Political Science Commons^™

The Advanced Technology Program, Wendy H. Schacht

Congressional Research Service Reports

The Advanced Technology Program (ATP) was created by P.L. 100-418, the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, to encourage public-private cooperation in the development of pre-competitive technologies with broad application across industries. Administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a laboratory of the Department of Commerce, this activity has been targeted for elimination as a means to cut federal spending. Since FY2000, the original Housepassed appropriation bills have not included funding for ATP. Many of the Administration’s budget requests have proposed termination of the program. However, ATP continues to be supported, although at levels below that …

Science, Engineering, And Mathematics Education: Status And Issues, Christine M. Matthews

Congressional Research Service Reports

An important aspect of U.S. efforts to maintain and improve economic competitiveness is the existence of a capable scientific and technological workforce. A major concern of the 110th Congress may be regarding the future ability of the U.S. science and engineering base to generate the technological advances needed to maintain economic growth. Discussions have centered on the quality of science and mathematics education and training and on the scientific knowledge of those students entering other disciplines. Even students pursuing nonscientific and nonmathematical specialities are likely to require basic knowledge of scientific and technological applications for effective participation in the workforce. …

Pesticide Use And Water Quality: Are The Laws Complementary Or In Conflict?, Claudia Copeland

Congressional Research Service Reports

This report provides background on the emerging conflict over interpretation and implementation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA). For the more than 30 years since they were enacted, there has been little apparent conflict between them. But their relationship has recently been challenged in several arenas, including the federal courts and regulatory proceedings of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In this report, a brief discussion of the two laws is followed by a review of the major litigation of interest. EPA’s efforts to clarify its policy in this area, including a …

Stem Cell Research: Federal Research Funding And Oversight, Judith A. Johnson, Erin D. Williams

Congressional Research Service Reports

Embryonic stem cells have the ability to develop into virtually any cell in the body, and they may have the potential to treat medical conditions such as diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. In August 2001, President Bush announced that for the first time, federal funds would be used to support research on human embryonic stem cells, but funding would be limited to “existing stem cell lines.” NIH has established a registry of 78 human embryonic stem cell lines that are eligible for use in federally funded research, but only 21 cell lines are currently available. Scientists are concerned about the quality …

Climate Change: Science And Policy Implications, Jane A. Leggett

Congressional Research Service Reports

Almost all scientists agree that the Earth’s climate is changing, having warmed by 0.6 to 0.9° Celsius (1.1 to 1.6° Fahrenheit) since the Industrial Revolution. Science indicates that the Earth’s global average temperature is now approaching, or possibly has passed, the warmest experienced since human civilizations began to flourish about 12,000 years ago. During the 20th Century, some areas became wetter while others experienced more drought. Most climate scientists conclude that humans have induced a large part of the climate change since the 1970s. Although natural forces such as solar irradiance and volcanoes contribute to variability, scientists cannot explain the …

Land Exchanges: Bureau Of Land Management Process And Issues, Carol Hardy Vincent

Congressional Research Service Reports

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) typically completes dozens of exchanges a year to acquire and dispose of land. The land exchange process generally has five phases: development of an exchange proposal, feasibility evaluation, processing and documentation (including appraisal), decision analysis and approval, and title transfer. Land exchanges have been controversial periodically, with concerns regarding the benefits to the public, determinations of market value, and contradictions in policies and procedures. In response, BLM has implemented changes to the appraisal and exchange processes. There remains a difference of opinion on the usefulness of land exchanges.

The Politic 2007 Winter, The Politic, Inc.

The Politic

No abstract provided.

Rights And Health: Democracy's Dilemma In The United States, John W. Seavey, Robert J. Mcgrath

The University Dialogue

No abstract provided.

Constitution Week, University Of South Alabama

Constitution

Bibliography and photographs of a display of government documents from the University of South Alabama.

Are You Voting For Democracy?, Andrew Long

The University Dialogue

No abstract provided.

Freedom And Svoboda: What Does Freedom Mean, Andrew D. Mckernan

The University Dialogue

No abstract provided.

Equality News (Winter 2007), Matthew R. Dubois

Equality news / EqualityMaine (2004-2008)

No abstract provided.

Register And Vote, Poplar Creek Public Library

Elections/Voting

Bibliography and photographs of a display of government documents from Poplar Creek Public Library, Illinois.

Constitution Day, Southwest Minnesota State University

Constitution

Bibliography and photographs of a display of government documents from Southwest Minnesota State University.

Who Wins When The Majority Rules?, Marla Brettschneider

The University Dialogue

No abstract provided.

Democracy And Capitalism: Oil And Water?, Nick Smith

The University Dialogue

No abstract provided.

