Global Studies Commons^™

Why Do We Vote?: An Analytical And Data-Centered Approach To The Impact Of Infrastructure Quality On Voter Turnout In Virginia Counties, Alex F. Broening

Araneum: Richmond Journal of American & Global Affairs

Everyday political discourse centers around the direction of voting far more than the choice to vote itself, despite low turnout rates in the United States overall, and especially in local and non-presidential elections. No existing model provides a complete explanation of the reasons and influences that cause individuals to participate in politics by casting a ballot, and the literature is especially fractured with regards to issue-specific activation of voters. This work expands on previous issue-focused studies by performing turnout analyses for Virginia counties alongside geographic analysis of infrastructure quality and access. The findings suggest that the quality of infrastructure has …

Introduction, Jackson Sandler-Bussey

Araneum: Richmond Journal of American & Global Affairs

Araneum: Richmond Journal of American & Global Affairs aspires to give a voice to the students who seek to address, through research and academia, the issues that we face as individuals, a community, a nation, and a world.

Letter From The Editors

Araneum: Richmond Journal of American & Global Affairs

It is our distinct pleasure to present to you the Fall 2024 issue of Araneum: Richmond Journal of American & Global Affairs. As the first edition of Volume II, this edition of Araneum contains scholarly work on an array of political and global issues from undergraduate students at the University of Richmond.

Araneum - Fall 2024

Araneum: Richmond Journal of American & Global Affairs

No abstract provided.

“I’M Jackson Wang From China”: Global Celebrities As China’S Messengers Of Nationalism, Keira Vogel

Araneum: Richmond Journal of American & Global Affairs

This paper examines the rise of nationalist expressions among globally recognized Chinese celebrities, such as Jackson Wang, Fan Bingbing, and Jackie Chan. Global Chinese celebrities, defined here as individuals born in China who have risen to international prominence, used to appear generally apolitical in the public eye, but can now more often be observed expressing nationalism, despite having access to uncensored information about the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In this paper, nationalism refers to expressions of pride in one’s nation, often linked to support for the government and its policies. Here, the term carries a less negative connotation than it …

The Hindu Mahasabha: How Humanitarian Relief Became An Agent Of Hindu Nationalism, Sanjna Kaul

Araneum: Richmond Journal of American & Global Affairs

Humanitarianism is deeply linked with the politics of religion, and in South Asia, it has played a vital role in the spread of Hindu nationalism. Prior to British colonialism, South Asian humanitarianism was guided by spiritual traditions of service and duty, and relief typically took the form of religious donations. The only audience of those small-scale humanitarian actions were the giver’s interpersonal community and the gods. However, with the shift to British rule, humanitarian work in the Indian subcontinent became located within the state and donned broader political motivations. Once the audience of humanitarianism also included the ruling British state, …

How To Create Feminist Policy: The 2021-2022 Chilean Constitutional Rewrite, Maria Zambrano Davila

Araneum: Richmond Journal of American & Global Affairs

Had it been approved, the 2022 Chilean Constitutional draft would have been the first Constitution in world history to be written by the same number of men and women. At the same time, it would have been one of the most progressive constitutions worldwide, guaranteeing the right to abortion; recognizing carework as an economic activity; and mandating equal representation for women in Chilean Congress, the Supreme Court, and political parties, among others. During the summer of 2022, I interviewed 12 women delegates from the 2021 - 2022 Chilean Constitutional Convention to understand the impact of gender parity in the policy …

Letter From The Editors

Araneum: Richmond Journal of American & Global Affairs

No abstract provided.

One Party Democracy: Explaining The Ldp’S Electoral Dominance In Japan, James Carroll

Araneum: Richmond Journal of American & Global Affairs

Two of the essential features of a democracy are free elections and political parties. Although frequent transitions of power between parties are common in most established democracies, one notable exception is Japan. Since its formation in 1955, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has dominated Japanese elections and politics and has ultimately shaped much of Japan’s modern history and government. With the notable exceptions of 1993-1994 and 2009-2012, the party has either been the majority party or the largest party in the governing coalition. The LDP is often described as a center-right party, although it is also accurate to describe it …

Navigating The Impact Of Great Powers Enmity On Multilateralism: Challenges And Opportunities, Tayyaba Atiq

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Multilateralism’s significance in tackling world challenges is undeniable. Its contribution post-cold war in fostering international cooperation and preventing any major war after two disastrous world wars clearly depicts the potential it holds in maintaining world stability. In addition, the rapid globalization and further digitalization resulted into the rise in shared challenges and thus stimulated the relevancy of multilateral interactions between nations in contemporary world. However, the relentless resurgence of great powers competition for influence in international affairs have made it difficult for the phenomenon to continue smoothly. Enduring rivalries between present world powers such as China, America and Russia have …

