Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Voting For Secular Parties In The Middle East: Evidence From The 2014 General Elections In Post-Revolutionary Tunisia, H. Ege Ozen

Publications and Research

Arab uprisings paved the way for democratic elections in the Middle East and

North Africa region. Yet countries in this region, except for Tunisia, were not

able to maintain further democratization. Tunisia, regardless of economic

turbulence and security problems, managed to hold its second parliamentary

elections in October 2014, and Ennahda, the party of the popular Islamist

movement, could not keep mass support. A large number of studies have

examined the rise of the Islamist parties as their electoral success in the post-

Arab Uprisings elections by focusing on their organizational strength as well

as their social services. However, the …

The 2018 Mid-Term Election: Estimated Voter Participation Rates By Race And Age In Arizona, Florida, Georgia And Texas, Laird W. Bergad

Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies

Introduction: The razor thin margins separating the Democratic and Republican candidates for senator and governor in Florida; in the Georgia governor’s race; in the senatorial election in Arizona; and the strong showing by Beto O’Rourke in the senatorial race in Texas, mask the extraordinary problems faced by the Democratic Party as it turns to the presidential election scheduled for November 2020.

Methods: This study highlights these problems by examining the turnout rates by race/ethnicity and age in Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Texas using 2017 IPUMS data with The New York Times and CNN Exit polls for each state.

Results: In …

The Intentional De-Cohesion In Deportability, Talha Issevenler

Publications and Research

A critical exploration of loss or decohesion of political agency in deportability.

Stop Disparaging Professors. They Work For A Better America, Aaron Barlow

Publications and Research

Many professors are involved, in one way or another, outside of campus but in much less incendiary activities than politics; they take seriously their roles as public intellectuals. Some actively promote the arts, others are involved with local planning, while even more work with adult education, in programs for school children and curriculum development on the local public-school level. Some even work to break down the barriers between academia and the commercial world, an unenviable but important task.

A Theory Of Participatory Budgeting Decision Making As A Form Of Empowerment, Dan Williams, Thad Calabese, Samuli Harju

Publications and Research

There is a growing literature concerning participatory budgeting (PB), which transfers some element of budgetary decision making from the executive or legislature to citizens. During the earlier years of development, this practice was found primarily in less developed countries. Early PB reoriented government expenditures to better focus on the needs of the populace. Substantial shares of the budget were allocated through participatory process (Souza, 2001). PB is alternative claimed as an example of participatory democracy and deliberative democracy. This paper considers issues related to these theories and further develops a distinctive budgetary theory of participatory budgeting.

Pol 166 The American Political System, Helen Chang

Open Educational Resources

We will study the American political system using several different approaches. First, we will look at the founding of the United States and the principles and the documents that continue to be central to debates in American politics today. Then, we will analyze how these founding principles and documents were used by opposing parties and individuals to define and distribute power in the US. These struggles include the continuing conflicts to expand and guarantee individual freedoms and to address discrimination. Looking back through American history will help us frame contemporary discussions of American political life, from voting to elections. Finally, …

Research Note: Have Puerto Ricans Experienced Increased Voter Registration Rates In Florida Since The November 2016 Presidential Election?, Laird W. Bergad

Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies

This research note analyzes the demographic change of Puerto Ricans and Hispanics in Florida combined with voter registration rates using the Florida Department of State Voter Registration Reports from July 2018. Despite both populations growing in selected counties, which in turn has increased the voter registration rates for Hispanics in the State, there is no conclusive evidence that voter registration rates among Puerto RIcans experienced a significant rise between 2016 and 2018.

Race And A Southern Governorship. Can Stacy Abrams Make History In Georgia? An Examination Of Georgia Voter Registration Lists, Voting Participation Rates, Race, And Age, Laird W. Bergad

Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies

Introduction: The nomination by Democratic voters of Stacy Abrams, an African-American woman, to run for governor of Georgia puts the state in the front lines of a possible new approach to elections by progressive Democrats across the nation. She will face the current Secretary of State, Brian Kemp who was nominated by Republican voters after using the same anti-immigrant dog whistle strategy adopted by his mentor in the White House who supported his candidacy.

Methods: All tables on registered voters in Georgia were derived from the Georgia Secretary of State, Voter Registration Statistics, Active Voters by Race and Gender as …

Can Beto O'Rourke Defeat Ted Cruz In The November 2018 Texas Senatorial Race? Race, Age, Voter Registration And Participation Rates In The Lone Star State, Laird W. Bergad

Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies

Introduction: This report studies the voter registration rates in face of the upcoming Texas Senatorial elections in November 2018.

Methods: Using the latest voter registration data by race and party in Texas and the Population Estimates of the Census Bureau, this report analyzes demographic change in the state and its relationship with the presidential elections of 2016.

Results: The Texas senatorial race between Ted Cruz and Beto O’Rourke will be decided by voter participation rates of both Republican and Democratic constituencies. Unfortunately, for O’Rourke young people between 18 and 24 years of age, African-Americans, and especially Latinos, have the lowest …

The Politics Of Race And The Florida Gubernatorial Election Of November 2018, Laird W. Bergad

Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies

Introduction: This report studies the voter registration rates in face of the new Florida Gubernatorial elections in November 2018.