What Is Democratic Education?, David R. Hiley

The University Dialogue

No abstract provided.

Celebrate The U.S. Constitution Day, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania

Constitution

Photographs of a display of government documents from Shippensburg University, Pennsylvania.

Constitution Day, Albion College

Constitution

Photograph of a display of government documents from Albion College, Michigan.

Executive Branch, Lacrosse Public Library

Democracy/Government

Bibliography and photograph of a display of government documents from LaCrosse Public Library, Wisconsin.

Documents And Symbols Of Our Democracy, St. Mary's University, Texas

Democracy/Government

Bibliography and photographs of a display of government documents from St. Mary's University, Texas.

“The Rise Of American Democracy: Jefferson To Lincoln” By Sean Wilentz, Cedric De Leon

Sociology & Anthropology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

"That Dog Don't Hunt": Persuasive Language And Imagery In An Nra Advertisement, James Whittle

Undergraduate Review

No abstract provided.

The Suits That Counted: The Judicialization Of Presidential Elections, Charles Anthony Smith, Christopher Shortell

Political Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The litigation resolving the 2000 election received extensive attention, but there was also an increase in pre-election litigation in 2000, suggesting an increased reliance on courts even prior to Bush v. Gore. Did this trend of judicialization of presidential elections in the United States accelerate in 2004? To answer this question, we collect data on pre-election litigation from 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004. Our findings show that the rate of prospective litigation increased dramatically in the 2004 election, even accounting for state and federal electoral reform from 2001-2004. Beyond the increase in raw numbers, we find that the litigation was …

Religion, Politics, And Sugar: The Mormon Church, The Federal Government, And The Utah-Idaho Sugar Company, 1907 To 1921, Matthew C. Godfrey

All USU Press Publications

One famous target of Progressive Era attempts to rein in monopolistic big business was the eastern Sugar Trust. Less known is how federal regulators also tried to break monopoly control over beet sugar in the West by going after the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company, a business supported and controlled by the Latter-day Saints church and run by Mormon authorities. As sugar beet agriculture boomed, the Mormon church's involvement led directly to monopolistic practices by Utah-Idaho Sugar and to federal investigations. Church leaders encouraged members, a majority population in much of the intermountain West, to patronize the company exclusively, as suppliers and …

Madame Chair, Jean Miles Westwood

All USU Press Publications

The late Jean Westwood called herself an unintentional pioneer. She did not actively seek or expect to reach what was arguably the most powerful political position any American woman had ever held, chair of the Democratic National Committee. A Utah national committeewoman who time and again had demonstrated her ability to organize effectively and campaign hard, as well as her devotion to reform, Westwood answered George McGovern's call to lead his presidential campaign. In the dramatic year of 1972, she became the first woman to chair a national political party, McGovern lost in a landslide, Nixon was reelected, and a …

Constitution Day, University Of Cincinnati - Main Campus

Constitution

Bibliography and photographs of a display of government documents from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio.

United States Foreign Policy: Liberty And Security?, Jessi Schimmel

Human Rights & Human Welfare

Prior to September 11, 2001, the United States had the reputation of being a leader in the field of human rights. As information of torture and abuse in Abu Ghraib, Guantánamo Bay, and secret CIA detention centers has surfaced, however, the image of America has changed from human rights champion to that of violator. In large part, the international community of scholars and activists has come to deride the foreign policy of the United States as misguided and out of balance with the threats the country faces. However, there are also plenty of outspoken defenders who believe that the tactics …

Fuel Ethanol: Background And Public Policy Issues, Brent D. Yacobucci

Congressional Research Service Reports

Ethanol plays a key role in policy discussions about energy, agriculture, taxes, and the environment. In the United States it is mostly made from corn; in other countries it is often made from cane sugar. Fuel ethanol is generally blended in gasoline to reduce emissions, increase octane, and extend gasoline stocks. Recent high oil and gasoline prices have led to increased interest in alternatives to petroleum fuels for transportation. Further, concerns over climate change have raised interest in developing fuels with lower fuel-cycle greenhouse-gas emissions.

Supporters of ethanol argue that its use can lead to lower emissions of toxic and …

Background And Legal Issues Related To Stem Cell Research, Jon O. Shimabukuro

Congressional Research Service Reports

In August 2001, President Bush announced that federal funds, with certain restrictions, may be used to conduct research on human embryonic stem cells. Federal research is limited to “the more than 60” existing stem cell lines that were derived (1) with the informed consent of the donors; (2) from excess embryos created solely for reproductive purposes; and (3) without any financial inducements to the donors. No federal funds may be used for the derivation or use of stem cell lines derived from newly destroyed embryos; the creation of any human embryos for research purposes; or cloning of human embryos for …