Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Strategic Narrative And Global Public Opinion On The Russia-Ukraine Conflict, Jason Rhett

CMC Senior Theses

Through analyzing the cases of public opinion in Russia and South Africa, this thesis explores the nature of strategic narratives and the effects that they have on public opinion. Using the Russia-Ukraine conflict as a case study, it is conclusive that while strategic narratives are important and impactful, they are not the only factor that shape domestic and international public opinion. In Russia, while narrative has swayed a large portion of the population, there are those who’s stances can be attributed to the pressure to conform to the Russian nationalist majority. In South Africa, the country’s leadership has taken a …

The People Are A-Changin’: The Political Groupings That Built American Folk And Country Music, Nicholas Taubenheim

CMC Senior Theses

Since the Civil War, American folk and country music have become deeply political cultural mediums. This thesis posits that the history of the folk-country family can be broken down into three distinct “eras.” During the first era, the post-Civil War South gave rise to a new form of “Dixie,” or “hillbilly” folk music derived from traditional European folk ballads. In the second era, the Dust Bowl migrants of Southern California pioneered the “Okie” sound, which built upon Dixie/hillbilly music. And in the third era, the political and cultural dissidents of the 1960s produced a new type of folk music in …

The Impact Of Armed Drones On Human Security Goals, Sarath Kakani

CMC Senior Theses

The rapid proliferation of armed drones around the globe has sparked a debate on their benefits and their tradeoffs. Through a traditional security perspective, drones are the ideal weapon of the future: incredible technological capabilities lend tactical advantages to any military that owns drones. They allow actors to strike at enemy combatants without no risk to their own troops and minimal risk to any civilian bystanders. Yet through a nontraditional human security lens, armed drones have been nothing short of a disaster in protecting civilians and reducing collateral damage. The tactical advantages they lend users are some of their most …

American-European Alignment: An Assessment Of Economic And Security Factors Impacting The Relationship Between The United States And Europe Since Wwii, Peter Nicholas Gianaris

CMC Senior Theses

The United States and Europe have had a relationship that has constantly augmented during the past 80 years. The extent of this change has depended on a number of factors including security and economics. This paper seeks to analyze the relationship between the United States and Europe throughout the Cold War, following the Cold War, and in the wake of Russia’s current invasion of Ukraine. It will view the partnership through a security and economic lens and seek to determine how much both factors impact the relationship and in what way each factor has impacted the relationship. It will also …

For Richer Or Poorer: The Warren Court's Relationship To Socioeconomic Class, Nicole Jonassen

CMC Senior Theses

The U.S. Constitution does not enshrine socioeconomic rights. Why does this matter? Many argue that socioeconomic rights have value in and of themselves because they secure certain minimum conditions of human dignity, but socioeconomic rights also have instrumental value because abject material deprivation often makes traditional political and civil rights meaningless. In this thesis, I explore the relationship between U.S. constitutional law and socioeconomic rights through an analysis of the Warren Court’s decisions regarding socioeconomic class. In Chapter 1, I present existing literature on socioeconomic rights, socioeconomic rights in the American context, and what many scholars see as the Warren …

The Trilateral Challenge: The Impact Of Russian And Chinese Nuclear Threats On U.S. Strategy, Catherine Murphy

CMC Senior Theses

The article explores the United States’ nuclear deterrence strategy in the context of rising nuclear threats from Russia and China. The U.S. arsenal has 1,770 deployed warheads across intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and bombers. A posture set by the presidential administration continues to reject a No First Use policy, focusing on modernization and renewed arms control with Russia and China. Russia, with 1,674 deployed warheads, suspended the New START Treaty following its invasion of Ukraine. China’s secretive nuclear program estimates 500 warheads, projecting growth and emphasizing its ICBM stockpile. The China-Russia partnership poses a significant risk …

List Of Abbreviations

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

No abstract provided.

Foreword

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

No abstract provided.

