Digital Commons Network^™

Too Precarious By Half: Understanding Indonesia’S Refusal Of Ex-Isis Indonesian Citizens’ Return In Favor Of Its Security Interest, Abel Josafat Manullang, Ana Maulana, Yosua Saut Marulitua Gultom

Journal of Middle East and Islamic Studies

The problems stemming from ISIS does not only come during the pinnacle of its campaign of terror, rather it is also available following its downfall. One prominent example would be the many former ISIS members who now wish to return home. Indonesia, having some of its citizens joining ISIS back then, made the stern call to deny their return. To this day, debates and discussions over it still remain to this day. Against that backdrop, the article seeks to explain why the aforementioned decision was made by taking into account the security dimension of the matter. In carrying out this …

Casar Student Debate Series #5 : 'The 2024 Us Elections On Gender & Reproductive Rights', The Prince Alwaleed Center For American Studies And Research Casar

Performances, Events, and Presentations

Every semester, CASAR AUC holds miscellaneous student debates discussing the hot controversial topics in the US, Egypt and from around the world in hopes of raising awareness about these topics & broadening the perspectives of our students as they learn to engage in fruitful discussions as they share different opinion on the topic being deliberated. At this CASAR Student Discussion event #5 in light of the current 2024 US Elections, we debated about who should win strictly from a gendered lens. A brief into was given by event moderator CASAR Assistant to Director and Adjunct Faculty Yasmeen El-Ghazaly, followed by …

Illuminating Progress: Charting An Energy-Driven Future For The Islamic World, Syarifah Huswatun Miswar

Journal of Middle East and Islamic Studies

This paper examines the development of the energy sector in the Islamic world, focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries in the transition to sustainable energy. Despite being rich in natural resources, many Islamic countries are still dependent on fossil fuels and face constraints in universal energy access. This study analyzes the current energy landscape in OIC countries, identifies key barriers to energy development, and emphasizes the need for a new roadmap that integrates knowledge and development. The research also investigates the potential role of Islamic finance in funding sustainable energy projects, with a …

Selected Indiana Government Statistical Agencies And Their Data, Bert Chapman

Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

Provides coverage of Indiana state government agencies statistics and selected Tippecanoe County, Indiana local government statistical publications. Presentation describes state agencies such as the Indiana Departments of Agriculture, Education, Health, Local Government Finance, and State Budget Agency. Examples of historical and current data are presented.

Decentralized Voluntary Agreements Do Not Reduce Emissions In A Climate Change Experiment, Alessandro Del Ponte, Aidas Masiliūnas, Noah Lim

Political Science Faculty Articles and Research

Can climate accords based on decentralized and voluntary agreements successfully reduce carbon emissions? We designed an economic experiment to study the effectiveness of the best-known mechanisms to foster international cooperation on climate change mitigation: climate pledges, financial penalties, and peer evaluation. We test each mechanism both separately and together. In the climate pledge treatments, participants could pledge their desired emissions target, approved by majority vote. In the treatments with financial penalties, failure to meet pledges triggered monetary sanctions. In the peer evaluation treatments, participants could evaluate each other, which determined who would receive an additional nonmonetary environmental prize. We find …

Revisiting Marcuse On Repressive Tolerance: A Twenty-First Century Retrospective, David Ingram

Philosophy: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Herbert Marcuse’s essay Repressive Tolerance (RP) has been praised by the Left and vilified by the Right for its alleged promotion of censorship targeting reactionary opinions and actions. I argue that this interpretation of the text is mistaken. According to my alternative reading of the text, RP should be understood as an exercise in provocation and irony aimed at defending civil disobedience and dissent. Marcuse’s defense of dissent, however, appeals to a critique of pure tolerance that exposes the unavoidably partisan practice of tolerance, which invariably favors the reigning undemocratic status quo. The choice whether to tolerate in a manner …

