Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Rise Of Agenda Diversity In America: Its Cause And Consequences, John K. Wagner

Political Science ETDs

More than ever, Americans disagree on what issues are important. This diversity in the public agenda has received scant attention in recent years. Consequently, our understanding of why agenda diversity developed relies on a single analysis method, and we know next to nothing about the consequences for the American polity. Using a novel approach to measuring agenda diversity and an advanced experimental design, this dissertation demonstrates the causal connection between issue-based selective exposure to news and higher agenda diversity. Concerning its consequences, this work investigates congressional responsiveness. Results from a complex analysis of constituency public opinion, Congress bill sponsorship, and …

Recruitment Machines, Community Power And Political Return On Investment (Proi): Economic Development Policy In The Age Of Amazon, Eric G. Griego Montoya

Political Science ETDs

ABSTRACT

A fundamental policy choice in economic development among local policy makers is the appropriate mix of “outside” strategies that use incentives to attract companies, and “inside” strategies that invest in smaller and local businesses. Using a mixed-methods research design, including national and state surveys along with qualitative analysis of interviews conducted with policy elites, I examine the role of ideology, elites, community, competition, social capital (trust and influence), and electoral politics in these policy decisions. I use new descriptive theoretical frameworks called “recruitment machines” and “Political Return on Investment (PROI)” to describe how and why local elected officials support …

Cross-Pressured: Agriculture, Immigration, And Congressional Gop Position-Taking, Jared William Clay

Political Science ETDs

Why are Republican (GOP) members of the Congress bucking their party’s positions on immigration? I argue this is due to agriculture’s large-scale production needs for an immigrant, Latino workforce. Consequently, this immigration influx can excite racial threats which can provoke opposition to immigration and minority interests. This raises an interesting question: Do the agricultural transition and an immigrant workforce cross-pressure district opinion and MCs’ position-taking on immigration and Latino interests more broadly? I assert agriculture’s economic pressure mitigates racial threats, which produces greater support of immigration and Latino issues. Using data from the Congressional Cooperative Election Survey, Congress.gov, Census of …

Understanding Attitudes Toward Healthcare Reform: The Roles Of Self-Interest, Group Identity And Racial Resentment, Maria Beatrice Livaudais

Political Science ETDs

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) cemented itself as one of the most controversial pieces of legislation of the decade. Public opinion polls find Americans are often evenly split in support of the ACA. This dissertation explores the roles of self-interest, group identity, and racial resentment on attitudes toward the ACA and healthcare reform. The dissertation centers our attention on variation by race and the impact racial tensions beyond the Black-White paradigm on these attitudes. I find group identity shapes attitudes Blacks’ and Latinos’ attitudes toward the ACA but not Whites’ and racial resentment, directed toward Blacks, Latinos …

Hora De Las Noticias: The Importance Of Spanish- Language News Media For Us Latinos, Barbara Gomez-Aguinaga

Political Science ETDs

This dissertation examines the mechanisms that set Spanish-language (SL) news media apart from mainstream media, and how they influence political behavior and identity among US Latinos. Specifically, it analyzes (1) the role of content coverage of SL news on issue salience, (2) the use of Spanish as a US minority language in the dissemination of information and its effects on Latino identity, and (3) the presence of Latino reporters and its implications on media trust. By leveraging original data collection, including conceptual content analyses and population-based survey experiments, and by engaging in multiple theories from political science and other fields …

The Legislative Recycling Bin: A Reevaluation Of The Policy Process, Angelina L. González-Aller

Political Science ETDs

Congressional scholarship has long sought to understand the conditions under which a member of Congress is successful in converting a policy idea into a law. Two areas of this research, the bill sponsorship literature and the legislative effectiveness literature, have developed scholarly understanding on both the motivations and outcomes of bill sponsorship, as well as illuminating the conditions under which a bill is more likely to become law. The empirical approaches of these areas of study however, do not adequately capture the complexities of Congress. Most studies of the legislative process treat bill sponsorship and the policy process as a …

Queering Latinidad: Latinx Politics Beyond Nativity, Melina Juarez

Political Science ETDs

Much debate surrounds the emergence of the term "Latinx." While some have argued against its usage, others have deeply embraced it as a way of representing the gender diversity found within the Latina/o community. Yet, these arguments do not transcend the boundaries of gender to include other facets of identity subverted within the concept of Latinidad. This project seeks to extend the boundaries of Latinx to include other areas of identity that are inherent parts of being a Latino in the United States, including sexuality, African roots, indigeneity, among others. This dissertation seeks to understand whether our rigid conceptualization of …

Recruitment In Bernalillo County Of Major Party Candidates For The State Legislature, Dorothy Jean Powell

Political Science ETDs

Politics is a great game of sorts no matter where it is played. In New Mexico it is played in the open. Very little skullduggery is totally hidden from view. And it is not a superior press which keeps it this way. It is the general interest of New Mexicans in their politics. New Mexicans are not bored with politics. Perhaps because men are so sparse they each feel they have a greater voice in government. Perhaps the Spanish and Mexican heritage has much to do with it. In colonial and territorial days the governor was an import, but subordinate …

The Administration Of Governor Merritt Cramer Mechem (1921-1923), John Paul Seman

Political Science ETDs

Governor Mechem was New Mexico's fifth governor. He was only the second Republication (since statehood) to become governor despite the fact that throughout the greatest part of the territorial days, New Mexico was more Republication than Democratic.

A Survey Of Pre-Primary Convention Endorsement Of Party Candidates, Oliver E. Payne

Political Science ETDs

The study is divided into twelve chapters. Chapter one is the introduction. In Chapter two a brief background of American nominating machinery used prior to the advent of the direct primary is discussed. Chapter three is concerned with the direct primary, especially with the most valid criticisms of it. Chapter four deals with the primary plan that was advocated by former Governor Charles Evans Hughes of New York. Chapter five is concerned with the unofficial, tacit agreements that political organizations arrive at in regard to a party slate. This chapter points out that even under the direct primary the party …

An Inquiry Into The Operation Of The Primary System Of New Mexico, Walter L. Mcnutt

Political Science ETDs

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the origin, enactment, and operation of the Direct Primary Code of New Mexico. What has been the effect of greater public participation in the selection of candidates? Has there been a change in the quality of individuals who now seek public office? Has the legislation improved under the law? What are the interests which are for or against the measure? These inquiries will be pursued in the pages that follow.