It’S Not About Success. It’S About The Message. Elite Messaging And Xenophobic Hate Crimes In The Eu, Annemarie Ackerman

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

Through the past decade, far-right political parties have skyrocketed in popularity and electoral success across the globe, with an especially pronounced effect seen in Europe. One critical component of far-right political movements is nationalist sentiment, often expressed via racist or xenophobic policies and rhetoric. This paper seeks to investigate how electoral success of far-right political parties and elite messaging via policy stances of these parties impacts rates of xenophobic violence in a country. Using data from the Chapel Hill Expert Survey (CHES) and hate crime statistics from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), it is shown that …

Getting Youth On The Streets: Accounting For Levels Of Youth Mobilization Among International Climate Organizations, Sara E. Anderson

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

Youth, many of whom are not given the voice or the opportunity to collaborate with political institutions, often turn towards climate movements to make an impact on the climate. Through a series of interviews in the United Kingdom and supporting secondary research, this paper offers a formal overview of factors that contribute to youth mobilization. These factors include type of protest, community, and leadership, in addition to narrative building and media engagement with the movement. By assessing the mechanisms behind youth mobilization, movements can establish how to better attract youth.

Table Of Contents

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

No abstract provided.

Putting Bilateral Aid Where Their Mouths Are: Evaluating Democratic Coalition Commitment In The Russo-Ukrainian War, Alexander A. Aghdaei

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

The European Union (EU)’s response to the 2022 outbreak of open armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine is a notable example of democratic coalition involvement— where several democracies elect to involve themselves (either directly or indirectly) in conflict as part of a multinational force. However, in terms of aid as a percentage of GDP, there are significant variations in bilateral commitments. This article accounts for the difference in coalition commitment between EU states by evaluating a set of conditions across different phases of the conflict. Pulling from notable literature using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) to explain variances in coalition behavior, …

The Path To Eu Candidacy: Moldova-Eu Relations After The Fall Of The Soviet Union, Diana V. Braghiș

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

Following the fall of the Soviet Union, the newly independent Republic of Moldova has been undergoing a process of democratization and Europeanization. This paper investigates the close relationship between Moldova and the European Union after 1991 to demonstrate the steps the country had undertaken to become a candidate member in June 2022. We explore the history of creation of Moldova, particularly the shift from communism to liberal democracy. We then transition to trade as a facilitator of close diplomatic relations. Finally, we look into the obstacles to EU accession the country has yet to overcome: its conflict with the Transnistrian …

Viktor Orbán: The Eu’S Biggest Bully, Zoë Brockenbrough

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

The purpose of this paper is to show how Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary, as a leader of EU member state, has damaged the EU’s normative power and exposed preexisting flaws within the EU system of governance. In my paper, I delve into how Orbán has impacted EU foreign policy in recent years, becoming the EU’s “problem child” regarding several current issues. Additionally, I argue that he has helped embolden other EU countries in their illiberalism. I provide analysis for each of these cases to support my main argument that Orbán damages the EU’s normative power. In the final …

The Family And The Nation: The Centrality Of Gender Politics In The Rise Of European Illiberalism, Julia E. Hall

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

This paper analyzes how illiberal far-right parties employ discourses of traditional family values to advocate a range of anti-feminist, anti-queer, and anti-sexual education stances that have become critical in European national politics. Illiberal politicians use the concept of "traditional family" to reassert heteronormative ideas of gender and sexuality that advance their majoritarian, nationalist, and anti-pluralist platforms while infringing on the rights and freedoms of gender and sexual minorities. I explore three realms where this family-centered rhetoric presents itself in policy and political movements—gender roles and reproduction, LGBTQ+ rights, and sexual education—and analyze relevant actors, movements, and policies demonstrating the central …

Dutch Euroscepticism: The Manifestation Of Pre-Financial Crisis Fears In Post- Financial Crisis Politics And Voting Patterns, Shiloh A. Harrill

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

This paper seeks to explain the recent rise in Dutch Euroscepticism, especially in the wake of the Great Recession and the Euro Crisis. The rise of Eurosceptic sentiment reflects more than just a “left-” versus “right-wing” political divide in Dutch politics; rather, it signals an increasingly prevalent divide between pro-EU and anti-EU voters and policies. Though Eurosceptic sentiment already existed in Dutch politics at the beginning of the 21st century, this paper argues that the financial crises of the 2000s played a major role in the significant rise of Eurosceptic sentiment and rhetoric in Dutch politics. The Great Recession and …