Unveiling Transnational Organised Crimes Networks: Maritime Narcotics Trafficking And Smuggling In Kepulauan Riau, Sayed Fauzan Riyadi, Azhari Setiawan, Ardi Putra, Aspin Nur Arifin Rivai

Global: Jurnal Politik Internasional

Maritime routes in Kepulauan Riau Province, Indonesia, serve as pivotal entry points for narcotics trafficking and smuggling within the Southeast Asian region. This study delves into the establishment and evolution of these illicit networks by examining three key variables: demographic and socio-economic characteristics, operating structures and classifications, methods, means, and funding sources. Leveraging an analysis of 355 court rulings records, the authors constructed a comprehensive dataset encompassing these variables. The findings underscore the intricate nature of narcotics trafficking networks, spanning from production to distribution, with involvement at various levels across diverse demographics. Notably, the exorbitant earnings potential, with couriers fetching …

Martial Spirits And Marital Rites: Assessing Rousseau's Critique Of Commerce's Devaluation Of The Military And The Family, Jacob A. Harvey

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation will investigate Rousseau’s critique of how commercial society devalues soldiers and families and the responses provided by defenders of commerce. I will examine Rousseau’s corpus to demonstrate how Rousseau viewed commerce as a threat to both the responsibilities that men in a political community must be willing to fight and die for their country, as commercial societies intensify the hedonistic risk-averse calculations within members of the community. I will also show how Rousseau’s concerns towards commerce extended to the family, inhibiting the joys that can come with being part of a family and inhibiting citizens' willingness to have …

Water Resources Management Policies In Kosovo And The Harmonization With The Water Framework Directive In The European Union, Nexhat Balaj, Hyzer Rizani, Filloreta Balaj

UBT International Conference

The purpose of this paper is to study the role of environmental policies for the protection of water in the Republic of Kosovo, the challenges in the management of water resources for sustainable development and the harmonization with the Water Framework Directive in the European Union. Water plays an important role in determining aquatic ecosystems and public health. Water pollution in Kosovo is causing damage to ecosystems, affects the deterioration of the water in rivers and is considered a potential risk for the environment and health. The work is based on the qualitative and comparative method which is based on …

Reassessing Defense: How The Ukraine War Shapes Military Capabilities And Budgets In The Western Balkans, Alfred Marleku, Dea Selimi

UBT International Conference

This paper explores the impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine on the military capabilities and defense budgets of Western Balkan countries. The conflict has prompted a reassessment of security strategies and resource allocation in the region, influencing both military modernization and spending priorities. By examining budgetary trends, policy shifts, and strategic initiatives, this study aims to comprehensively analyze how these countries have responded to the heightened security concerns posed by the war. The findings highlight the broader implications for regional stability and future defense planning.

The Impact Of Digital Diplomacy On National Security: Navigating The Positive And Negative Aspects, Ngadhnjim Brovina, Bahri Gashi, Dionit Kabashi

UBT International Conference

This paper examines the impact of digital diplomacy on national security by providing a comprehensive analysis of the benefits and risks that this modern form of diplomacy brings to the management of international relations and the protection of national interests. The research explores how digital technologies and social media platforms contribute to the enhancement of communication, engagement, and influence of states on the global stage, and how these aspects can affect national security. The study analyzes how these digital tools offer opportunities for direct communication, increased transparency, and improved crisis management. However, it also addresses significant challenges associated with digital …

Human Security Is A Vital Issue For The Individual And An Important Task For The State And Society, Bajram Ibraj

UBT International Conference

Human security considered a new conceptual development, necessary in the conditions of globalization, in the context of state, human and international relations. Human security took on special importance at the time when in 1994 it started to happen a new field of security studies as a sub-discipline of International Relations, with a wide range and deep and what it represents the degree of protection of human beings from all directions. Human security and the protection of lives, the health and everything valuable in the function of man, in everyday life are important, in the context of wars, crimes against humanity, …

Fight Against Corruption In The Administration, Case Study Of Republic Of Kosovo, Muazam Halili, Llokmani Mirtezani

