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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 …

Editorial History

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

George C. Roberts Award Recipients

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

96th Annual Iass Conference Call For Papers

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Volume 27, Issue 2 Full Contents

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Author Biographical Notes

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

“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 …

Limit Tests: Sociodemographic Representation In Public Organizations, Christopher Dee Eddy

Theses and Dissertations

Bureaucratic institutions are a critical yet often underappreciated nexus of democratic legitimacy. However, public agencies frequently fail to represent key constituencies of the American public, significantly influencing citizens' attitudes toward governing institutions and challenging effective governance. Research suggests that improving sociodemographic representation within political institutions can reinforce institutional support and citizen trust through symbolic processes and promote equitable policy outcomes through actions of bureaucrats from historically excluded groups.

Despite these insights, past research is divided on if, how, and when descriptive or passive representation leads to beneficial symbolic or active effects. While the existing body of representative bureaucracy theory offers …

Statement From The Indiana Academy Of The Social Sciences And Board Of Directors

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Editor-In-Chief's Note, Surekha Rao

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Mission And Editorial Policy

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Religiosity And Violence Prevention Programs On Violence Amongst Adolescents In The U.S., Ngoc Nguyen, John Paulson, Quentin Maynard, Thu T. Ha

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

Youth violence is a societal concern in the United States due to its negative consequences on individuals and communities. The current study aimed to examine the potential mitigating factors of violence prevention programs and religiosity in reducing youth violence among African American, White, Hispanic, and Asian American adolescents in the United States. It also tested the moderation effects of sex on religiosity and violence prevention programs with youth violence. Results of the main effects revealed that adolescents who attended violence prevention programs were generally less likely to engage in violence than those who did not; and that adolescents who were …

Reviewers And Referees

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Analyzing The Role Of Socio-Political And Cultural Factors In The Implementation Of Transitional Justice In Afghanistan From 2001-2021, Narwan Alawi, Tufail Ahmad Peerzada

Indonesian Journal of International Law

After the end of conflicts, countries generally try to prosecute the criminals who committed war crimes and violations of human rights during conflicts and civil wars to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. In some cases, special courts have been established to trial the perpetrators of these crimes. In post-2001 Afghanistan, as foreign forces led by the USA removed the Taliban from power and with the establishment of the Republic of Afghanistan, a new phase of transitional justice was anticipated. Although the Afghans initially hoped that justice would not be ignored, however, preference was given to establish peace, and the …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

2025 Acssc Program, Acssc Planning Committee

Annual Celebration for Student Scholarship and Creativity

No abstract provided.

Courage Under Crisis: Examining Altruistic Resistance In Mass Atrocities, Kyra K. Layman

Political Science Honors Projects

Why do individuals resist in different ways during mass atrocities? I theorize that variation in altruistic resistance is shaped by access to platforms, personal connections to victims, and organizational membership. Focusing on bystanders who choose to intervene, I develop a new typology of “Helpers” and construct an original global dataset. Using a mixed-methods approach, I test my hypotheses through regression analysis and triangulate my statistical evidence with individual Helper case studies. This research advances scholarship on resistance by systematically analyzing variation in altruistic behavior, contributing to our understanding of the social and institutional factors that may affect Helpers’ actions.

The Right To Gender-Affirming Care, Justin J. Soulas

Theses and Dissertations

As of recent, twenty-four states have enacted bans on gender-affirming care, restricting minors from accessing medically necessary treatment. Existing scholarship has begun to explore the profound impact of these bans on transgender youth, their parents or guardians, and the medical professionals who support them. However, the body of literature on this rapidly evolving issue remains limited. This thesis aims to fill that gap by offering a legal defense of gender-affirming care, grounded in judicial precedent. It argues that parental rights to make medical decisions for their children—recognized in constitutional jurisprudence—extend to decisions involving gender-affirming treatment. Additionally, it draws on anti-discrimination …

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 …

Volume 16, Maggie Duncan, Madeline Little, Alicia Hoffman, Megan Livesay, Gabrielle Quaresma, Serenity Allen, Laina Pfountz, Ainslie Allred, Sabrina Robles, Nicholas J. Duellman, Trinity L. Deguzman, Melissa H. Savage, Margaret Dudley, Jocelyn Escobar, Olivia Hildreth, Olivia Hopkins, Benjamin Gettier, Lee Kassay, Jade Riddle, Ashley Seiders

Incite: The Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Introduction Dr. Amorette Barber, Director, Office of Student Research

From the Editor Dr. Hannah Dudley-Shotwell

Artist’s Statement Maggie Duncan

On Mentoring Dr. Lee Millar Bidwell

The Hujum Campaign in Uzbekistan and its Consequences by Madeline Little

Wet Cupping Compared to Dry Needling for Treatment of Patients with Low Back Pain: A Critically Appraised Topic by Alicia Hoffman and Megan Livesay

Optimization of eDNA Air Sampling Via 3D Printed Fan by Gabrielle Quaresma

Beyond the Classroom: A Qualitative Study of Teacher Attrition and Retention by Serenity Allen and Laina Pfountz

The Treatment of Subacromial Impingement Syndrome with Platelet-Rich plasma Injections Verses …

Evolving Nuclear Deterrence Strategies: Balancing Security And Stability In A Changing World Order., Chick Edmond

Graduate Student Government Association Research Conference

In an increasingly evolving global geopolitical landscape, nuclear deterrence strategies face an unprecedented challenge as the global order transcends from a bipolar to an inevitably multipolar dimension. This paper analyses the strategies of preserving stability and security in a World dominated by diverse power centers, technological advancements and emerging global threats. It examines the practical and theoretical implications of nuclear deterrence in a polycentric context including the risk of escalation, miscalculation and proliferation. By examining the historical trends, current mechanisms and potential future events which increases the likelihood of a nuclear disaster. This research paper provides a critical perspective on …

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.