Press Freedom Under Threat In Europe: Slapps And Democracy, Maya Oleary-Cyr

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

This paper critically examines the legal systems of European countries and their relationship to press freedom, particularly the vexatious legal threats used by government officials and corporations to silence journalists. These legal threats are known as SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation) and their use has increased exponentially in the last decade. Although the issue is global, this research analyzes the issue through the lens of Greece, Italy, and Hungary. As member states, each one of these countries has an obligation to uphold the democratic standards put forth by the EU. Journalists are a vital aspect of the democratic process …

Die Deutsche Elf: The German National Football Team And Multicultural Integration In The Twenty-First Century, Harriet R. Sanders

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

Since the end of World War II, football in its institutionally organized forms has provided German citizens with a means of reconstructing national identity in a way that is considered politically “safe” in light of the country’s fascist past. As the sport and the culture surrounding it are normally viewed as an apolitical realm, the feedback effects from football on society have been under-researched and widely under-acknowledged, particularly in relation to discrimination in football and the repercussions it may have on society at large. This paper uses primary survey and sociological data, empirical data, a selection of secondary literature which …

The Future Of Françafrique: Neocolonialism In Africa And The War On Terror, Jovan Avila, Brennan G. Quinn

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

Françafrique refers to the complex system of political, economic, and military relationships between France and its former colonies in Africa, characterized by neocolonialism, paternalism, and corruption. This paper aims to analyze the history and future of French geopolitical activity in Africa, including its motivations, strategies, and impacts. We first establish the background of France’s complex relationship with Africa, beginning with French colonialism in the region and decolonization. Next, we look at the period of close ties France maintained with most of its former colonies in Africa throughout the late 1900s. Additionally, we discuss the effects on French and American geopolitical …

Bruce Maddy-Weitzman, Amazigh Politics In The Wake Of The Arab Spring, Paul A. Silverstein

Journal of Amazigh Studies

N/A

Mouloud Mammeri Dans La Bataille D’Alger, Hend Sadi

Journal of Amazigh Studies

On ignore à quel point Mouloud Mammeri fut engagé dans le combat nationaliste pendant la Bataille d’Alger. Cet épisode est ici retracé en exploitant diverses sources dont un témoignage de son jeune cousin Gana Mammeri et des lettres inédites de l’écrivain écrites dans la clandestinité. L’examen de son itinéraire, l’analyse de sa production en tant que journaliste, romancier et intellectuel dans la confrontation au discours colonial et dans le débat interne au FLN, complètent les matériaux utilisés dans l’article. Replacées dans une perspective historique, ces données permettent de positionner Mouloud Mammeri dans le combat nationaliste et de comprendre l’hostilité ontologique …

Divine Democracy: Examining The Intersection Of Religion And Politics In Civil Religion, José Andrés Serrano

CGU Theses & Dissertations

This thesis seeks to build upon and provide a new interpretation of civil religion in the United States. In it, the history of civil religion from the 1960s, starting with Bellah, to the 2010s will be analyzed for any themes still used in the 2020s. Similarly, understanding what a religion is within this time frame will be broken apart and examined to see how it paralleled the evolution of political understanding. Building upon its history, the paper will break into four prominent chapters: Is American Democracy Like a Civil Religion?, Religious Characteristics in the American Government, American Democracy as a …

Factors That Enable Or Hinder The Transition Of Some Gulf Cooperation Council (Gcc) Countries To Green Energy, Verkine Keukpanossian

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries continue to play a strategic role in the global energy system. They account for a fifth of the global oil production and enjoy relatively high GDP per Capita, and their economies heavily rely on oil-producing and exporting at a time when the West is pushing towards net-zero, low-carbon emissions by 2050. This study focuses on the energy sector and takes a transdisciplinary look at Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and tries to understand how these rentier monarchies that have built a solid global comparative advantage in producing and exporting oil and …

Prosecuting Rape As Genocide: An Analysis Of The Legal Framework And Challenges In International Law, Anya Syed