UBT International Conference

The main pillar of a state's stable functioning is the fight against corruption across the whole and in particular in the administration. Based on this principle, the work will address the problem of corruption in the Administration of Kosovo, by highlighting its forms and causes, and the effectiveness of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo in the fight against this negative phenomenon. For the realization of this work during the research, contemporary methods applied in the social sciences have been applied. In this context we have used relevant contemporary study literature such as: university books, scientific journals, professional - …

The 2024 Elections: Buckle Up (Yet Again), J. Michael Bitzer

Colloquiums

Welcome to the Faculty Colloquium featuring Dr. Michael Bitzer, Leonard Chair of Political Science and Director of the Center for NC Politics & Public Service at Catawba College. In his presentation titled “The 2024 Elections: Buckle Up (Yet Again),” Dr. Bitzer delves into the complexities of the upcoming election cycle. He explores themes such as the increasing negativity and tribalism in politics, the unique competitive nature of North Carolina as a “stuck and bi-polar” battleground state, and the generational dynamics influencing voter behavior. By analyzing past election results and current trends, Dr. Bitzer provides insightful predictions and prepares us for …

Mutual Recognitions Across Generations, Steven L. Winter Walter S. Gibbs Distinguished Professor Of Constitutional Law

Law Faculty Research Publications

“Sovereignty,” Arendt says, “is contradictory to” the human condition. It is not, in any event, the kind of thing that can be shared across generations. Subsequent generations lack sovereignty to the precise degree that they are bound by the decisions of their predecessors. It is no answer to say that contemporary citizens participate in the sovereignty of a whole, transgenerational people. To paraphrase de Tocqueville, later generations are not free because they are not entirely equal, and they are not equal because they are not entirely free.

Where “sovereignty” is a metaphysical concept that transcends time, recognition is an act …

The Rise And Fall Of Caribbean Piracy: A Socio-Technical Analysis Of The War Of Spanish Succession, Maritime Innovation, And Edward Randolf’S Policy, Dominique M. Salinski

Armstrong Undergraduate Journal of History

This paper argues that the mode and historical context in which piracy ascended in the Caribbean after the War of the Spanish Succession, as well as the historical interrelation between maritime technology and pirate tactics, coalesced into a diachronic Damocles Sword that resulted in the downfall of piracy in the Golden Age. Sanctioning piratical enterprises as a subconventional maritime strategy displayed a geopolitical reliance on piracy by great powers. However, the depraved treatment conventional sailors received across all major European navies generated a social stratum that eventually bore the Golden Age of Piracy, while simultaneously contributing significantly to British naval …

Career Motives Of Presidential Appointees And Agency Communication Across American States, Huchen Liu

Political Science Faculty Publications

Do the career motives of presidential appointees affect program administration? To answer this question, I examine the phased development of policy communication of the U.S. Farm Service Agency (FSA) across states from 2002 to 2018 based on an original collection of historical official websites. This is a rare policy context for examining why peer appointees administer the same programs differently. Linking the state-by-state development of FSA newsletters to the career trajectories of state executive directors (SEDs), the presidential appointees who lead state FSAs, I show that SEDs interested in elective office post-appointment are associated with faster institutionalization of newsletters. Examining …

Global Newspaper Assignment, Christi Siver

Political Science Faculty Publications

This assignment was created for POLS 121: Introduction to International Relations.

Learning Goals:

1. Become more familiar with an international topic.

2. Develop experience with the library databases.

3. Improve research skills to identify relevant non-U.S. perspectives

4. Practice analytical skills to become critical consumers of political information.

a. Learn to distinguish between authoritative and unreliable information sources.

b. Understand the importance of considering perspectives beyond U.S. media sources.

c. Understand when and how to cite properly.

d. Synthesize ideas from multiple sources.

e. Understand how reading multiple perspectives presents a more nuanced view of international relations.

