Political Science Commons^™

The Prime Minister’S Dilemma: The Strategies For The Game Prisoner’S Dilemma Contain Useful Lessons For Those Playing The Diplomatic Game, Including Our Prime Minister, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

In her analysis using game theory's Prisoner's Dilemma, Erika Simpson explores strategic lessons for diplomacy, focusing on the Tit for Tat (TFT) strategy. TFT, which starts with cooperation and responds in kind to the opponent's previous move, proves effective in fostering stable, long-term relations. Drawing parallels with Canada's interactions with Saudi Arabia and the U.S. under Trump, Simpson argues for diplomatic approaches emphasizing reciprocity, cooperation, measured retaliation, and forgiveness. These principles, derived from game theory, suggest that in navigating international relations, strategies promoting trust and stability can mitigate conflict and enhance mutual benefit over time.

A Nordic Anomaly: Examining The Establishment Of An Anti-Immigrant Party In Sweden, Louise Paulsen

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis examines the establishment of an anti-immigrant party (AIP) in Sweden. Until recently, Sweden was known as the Nordic anomaly with no AIP in spite of high levels of immigration and high rates of right-wing violence. This has now changed, and the AIP, Sweden Democrats, are rising to popularity in high speed. I examine the causes given for the anomaly up until 2006 and show that a change in these has since created a favorable environment for an AIP to become successful. First, socio-economic cleavages have become less salient through decreasing party loyalty and increasing numbers of party switchers. …

Tortured Policies On Torture: Notes From The House Of The Dead?, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article describes issues needing to be resolved before policies on the use of enhanced interrogation techniques including torture are developed, implemented, and assessed.

Counterterrorist Profiling, The Self, And The Problem Of Open And Quiet Skies, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

Psychological profiling supporting counterterrorism may be based on an invalid presumption.

Race And Participant Perceptions: A Case Study Of Canadian International Service Learning Students In El Salvador, Kenzie Pulsifer

Social Justice and Community Engagement

International service learning – ISL after this, has grown in volume and interest across the post-secondary educational landscape in the last two decades in the ‘North’. In attendance with this growth, has been an increasing concern regarding its capacity to be an effective and progressive set of learning and engagement practices. Most broadly, are the concerns with the neo-colonial character and legacy associated with current ISL presence in the South – the content of participant values and beliefs – how they perceive and practice their roles in these experiences. This research investigates most specifically, a concern associated with these North-South …

Radical Islamist English-Language Online Magazines: Research Guide, Strategic Insights, And Policy Response, Robert J. Bunker Dr., Pamela L. Bunnker

Books, Monographs & Collaborative Studies

Radical Islamist online magazines first appeared in November 2003 with the publication of Sawt al-Jihad (Voice of Jihad) in Arabic. This magazine discontinued publication in April 2005 after 29 issues, having been shut down by the Saudi security services. The magazine was produced by the Saudi branch of al-Qaeda that later evolved into al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). It called upon other al-Qaeda groups to develop and franchise their own magazines. Besides the plethora of radical Islamist online magazines in Arabic that has been produced since 2003—along with those in many other languages including Urdu, Russian, German, French, and …

“There Goes That Relationship”: Journalistic Aggression And Political Equivocation In Joint Press Conferences, Nichole Anne Russell

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluates the relationship between the press and political leaders during joint press conferences. Aggressive journalistic questioning in press conferences has increased over time (Clayman & Heritage, 2002; Clayman, Elliott, Heritage, & McDonald, 2004; Clayman, Elliott, Heritage, & McDonald, 2007), but recent scholarships shows that journalists present less aggressive questions when a foreign head of state is present (Banning & Billingsley, 2007). Joint press conferences hosted in the United States by President Donald Trump between Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, and Chancellor Angela Merkel …

National Security And Education: What Is Graduating College Worth?, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

There are newly shared positive correlations between genetics and college graduation. Although higher education including college graduation has national security import, social policy implications based on such data are less clear.

From Talons To Tweets: Analyzing The Influence Of Information And Communication Technology On Diplomacy, Austin Hayes

McNair Scholars Research

As countries embrace innovative technologies, thus increasing the speed of interstate communication, the overall nature of interactions between states is changing. Consequently, core diplomatic structures are shifting from the private realm to the public sphere. I argue that Information Communication Technology (ICT) is the major agent of this shift. Less distance between electorates and diplomatic agents due to ICT allows the public to more directly influence international diplomacy. By studying the impact of the telegraph, telephone, Internet, etc., this study examines ICT’s influence on diplomacy, contending that the trend toward an increased dependence on technology will mark another pivotal moment …

On The Efficacy Of Sanctions: Why Regimes And Motives Matter, Colette Faulkner

Global Tides

This paper seeks to explain not only the reasons and motivations behind why countries choose to use sanctions as a tool of foreign policy but also interrogates the efficacy of sanctions. Sanctions are a mechanism that countries generally use against another country in order to get a response. Sanctions can be used as either tools of economic coercion or as symbols of disapproval. With regards to the efficacy of sanctions extracting political concessions, sanctions are generally succeeding with more democratic regimes and fail with more autocratic regimes. As a symbolic tool sanctions often succeed at increasing the reputation of the …

The Transatlantic Trump Effect, Graham Macphee

English Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Fake News: Is Truth Really Under Attack?, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

Attacking fake news may be as fake as fake news. Or so suggests Western epistemology.