CMC Senior Theses

Rape can be used to annihilate, control, and humiliate populations. Mass rape can have genocidal intent. Yet, thus far, the legal definition of genocide has failed to codify rape. These severe limitations in the definition of genocide create legal impunity and impede the rehabilitation of rape survivors. This failure also results in legal challenges, including the lack of basis to distinguish between rape during war and genocide. This paper seeks to provide readers with sufficient background to understand the legal challenges currently preventing the prosecution of rape as genocide. After presenting this information, the paper details past courts that have …

The Impact Of Development Aid On Human Development, Lauren Candia Shaffer

CGU Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation examines the relationship between development aid and human development in recipient countries. The primary function of this research is to determine which types of aid are most effective in improving human development. To accomplish this goal, I use a fixed effects regression analysis to examine the following aid types in individual chapters of the dissertation: Total Aid, Donor-specific aid, Sectoral Aid, Conditional Aid, and aid flowing from Multilateral, Bilateral, and Private sources. This analysis produced mixed results, indicating that some types of aid have a positive and significant impact on human development, some have a negative and significant …

Forms Of Amusement: Rousseau’S Lettre À D’Alembert And Julie, Trevor Mark Shunk

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a philosopher who cared about nonphilosophers. He intervened in circumstances where he saw nonphilosophers in danger, such as with the Lettre à d’Alembert , and he wrote enchanting stories for them, such as Julie . His overarching concern in these books was what he perceived as a loss of virtue or virtue undermined by contemporary trends in the theater and in the literary world. His writings were radical in their originality: the Lettre à d’Alembert condemned popular spectacles and Julie departed from the norm for novels. Rousseau denounced other philosophers for irresponsibility among nonphilosophers in relation to …

An Empirical Study: Evaluating The Impact Of Economic, Human Resource, And Governance Factors To Foreign Direct Investment, Yuan-Yuan Lee

CGU Theses & Dissertations

The economic crisis in 2008 prompted the restructuring of the world economic and trade patterns. The global supply chain began to restructure, and international investment presented more diversified features. The COVID-19 Pandemic brings a new global economic crisis. which is likely to negatively impact many businesses that rely heavily on the Chinese market. Quarantine policies have forced people to stay at home, reducing public connectivity and leading to a slowdown in economic growth. The outbreak has also caused companies and factories to pause operations, affecting trade, travel, and consumption. International investors are increasingly concerned about economic uncertainties, which highlights the …

The Impact Of Education On Reducing Poverty In South Asia, Rooppreet Kaur Sohal-Bagri

CGU Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation examines the relationship between primary, secondary education attainment and poverty in South Asia. The countries of examination include India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Maldives. The primary function of this research is to determine if primary and secondary education attainment of peoples has an impact on being associated with reducing poverty. To accomplish and to test this goal, I have used fixed effects regression analysis to examine the following research questions: Does education expansion (primary, secondary) reduce poverty in South Asia? Does education expansion (primary, secondary) reduce poverty for women in South Asia? This first …

The Legacies Of Exclusion: Asian Americans And The California Voting Rights Act, Melinda Ximen

CMC Senior Theses

A quiet revolution has spread throughout California. Since the California Voting Rights Act became law in 2001, 170 cities have transitioned from at-large to by-district elections, where voters in a geographic district elect one city council member. This thesis evaluates the effectiveness of the California Voting Rights Act on Asian American political participation and representation in local elections.

I begin by tracing the roots of discrimination against Asian immigrants and exploring the construction of the pan-Asian identity. I examine the legacies of exclusion on Asian political participation and representation in political offices. I analyze Section 2 of the Voting Rights …

The Implications Of Natural Gas And Oil Dependence On Nuclear Proliferation Efforts: A Case Study Of The 1970s Energy Crisis And The Beginning Of Opec’S Nuclear Ambitions., Luca Amrit Khalsa

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis examines the effects of the 1970s Energy Crisis on nuclear proliferation efforts in the Persian Gulf region. The OPEC oil embargo of 1973 shocked global energy markets and forced the Atlantic Alliance to fragment and engage in continuous cut-throat bilateral deals with oil-producing countries. What started as oil-for-arms deals quickly transitioned into oil-for-nuclear reactor deals once countries struggled to find new ways to remain competitive in the trade market. When France initiated the first transfer of nuclear infrastructure to Iran, the morality taboo of trading nuclear secrets dissipated. Countries were now encouraged to engage in their own nuclear …