5. Reflect …

Modern Governance System For Global Sustainable Development Goals, Bojie Fu, Jinghai Li, Junze Zhang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as a key global framework for addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges, have drawn widespread attention due to the slow progress in their implementation. Despite the international community’s high regard for the SDGs, current research predominantly focuses on the assessment of progress and the analysis of interlinkages among the goals, with insufficient discussion on how to improve governance systems aimed at achieving the SDGs. Based on the system classification framework of SDGs, which includes “essential needs”, “objectives,” and “governance” categories, this study develops a governance system for the comprehensive realization of the SDGs. It analyzes …

Carbon Emission Estimation For Computing Infrastructure: Methods, Progress, And Prospects, Xiaohong Chen, Liaoying Cao, Yangjie Wang, Zhuqian He, Wenzhi Cao

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As a foundational pillar of an increasingly digital and intelligent society, computing infrastructure embodies a dual nature—marked by high energy consumption and potential for emission reduction simultaneously. This duality positions it as a critical domain requiring balance under China’s dual-carbon goals. Nevertheless, there remains no clear consensus on methods for estimating its carbon emissions. Its ambiguity stems from differences in the applicability of assessment methods across various lifecycle stages, as well as a fragmented understanding of its intrinsic emissions and enabling effects on carbon mitigation. This study systematically reviews estimation methodologies from both broad and narrow perspectives, highlighting the heterogeneity …

Meta-Assessment And Responsible Use Of Scientometric Indicators: Theoretical Framework And Empowerment Path Of Scientific And Technological Innovation, Jintao Bao, Yi Bu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Against the backdrop of China’s effort to deepen the reform of the scientific research system and optimize the ecological environment for scientific and technological innovation, constructing a science and technology assessment system oriented towards innovation value, capability, and contribution has become a critical component. Addressing the core challenge of establishing a new paradigm following the current “Breaking the Five-Onlys” reform, this study introduces meta-assessment as the core theoretical framework, aiming to systematically examine the validity, reliability, and fairness of scientometric indicators, thereby breaking the “indicator-behavior” mutual construction cycle and preventing the risk of new indicator alienation. To this end, the …

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam And The Shifting Balance Of Power In The Horn Of Africa, Muhammad Fauzan Rizki Ramadhan

Global: Jurnal Politik Internasional

This article briefly explains the correlation between Ethiopia’s ambitious GERD project and the potential shift in power distribution in the region known as the Horn of Africa. The GERD (Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam) is a hydroelectric dam designed to drive economic growth by harnessing the Nile River as its core. Focusing on a regional-level analysis, this article will examine the relationship between the completion of the project and the shift in power distribution between Egypt as the local status-quo power, and Ethiopia as the regional challenger. Thus, the dramatic transition in regional structure is related to categorizing the Nile River …

Cognitive Landscapes: Argument Evaluations, Misinformation Corrections, And Racial Attitudes In Modern Media, Dominique Lockett

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores three critical aspects of communication that significantly impact how individuals process information and form opinions in today's polarized media landscape. While the experiments in each chapter do not directly interact, they collectively illuminate the complex interplay of cognitive biases, misperceptions, and counter-normative speech in shaping public discourse. The first chapter examines argument congruency bias, demonstrating how individuals evaluate arguments based on their alignment with pre-existing beliefs while still distinguishing between strong and weak reasoning. It also investigates the potential of objectivity priming to mitigate these biases, yielding insights into the challenges of overcoming ingrained cognitive patterns. The …

Cognitive Landscapes: Argument Evaluations, Misinformation Corrections, And Racial Attitudes In Modern Media, Dominique Lockett

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores three critical aspects of communication that significantly impact how individuals process information and form opinions in today's polarized media landscape. While the experiments in each chapter do not directly interact, they collectively illuminate the complex interplay of cognitive biases, misperceptions, and counter-normative speech in shaping public discourse. The first chapter examines argument congruency bias, demonstrating how individuals evaluate arguments based on their alignment with pre-existing beliefs while still distinguishing between strong and weak reasoning. It also investigates the potential of objectivity priming to mitigate these biases, yielding insights into the challenges of overcoming ingrained cognitive patterns. The …