Methods:Using the latest voter registration data by race and party in Florida of July 30, 2018, this report provides an accurate statistical profile of the actual registered electorate. It also utilizes the U.S. Census Bureau’s data on the presidential election of 2016 and the November 2014 mid-term election, to indicate voter participation and voting rates by race and age.

Results: While nearly 64% of eligible non-Hispanic white voters went to the polls and supported the Republican candidate for president in 2016 …

Quantitative Methods, Ahmed Elkhouly

Open Educational Resources

Quantitative Methods Syllabus

Zero Textbook Cost Syllabus For Psy 3103/Pol 3101 (Political Psychology), Nicholas Juszczak

Open Educational Resources

This course is an exploration of political behavior from a psychological perspective, with special attention devoted to selected topics. What is Political behavior and what shapes it? Is it the situation in which we find ourselves, or our internal psychological makeup such as our beliefs and values? Perhaps neurology and physiology contribute as well? We will explore political psychology from within this situational-dispositional framework. Thus, we will look at behaviorism, obedience, personality, groupthink, cognition, affect, emotions and neuroscience as they relate to topics such as voting behavior, racism, terrorism, and more!

Zero Textbook Cost Syllabus For Pol 1101 (American Government: Practices And Values), Elizabeth Stone

Open Educational Resources

This is an introductory course to the institutions, processes, and history of American government. We will review the foundational concepts and landmark debates in the development of the American political system and relate these concepts and debates to current political issues.

Civilization, Again!, Despina Lalaki

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Kang Teaches The Political Economics Of The Far East, Aldemaro Romero Jr.

Publications and Research

“All my life North and South Korea have been a divided country. Almost all young people in South Korea have to serve in the military. I felt that I needed to understand what is going on in the world—not only international relations, but political economy and social relations. I tried to figure it out, and that was the motivation. Another thing was my ignorance of international relations, especially political economy.”

That’s how Dr. Myung-koo Kang explains why he became the political economist he is today. After studying international relations at Seoul National University, he received a master’s and a doctoral …

Zero Textbook Cost Syllabus For Pol 3345 (Contemporary International Conflict), Aaron M. Zack

Open Educational Resources

The title of the course is Contemporary International Conflict; however, since significant political violence takes place within states and is conducted by non-state actors, the course will not confine itself to conflict between states. After first considering sovereignty and the parameters of violent conflict, we shall explore three subjects in particular depth: terrorism; the actual and potential impact of nuclear weapons on global conflict; and the risk of great power war between America and China. We will also discuss transnational criminal organizations.

Universal Alienation And The Real Subsumption Of Daily Life Under Capital: A Response To Hardt And Negri, David Harvey

Publications and Research

This contribution is part of a debate between Michael Hardt/Toni Negri and David Harvey on the occasion of Marx’s bicentenary (May 5, 2018). The discussion focuses on the question of what capitalism looks like today and how it can best be challenged. In this article, David Harvey responds to Hardt and Negri’s previous debate-contributions.

Building Brand Kurdistan: Helly Luv, The Gender Of Nationhood, And The War On Terror, Nicholas S. Glastonbury

Publications and Research

In the early 2000s, the Kurdistan Regional Government hired a US-based firm to begin a public relations campaign called “The Other Iraq.” Since that time, it has worked with a number of PR and lobbying firms to build a cultural, political, and financial apparatus that I refer to as Brand Kurdistan. This apparatus aims to prove to Western audiencesthat the Kurds are a liberal exception in an illiberal Middle East, and to build prospects of KRG’s eventual national independence. This article explores the connections between Brand Kurdistan and the gendering of Kurdish nationalism, focusing particularly on Kurdish pop diva Helly …

Which Wars Spread? Commitment Problems And Military Intervention, Zachary C. Shirkey

Publications and Research

This article argues that wars caused by commitment problems are more likely to experience outside military intervention than are wars with other causes. Wars caused by commitment problems are more likely to draw in outside states because they tend to be more severe and produce larger war aims. These larger stakes create both threats and opportunities for non-belligerent states thereby prompting military intervention. The greater stakes also generate incentives for belligerent states to seek outside aid. This relationship between commitment problems and intervention implies that while certain types of wars may be more likely to experience intervention, the same causes …

Advocate, Spring 2018, Vol. 29, No. 1-2, Advocate

The Advocate

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Editorial:

- On Being Late. Nandini Ramachandran (p. 3)

Features:

- Imperialism and Class Struggle in Chagos and Mauritius. Gordon Barnes (p. 8)

- The Streets Tell What the Press Hides: Disaster Capitalism in Puerto Rico. Maria Heyaca (p. 20)

- Moral Depravity, Discontent and Socialism: The Politics of the Urban Revolution. Harry Blain (p. 35)

- Neoliberalizing Childhood and Education: WeWork’s “Entrepreneurial” Schools. Hillary Donnell (p. 46)

CUNY Life:

- CUNY-Wide Conference in Defense of Immigrants Held at Grad Center. CUNY Internationalist Marxist Club (p. 52)

