّا من خلال تلقّي الأفكار أو المعتقدات أو الآراء عبر الشبكة العنكبوتيّة، أو التعبير عن الأفكار أو الآراء أو المعتقدات التي يحملها الفرد بأيّ وسيلةٍ …

Lawfare As A Policy Tool In Sino-American Relations: The Case Of Huawei Cfo Meng Wanzhou, Zachary S. Souders

Hatfield Graduate Journal of Public Affairs

Competition between the United States and China is at an all-time high. Despite decades of diplomacy between the East and West, recent trends suggest the two powers are drifting further apart. To understand US-China relations, it is critical to understand major developments as they occur. This paper examines the geopolitical significance of United States v. Meng (2020), an extradition case in which US authorities requested the transfer of Chinese tech executive Meng Wanzhou to American jurisdiction. Despite US policymakers declaring Meng and Huawei to be threats to national security, the eventual dismissal of all charges Meng faced presents a puzzle …