Three Futures For A Post-Western Cybered World, Chris C. Demchak

Military Cyber Affairs

West faces a different security dilemma due to the shoddy cyberspace substrate it built and spread globally. Cyberspace created a new form of ‘cybered conflict’ with five advantages for offense previously – scale of organization, proximity, precision, deception and tools, and opaqueness in origins. It also accelerated massive wealth transfers to rising near peer and now peer adversaries, who were expected to simply fold into the western-built international system. In the process, the basic well-being of the economies of the consolidated civil society democracies have become non-kinetic fields of conflict among state and nonstate actors. The past twenty-five years of …

Turkish Eu Accession: The Influence Of The Far Right, Gregory Stryker

International Relations Summer Fellows

Samuel Huntington’s concept of ‘a clash of civilizations’ is used more frequently by some in the EU to explain the question of why the EU is seemingly stalling Turkey from becoming a full member state of the EU. Scholars offer many other possible reasons to explain the attempts from the EU to delay or even prevent Turkish accession based around arguments of identity, economics, or human rights, among others. This paper takes a different approach from other scholarly works by examining the domestic politics in the countries that have delayed Turkey from progressing with the accession negotiations. I argue that …

Gloom And Doom In Europe: After The Trump-Disrupted Nato Summit, Erika Simpson Finds Our European Allies Disheartened And Fearful, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

In her analysis following the disrupted NATO Summit under President Trump, Erika Simpson reflects on Europe's somber mood and strategic uncertainties. Attendees at a post-summit conference in Italy expressed frustration and concern over Trump's demands for increased defense spending from European allies. Simpson, the sole Canadian present, emphasized Canada's NATO contributions despite feeling overlooked in defense discussions focused on Europe's eastern and southern flanks. European officials, grappling with fears of Russian aggression and challenges like cyberwarfare and migrant crises, discussed plans to bolster military capabilities amid economic constraints and political upheavals within the EU. Simpson highlights Canada's steadfast NATO commitments …

A Mile In My Shoes: A Website For First-Generation Immigrants, Chelsey Thomas

International Relations Summer Fellows

What are the most important variables to consider when applying for college? What really makes a school worth it? This project looks to tackle questions such as these by analyzing Pell grant rates, graduation and admission rates, and default rates among colleges as well as their social and cultural pros and cons. The overall goal of this is a push for transparency as well as bridging the gap between higher education and students.

Intersectional India: Caste, Feminism And Development In The 21st Century, Anika Backelin-Harrison

International Relations Summer Fellows

My paper explores the intersections between caste and feminism in the 21^stcentury, questioning India’s future if it remains divided by ascribed status. Beginning with independence in 1947, I dissect India’s history post-colonialism and how the feminist movement gained headway during periods of political upheaval. Within the feminist movement, Indian women remain divided on the basis of caste, therefore stalling gains for true equality. India’s hope for development, increased security and peaceful negotiations will not come to fruition if the caste system persists, especially in the feminist movement.

Following India’s independence, women have been used as a marker for …

Future Melting Away: Water Stress As A Threat To Human Security In Bangladesh And The Role Of International Community, Farzana Afroz Chowdhury

Theses and Dissertations

Bangladesh is considered as one of the frontline states in the global climate change; its policy agendas attempt to respond to the perceived security threats emanating from such changes. Water stress is one of the key problems the country is facing. Yet, links between glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalaya, Bangladesh’s climate, growing water stress, and its implications for human security have seldom been studied. Drawing on the concepts of climate change, human security and water stress, the thesis examines the causes of Bangladesh’s freshwater crisis and its contribution to the human insecurity. Here in this study, the influence of …

Who’S Running The World? Psychological Assessment Of Political Leaders, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

Should psychological assessment techniques be applied to global political leaders with the results conveyed to general publics worldwide? These techniques may not yet be ready for prime time.

The Political Nature Of Defense Policy In Congress, Timothy Welter

Dissertations

Is defense policy more collegial than other policy issues addressed by Congress? More specifically, what are the institutional and political motives which drive a majority of the members of Congress to consistently transcend partisanship in order to pass defense focused legislation into law?