- A New Era. CUNY Struggle (p. 58)

- Accessing …

Turning To Political Violence: The Emergence Of Terrorism By Marc Sageman (Review), Zachary C. Shirkey

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Advocate, Spring 2018, Vol. 29, No. 3-4, Advocate

The Advocate

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Editorial:

- Revolution and CUNY: Remembering the 1969 Fight for Open Admissions. Bhargav Rani (p. 3)

Features:

- The Power and Political Potentials of Images. Zehra Husain (p. 8)

- Ethnography as Espionage: An Interview with Katherine Verdery. Nicholas Glastonbury (p. 14)

- Neoliberal Fictions. Nandini Ramachandran (p. 27)

Debate:

- Settler Marxism and the Murdered and Missing Revolutionary Actors. Sean M. Kennedy (p. 38)

Technology and Politics:

- Unmasking Musk: Envisioning HyperCapitalist Futures. Hillary Donnell (p. 44)

- Salami Tacticals: Little Nukes — No Big Deal? Clifford D. Conner (p. 58)

CUNY Life:

- The Campaign …

The Prometheus Bomb: The Manhattan Project And Government In The Dark By Neil J. Sullivan, Peter Parides

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Introduction: The Puzzle Of War Duration, Zachary C. Shirkey

Publications and Research

Why do wars last as long as they do? Why do some rage for years, while others last only a few months or days? This piece introduces a symposium that addresses that question from rationalist, psychological, neurological, and domestic politics perspectives. The symposium also considers the challenges of researching war duration and the implications of understanding war duration on theories of war in general.

Challenges To The Study Of Long Wars, Zachary C. Shirkey

Publications and Research

Rationalist, psychological, and domestic politics approaches have all generated internally consistent, plausible explanations for long wars. But sorting out which of these explanations is most valid is quite difficult, because definitional questions bedevil the study of war duration, and more importantly, because it is very hard to evaluate the evidence for competing explanations of war duration. The latter difficulty arises for three reasons. First, many state behaviors are consistent with multiple, competing explanations of long wars. Second, in most states, multiple people play important roles in crafting foreign policies, meaning different leaders may have different primary motives for continuing a …

Opening Up To Oers: Electronic Original Sourcebook Vs. Traditional Textbook In The Introduction To American Government Course, Shawna M. Brandle

Publications and Research

Traditional American Government textbooks are expensive and often unpopular with students. New technologies and Open Educational Resources (OERs) open up the potential for change, but questions of quality are ever present: can OERs really help students learn better, or are they just cheaper? I developed an OER based on original sources and compared student learning outcomes with the OER section to those in a free digital textbook section. While the OER I created did not work as well as I had hoped, I nonetheless developed a redesign of my course and my approach to teaching, which is the true benefit …

Predicting The Next Us President By Simulating The Electoral College, Boyan Kostadinov

Publications and Research

We develop a simulation model for predicting the outcome of the US Presidential election based on simulating the distribution of the Electoral College. The simulation model has two parts: (a) estimating the probabilities for a given candidate to win each state and DC, based on state polls, and (b) estimating the probability that a given candidate will win at least 270 electoral votes, and thus win the White House. All simulations are coded using the high-level, open-source programming language R. One of the goals of this paper is to promote computational thinking in any STEM field by illustrating how probabilistic …

Zero Textbook Cost Syllabus For Plsc 2001 (The U.S. In The Age Of Globalization), Anh Tran

Open Educational Resources

How does globalization shape U.S. politics and society today? How does the U.S., in turn, steer the course of globalization throughout the rest of world? In this class, we seek answers to these broader questions through in-depth explorations of the nexus between globalization and security, identity, trade, migration, protest, and other pressing contemporary issues. We will survey mainstream and marginalized debates on globalization and evaluate their logics, assumptions, and empirical merits. We will situate processes of globalization in their national- historical and global-historical contexts, examining how globalization has evolved over time and in different spaces. Most importantly, we will assess …

Not Waiting For Washington: Climate Policy Adoption In California And New York, Roger Karapin

Publications and Research

In the absence of strong U.S. national climate change policy, California and New York, among other states, adopted relatively comprehensive and ambitious policies to cut greenhouse gas emissions during the 2000s. They adopted these policies despite political-institutional and other structural barriers similar to those found nationally, which shows that political actors have significant scope for taking effective action even under structural constraints. This article explains the adoption of climate policies in these two leading states by using a windows of opportunity approach, which analyzes how the convergence of problem and political events produces policy windows and hence opportunities for advocacy …

Media Coverage Of Human Rights In The Us And Uk: The Violations Still Won’T Be Televised (Or Published), Shawna M. Brandle

Publications and Research

This article analyzes American television and American and British print news coverage of human rights using a combination of manual and machine coding. The data reveal that television and print news cover very few human rights stories, that these stories are mostly international and not domestic, that even when human rights are covered, they are not covered in detail, and that human rights issues are more likely to be covered when they are not framed as human rights. This suggests that human rights is simply not a frame that journalists employ, and provides support for government-leading-media theories of newsworthiness.