Organizing Black Business: The National Negro Business League, 1900–1915, Adam Chamberlain, Alixandra B. Yanus

Political Science

Founded by Booker T. Washington in 1900, the National Negro Business League (NNBL) sought to unite Black business owners, promote entrepreneurship, and develop economic power. Despite its prominence in the early twentieth century, the group declined after Washington’s death in 1915. As a result, little is known about its organizational development. This study uses data on state and local Negro Business Leagues (NBLs), along with active and life members of the NNBL, to better understand the group’s first fifteen years. Analyses reveal that the NNBL’s development reflected closely the social and economic context of early twentieth century Black America. Generally …

A Conversation Between Tone-Deaf Rivals: A Phenomenological Study Of Lebanon’S National Dialogue, Amal A. Chmouny

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

National dialogue in Lebanon is an engaging practice vital in times of instability. This research addresses the complexities and challenges inherent in Lebanon's consociational political landscape through a qualitative analysis of the dialogue processes. Despite Lebanon's reliance on dialogues to navigate high tensions and conflict, this study finds that such dialogues still need to address the core issues, including enhancing security, unity, reform, transparency, and elections. The influence of Lebanon's confessional elites, deeply rooted in its sectarian divisions, further complicates the political efforts toward achieving comprehensive and equitable solutions. This study argues that national dialogues in Lebanon are a political …

Collaborative Professional Development Featuring Innovative Curriculum Materials, Cory Callahan

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Here I synthesize two research investigations (Callahan, 2018, 2019) that comprise a continuing line of inquiry into the potential of innovative curriculum materials and sustained collaboration as a professional development program to help in-service teachers understand and implement a complex model of social studies instruction. This article features an original innovative curriculum material and specifically explores the question: To what degree can a collaborative professional development program featuring innovative curriculum materials help social studies teachers understand and implement a powerful social studies approach? Findings suggest the professional development program and its innovative curriculum materials helped teachers promote substantive pedagogical thinking …

Un/Learning To Disagree. A Response To "Pragmatist Thinking For A Populist Moment: Contingency And Racial Re-Valuing In Education Governance", Edda Sant, Marta Da Costa

Democracy & Education

How should education governance respond to increasing polarized perspectives? Drawing on contemporary African American pragmatism, Knight-Abowitz and Sellers’s article "Pragmatist Thinking for a Populist Moment: Contingency and Racial Re-valuing in Education Governance" interrogated the critical case of Black Lives Matters and anti-critical race theory protests in the USA education governance and concluded that inquiry and deliberation are needed to embrace more pluralistic forms of democracy. In our response, in which we engage with decolonial, agonistic, and speculative theories, we share Knight-Abowitz and Sellers’s analytical framings. Yet we wonder to what extent inquiry and deliberation can push off racial habits and …

Polarization In Multidisciplinary Perspective, Eugen Dimant, Erik O. Kimbrough

Economics Faculty Articles and Research

This article provides an introduction to and overview of the articles in the PNAS Nexus Special Feature on Polarization and Trust.

Forecasting The 2024 Republican Presidential Nomination: Can The Former Heavyweight Champ Win Another Title Shot?, Andrew J. Dowdle, Randall E. Adkins, Karen Sebold, Wayne P. Steger

Public Policy Faculty & Graduate Student Publications and Presentations

Abstract

Donald Trump’s bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination is unique in that no former president since Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 has sought the nomination of their political party, nor has a candidate sought the nomination while facing multiple criminal indictments. With data from previous nomination cycles, we use presidential nominations from 1980 to 2020 to create a forecast for the 2024 Republican primaries. The variables in the equations consist of data from the pre-primary period (e.g., money raised, cash reserves, elite endorsements, and polling results) and a second model with results of the Iowa caucuses and the New …