The purpose of this study was to test whether or not the consideration of defense policy in the House of Representatives is unique in its ability to transcend partisanship. And if so, why?

Hypothesis: The formulation of defense policy in the U.S. House of Representatives is approached with more collegiality than other policy issue areas, mainly due …

Psychological Warfare And The Kingdom Of Shame, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

Psychological warfare is commonly referred to as a battle for hearts and minds. But inducing desired behavioral change is more complicated as the psychology of shame illustrates.

Trump's Space Force Will Incite An Arms Race In Space, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

In July 2018, Erika Simpson critiques President Trump's proposal for a "Space Force," arguing it could trigger a new arms race in space. Trump’s vision of space as a warfighting domain and his push for increased missile defense spending could exacerbate global tensions and undermine existing arms control regimes. The Trump administration’s Nuclear Posture Review highlights a focus on space-based threats, but details remain unclear. Simpson questions whether Canada should participate in U.S. missile defense and space militarization, emphasizing the risk of escalating an arms race with Russia and China. She advocates for maintaining space as a demilitarized zone and …

The Effect Of Illicit Drugs Securitization In Indonesia, Yanu Widiyono

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

Barry Buzan and the Copenhagen School scholars introduce the concept of Securitization in International Relations. This concept argues that threat is formed and based on the interpretation of the actors . Threat does not naturally arise from the situation of state. Rather, it arises because of how prominent actors politicize the issues.

This study mainly focuses on analyzing the effects of Illicit Drugs Securitization in Indonesia. Previous literature has analyzed the issue of Illicit Drugs Abuse and trafficking problems in Southeast Asia in general, but few focus on Indonesia in particular. As the biggest state in South East Asia and …

Current Russia Military Affairs: Assessing And Countering Russian Strategy, Operational Planning, And Modernization

Books, Monographs & Collaborative Studies

No abstract provided.

The Politics Of Walls: Barriers, Flows, And The Sublime, William A. Callahan

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

As Donald Trump’s presidential campaign showed, walls are a hot topic. While ‘globalisation’, with its free flow of capital and goods, characterised world politics after the end of the Cold War, the twenty-first century has witnessed a reassertion of cultural, legal, and physical barriers. It is common to criticise such post-Cold War walls, especially the US-Mexico Barrier and Israel’s West Bank Barrier, as ineffective and immoral. This article problematises such critical discourse by using unlikely juxtapositions (the Great Wall of China) and new conceptual frameworks (gaps, critical aesthetics) to explore: (1) how walls can be a rational security policy; (2) …

Beyond Carrots And Sticks: An Analysis Of U.S. Approaches To Counterterrorism From 2000-2016, Margaret M. Seymour

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

Soft power, a concept developed and presented by Joseph Nye in 1990, has quickly become a critical concept in U.S. foreign policy. Scholars and practitioners discuss the utility or futility of soft power. Theorists rank countries by their use of effective soft power against one another. Critically lacking in the discussion, however, is an analysis of how one country’s use of soft power changes, or remains the same, over time.

Counterterrorism policy has been a focus of U.S. foreign policy since 9/11, and while there is a robust discussion on effectiveness of various policies and strategies, scholars have routinely failed …

Recommended Corrective Security Measures To Address The Weaknesses Identified Within The Shapash Nuclear Research Institute, Khadija Moussaid, Oum Keltoum Hakam

International Journal of Nuclear Security

The Shapash Nuclear Research Institute (SNRI) data book was issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2013. The hypothetical facility data book describes the hypothetical site, which is divided into two areas: the low-security area, known as the administrative area, and the very high-security area, known as the protected area. The book contains detailed descriptions of each area’s safety and security measures, along with figures of multiple buildings in both areas, and also includes information about the site’s computer networks.

This paper aims to identify security weaknesses related to the institute’s location, the Administrative Area (AA), the Protected …

Psychologies Of The Immigration Wars: Can We And Should We Support Diversity?, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

As with the global war on terror, there are the immigration wars. What are some psychological foundations?

Treason, Treachery, And Betrayal Of Trust: The Psychological Search For The Why, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

Treason, treachery, and betrayal of trust constitute a motif of human history. Can scientific psychology help us understand why?

Why Can't We Be Friends? Rapprochement In Us Foreign Policy, Karyssa Scheck

Scholarly Horizons: University of Minnesota, Morris Undergraduate Journal

This comparative case study examines which factors lead the United States to reexamine its policies toward countries with which it has severed diplomatic ties. I theorize that two particular factors are instrumental in foreign policy decision-making when it comes to reversing US foreign policy to improve bilateral relations: perception of economic benefit for the US and perception of international pressure on the US to change its policy. I evaluate the presence and importance of these factors in the cases of US rapprochement with Iran, Libya, Vietnam, and Cuba, as they represent recent, major changes in the course of US foreign …