Towards Smart Cities As Innovation Systems: The Case Of Macau Sar, Yujia He

Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce Faculty Publications

Smart cities are emerging as major engines for deploying intelligent systems to enhance urban development and contribute to the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The rise of smart city initiatives is not only seen in North America and Europe but also increasingly in Asia and across the developing world which faces rapid urbanization and technological change. Home to the UNU Institute in Macau, the city of Macau is a special administrative region (SAR) of China where “the East meets the West” in local governance, economy, and society. Our research article, recently published in the Journal of Urban Affairs, …

[Preface To] Peace, Preference, And Property: Return Migration After Violent Conflict, Sandra F. Joireman

Bookshelf

Growing numbers of people are displaced by war and violent conflict. In Ukraine, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Syria, and elsewhere violence pushes civilian populations from their homes and sometimes from their countries, making them refugees. In previous decades, millions of refugees and displaced people returned to their place of origin after conflict or were resettled in countries in the Global North. Now displacements last longer, the number of people returning home is lower, and opportunities for resettlement are shrinking. More and more people spend decades in refugee camps or displaced within their own countries, raising their children away from their home …

The Surge Of Unaccompanied Minors At The U.S.-Mexico Border, Lauren Werner

Political Science Theses and Capstones

No abstract submitted.

Full Issue, Global Insight Editorial Team

Global Insight

No abstract provided.

Public Opinion, Propaganda, Conspiracy Theories, And Education: An Interview With Dr. Andrew M. Clark, Dr. Yubraj Aryal

Global Insight

Dr. Andrew M. Clark, Associate Director of the Center for Research on Teaching and Learning Excellence (CRTLE) and Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at UTA, was interviewed by Global Insight Executive Editor, Dr. Yubraj Aryal.

The Financial Facet To Sino-African Cooperation: Analyzing Potential Motivations Behind Chinese Investment In African Countries, Jacob T. Carnevale

Political Science Theses and Capstones

China’s reputation transitioned from political isolation throughout the twentieth century to international influence in the twenty-first century. We see this in the continent of Africa, especially, where multiple countries experience political and economic hardships. Today, China invests in African countries to alleviate these hardships and strengthen foreign relations. Some scholars contend that much of China’s approach to foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa stems from China’s domestic interests, while other scholars contend it is more about relationship-building. Taking note that China does both, I ask which aspect to Sino-African relations primarily motivates Chinese lending in Africa. To analyze this question, …

Polarization: A 21st Century Challenge To Global Democracy, Tim Biocic

Political Science Theses and Capstones

The purpose of this paper is to identify the issue of political polarization as it relates not only to American politics, but also to see how the issues in political polarization that exist in the United States are also experienced in other democracies around the world. The paper takes a look at what some of the different theories are about where polarization originates, who some of the leading scholars are in the debate over polarization, what institutional mechanisms contribute to the problem of polarization, and then finally what polarization looks like elsewhere in the world.

When it comes to the …

The Feasibility Of Containerization In The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System, Nick Edwards

Political Science Theses and Capstones

The use of waterways to transport goods has always been a staple of civilization dating back to some of our earliest days. And throughout history it has always played a pivotal role in our economies and affected the very way in which our civilizations developed. Perhaps one of the world's most important waterways is the Great Lakes that lie directly in the heart of the North American continent and connect the heartland of North America to the Atlantic Ocean. Thus, providing a vital mode of transportation for shipping a variety of products from North America’s heartland to the rest of …

Full Issue, Global Insight Editorial Team

Global Insight

No abstract provided.

Making A World After Empire : The Bandung Moment And Its Political Afterlives, Christopher J. Lee

Ohio University Press Open Access Books

In April 1955, twenty-nine countries from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East came together for a diplomatic conference in Bandung, Indonesia, intending to define the direction of the postcolonial world. Ostensibly representing two-thirds of the world’s population, the Bandung conference occurred during a key moment of transition in the mid-twentieth century—amid the global wave of decolonization that took place after the Second World War and the nascent establishment of a new Cold War world order in its wake. Participants such as Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Zhou Enlai of China, and Sukarno of Indonesia seized this …

Connecting The Emerging Markets: China’S Growing Role In Global Digital Infrastructure, Yujia He

Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce Faculty Publications

Rising demand for international communications drive cable capacity growth, yet financing and political risks remain major obstacles. Chinese investments help finance cable systems in multiple emerging market regions. Emerging economies need to develop robust domestic regulations and international coordination to reduce political risks, protect cable infrastructure, and manage cyber risks.

