Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Female Electoral Success In State Legislative Races: A Case Study Review Of Gender Influence On Incumbency, Fundraising, Recruitment, And Policy, Izzy Baughn

Honors Theses

Since the beginning of recorded history, female representation in elective office has been drastically lower than that of the U.S. population. Over the years, there have been many records set for women in office, including the 28% of the 118th Congress represented by women. Considering both chambers of Congress, the House and the Senate, women account for 153 of the 540 seats of the body. This number marks a record high, demonstrating commitment and strength in numbers by women in politics. While 28% female is still a small number in comparison to the amount of women accounted for in the …

Women In The U.S. Congress: A Study On The Role Of Gender In Electoral And Legislative Processes, Selby Tucker

Honors Theses

Using a three-part methodology, I examined women in Congress by studying their campaign finances, bill sponsorships, electoral history, and personal testaments to draw conclusions about the ability of a woman to fairly participate in the legislative process.

Modern American Federalism: Defending A Dualist Approach To State-Federal Government Relations, Julia E. Williams

Honors Theses

One of the greatest tenets of what American founders called this "experiment in democracy" is the Constitutional standard of federalism. Those in the Continental Congress labored over the proper relationship of a people to its government and, thus, the proper size of government that this relationship implies.

The tyranny from which the young republic sought independence just thirteen years before the drafting of the Constitution was a pervasive and seemingly omniscient one. The hand of the British Crown into the affairs of the common man was an instrument of autocratic control, rather than that of guiding protection. According to Constitutional …

Ticket Splitting In Arkansas Elections, Chase Carmichael

Honors Theses

The Republican Party is sweeping the South, or is it? Throughout the Old South Republicans have been making gains in an area that has traditionally been a bastion of Democratic strength in American politics. While Arkansas may appear to be following this trend, in reality GOP gains in the Natural State may be only superficial. Despite strong showings by Republican candidates for higher offices in Arkansas, a GOP contender has yet to win a statewide office past the Lieutenant Governor's race.

This research paper examines "ticket splitting" in Arkansas elections. Ticket splitting is the practice of voting for candidates of …

A Tale Of Two Governors: The 1996 Gubernatorial Succession Crisis, Melissa Miller

Honors Theses

The state of Arkansas is no stranger to succession crises. As early as the Reconstruction era, struggles for power emerged, and controversies surrounding the appropriate use of power among acting governors have kept the issue unsettled. One such instance, the Arkansas gubernatorial succession crisis of 1996 became yet another episode in this saga. While never fully examined, the succession crisis did influence modern politics in the state. There are two sides to every story: "Well, I wanted to let you know I've decided not to resign," Jim Guy Tucker said to Mike Huckabee only five minutes before the inauguration of …

An Assessment Of The 2000 Fourth Congressional District Race, Amber E. Wilson

Honors Theses

Prior to the November 7 election, incumbent Republican Jay Dickey aspired to maintain his eight-year hold on the fourth congressional district seat, while challenger, Mike Ross, a Democratic State Senator, had high hopes for a partisan restoration. In the end, Ross upset the incumbent carrying 51 percent of the 212,160 votes cast, a narrow 4, 126-vote margin. This paper assesses the strategic, tactical, and fiscal factors contributing to Ross's success in overriding incumbency advantages and reclaiming the seat for the Democrats. More specifically, it compares and contrasts candidate and noncandidate communications. Indeed, communication was the key component to these coordinated …

Presidential Popularity And The Linear Model, April Gosser

Honors Theses

Since the 1970's, much research has been done in an attempt to determine variables that cause decline of the president's popularity. Although there are different studies that give various reasons for the decline of the president's popularity, all agree that there is a trend of decline over the president's term. To represent the decline, James Stimson suggested a parabola model, whereas John Mueller suggested a linear-regression model. This paper attempts to show that a linear-regression model is more effective in explaining decline of the presidents from Truman to Johnson, than from Nixon to Bush. The findings show that a linear …

The Structure Of The Presidential Selection Process, Myra Conaway

Honors Theses

The Presidency is a unique institution. No other political office in America is viewed with such awe, respect, criticism and contempt. The President must be all things to all people. He must be a leader, a ruler and a diplomat. His decisions and policies affect many Americans. Due to the significance of the office, time and consideration should be given to the method by which the President is elected. The intent of this study is to examine the structure of the presidential selection process from the nomination campaign through the general election. Also included are brief biographies of the 1984 …

William Jennings Bryan: "Among Friends" In Arkansas, C. J. Hall

Honors Theses

Campaign style has changed dramatically since the turn of the century when William Jennings Bryan captured the political limelight. Bryan, a three time Democratic nominee for President, developed a new campaign tactic during the 1896 Presidential election; he continued to employ the new style for the remainder of his life. In 1896 Bryan's political organization could not compete with the well-financed Republican system, so the "Great Commoner" took his cause to the people. Presidential candidates were not supposed to actively campaign for the office, but Bryan broke the norm. After the 1896 election, Bryan continued to travel around the country …

Watergate: Its Implications, Its Dangers, Its Perpetrators, And Its Role In America's Eternal Bliss, James E. Starnes

Honors Theses

Initially, this study began as one dealing with an extremely large segment of the socio-political spectrum---change in the American system (social,political, economic) with emphasis on the political. It become quite clear to me early in my research that the study was much too broad. to be of any use, and would at most, only occupy my time. I began sifting through the voluminous collection of works on social change for ideas on how to limit my study, but only become more confused.

During the time I normally set aside for my special studies, I began reading the newspaper. It was …

A Political Survey Of Obu, John Dale Hodges

Honors Theses

The objective of this survey is to determine what effect young people, especially the new 18 to 20 year old voters will have on elections. The results of this survey are to show what type of voter the OBU student is, and what he thinks are the most important issues facing Arkansas and the nation. This survey also shows how some of the candidates are doing, and how popular they are in the eyes of' young voters.

The Causes Of Student Unrest, Sandra Lee Sawyer

Honors Theses

Protest is not a new invention of the 1960's. Protest has always been the normal apparatus to initiate change in human societies. College students can no longer be taken for granted. Though the great majority of them remain largely content, conservative, and apathetic, a determined minority of restless ones have forces other to examine and sometimes to change institutions, rules, and values that were once considered inviolate.

The Truman Election: Was 1968 A Repeat?, Cloene Biggs

Honors Theses

As election day in 1948 drew nearer, political pollsters, pros and amateurs united in predicting victory for Thomas E. Dewey. Only underdog candidate President Truman and, as it turned out, the American electorate disagreed with this consensus.

At the end of 1947 Truman was considered certain for renomination by his party, and the Gallup Poll showed that he would easily defeat either of the two leading Republicans--Governor Dewey and Senator Taft. A get-tough policy with Russia had pushed up his popularity--the Marshall Plan, his advocacy of government action to curb high prices, his confrontation with labor leader John L. Lewis …

Is The Death Penalty Dying?, Sharon Coe

Honors Theses

Now that fourteen states, almost one-third of our country, have abolished the death penalty, it is causing other states to stop and examine capital punishment and see if the extreme penalty is really the most effective penalty.