Evaluating Theories On Income Polarization In The U.S., Jocelyn Anderson

Political Science Theses and Capstones

This paper examines the relationship between technological change and income polarization within the United States. I examine and discuss the reshaping of the U.S. labor market via skill- biased technological change, possible effects of globalization, as well as institutional policies. My research also explored how aspects of corporate structure norms, and tax avoidance could be causes for increased income polarization related to top tier incomes. Using current literature and data to consider the top causes of an increasingly widening wage gap, one can see that advancements in technology and the changes it has had on the labor market, as well …

The Trade-Security Nexus And U.S. Policy Making In Critical Minerals, Yujia He

Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce Faculty Publications

The United States increasingly relies on import to meet its demand for critical minerals. Using the case of rare earth elements (REEs), this paper analyzes the conditions and the strategies for the U.S. government to address import dependence. The paper finds that market factors, including the lack of comparable and sufficient substitutes and recycling, the high ratio of import relative to consumption, the high concentration of import supply by country, and regulations from the major supplier country, were insufficient to prompt intervention. Significant policy action only occurs when changing circumstances turn import dependence into perceived national security threats to the …

There’S Nowhere To Hide: Artificial Intelligence And Privacy In The Fourth Industrial Revolution, Sarah Denton, Eleonore Pauwels, Yujia He, Walter G. Johnson

Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce Faculty Publications

At its core, artificial intelligence (AI) optimizes data. Machine-learning algorithms, one component of AI, are trained using massive datasets curated by humans to predict various aspects of our daily lives. Such predictive intelligence could be a positive force amplified by continued decentralization of the technology. Or, ubiquitous cognition and surveillance could be a disruptive force amplified by the unregulated proliferation of AI technologies. Yet, though we will certainly see more and more AI systems being integrated into every facet of our infrastructures, homes, and bodies, the proliferation of AI technology isn’t the problem. A privacy-security quagmire arises from the interconnectivity …

Following The Ball : The Migration Of African Soccer Players Across The Portuguese Colonial Empire, 1949–1975, Todd Cleveland

Ohio University Press Open Access Books

With Following the Ball, Todd Cleveland incorporates labor, sport, diasporic, and imperial history to examine the extraordinary experiences of African football players from Portugal’s African colonies as they relocated to the metropole from 1949 until the conclusion of the colonial era in 1975. The backdrop was Portugal’s increasingly embattled Estado Novo regime, and its attendant use of the players as propaganda to communicate the supposed unity of the metropole and the colonies.

Cleveland zeroes in on the ways that players, such as the great Eusébio, creatively exploited opportunities generated by shifts in the political and occupational landscapes in the waning …

American Immigration: Differing Views On The Threat From Immigrants, Carl Karpinski

Political Science Theses and Capstones

Immigration has been a hot button issue in politics across the world, especially in recent years in the United States. People’s views on immigration vary broadly among political parties and from every corner of the country. Why do people believe the things they do about immigrants? I researched this question to determine why immigration is at the forefront of American politics and how different aspects of one’s life affect his or her sentiments. Using General Social Survey data, I explored why some people feel threatened by immigrants coming to their country and others do not. Variables analyzed include income, church …

How China Is Preparing For An Ai-Powered Future, Yujia He

Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce Faculty Publications

U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) research and development (R&D) may be challenged by China’s recent and centralized policy planning aimed at rapidly developing AI-related technologies. The Chinese government supports AI as a strategic area supported by high-level policies with ambitious and quantifiable targets, inter-ministry coordination, government funding for research and development, support for workforce development, and suggestions for international collaboration and expansion. Still, as a relative latecomer in the global AI race, China faces numerous challenges to implement its policy planning, including short-term skills gap and long-term institutional constraints.

Explaining The Rise Of Isis, Anas Alqaed

Political Science Theses and Capstones

In this paper I study the circumstances that led to the rise the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS/Daesh) and its economic power. I use articles, testimonies before US House of Representatives and analyze economic data to generate facts and draw conclusions. All references rely on primary source documents that were not released in an official capacity by ISIS. These are documents that have been released online by pro or anti-ISIS activists or information that was gathered and analyzed by research centers and international organizations. It is worth noting that non-officially released documents were very helpful in shedding more …

Humanitarian Intervention: Determining The Effectiveness Of Outsourcing Humanitarian Intervention During Humanitarian Crises, Clarissa Caola

Political Science Theses and Capstones

At the end of the Cold War we witnessed a growing reluctance on part of many national powers to intervene in international crises. This unwillingness allowed for the development of Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs). PMSCs have been deployed to provide a wide variety of security-related functions including combat, logistics, training programs, and armed guarding of personnel and infrastructures. Exploring the concept of outsourcing these military functions, others have applied the idea towards addressing humanitarian crises. PMSCs may face fewer geopolitical impediments that can hinder the efforts of many state actors. In certain humanitarian crises PMSCs may better address …

Examining American Attitudes On The Use Of Military Drones, Todd Brandon

Political Science Theses and Capstones

Recent polls have revealed that Americans of both the political left and right support the use of military drones. This statement stands true among groups who traditionally do not support the use of military force. I hypothesize that people of a more liberal persuasion will be more concerned with whether or not the drone program endangers innocent civilians, while those of a more conservative view will be more concerned with the legality of conducting military drone strikes. I analyze data obtained from the Pew Research Center to examine people's attitudes on military drone strikes via framing theory. My hypothesis has …