Political Science Commons^™

Racial Limitations On The Gender, Risk, Religion & Politics Model, Amanda Friesen

Political Science Publications

Risk aversion dampens political participation and heightens religiosity, with concentrated effects among women. Yet, little is known about how intersecting identities moderate these psychological correlates of religiosity and political engagement. In this paper, we theorize that the risk-religion-politics relationship is gendered and racialized. Using a nationally representative survey, we show that political participation is more strongly correlated with risk for Black women than for any other race-gender group. For religiosity, however, we find little evidence that risk is related to religiosity among Black women, while highly correlated with white women's religious engagement. For men—whether Black or white—risk exhibits a modest, …

Election Campaign Finance Rules In Canadian Municipalities: An Overview, Brittany L. Bouteiller

Centre for Urban Policy and Local Governance – Publications

The Money and Local Democracy Project explores the effects of campaign finance rules on municipal election campaigns and election outcomes in Canada. Governments around the world regulate election campaign financing to ensure that elections are fair and competitive, although they do so in different ways. Funded by a Western University Undergraduate Student Research Internship (UWO) grant, research assistant Brittany Bouteiller was tasked with conducting preliminary research on 65 municipalities across Canada to determine the availability of campaign finance data from local and provincial governments and to identify clusters or trends. This research bulletin summarizes her findings.

A Plea To Heed The Chorus Of Afghans Urging Canadian Aid, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

No abstract provided.

Why Buffer Zones Could Combat The Ongoing War In Afghanistan, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

Amidst escalating conflict in Afghanistan, there's a growing call for buffer zones or Zones of Peace (ZoPs). These would be safe areas around key cities to protect civilians and promote stability amid ongoing violence. The idea is to create safe havens, truce corridors, and temporary lifelines managed by neutral parties like the United Nations.

Buffer zones draw on past successes and aim to provide refuge, aid, and a chance for peace amidst the turmoil. They could help mitigate humanitarian crises and support local communities, showing potential for easing tensions and fostering stability in Afghanistan.

Commemorating The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Bombings And A Call For Nuclear Disarmament, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

This year marks 76 years since atomic bombs devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki, highlighting the tragic impact on civilians. Debates continue on their role in Japan's surrender. The International Court of Justice urges global nuclear disarmament. Canadian groups like CNANW and CPRA push for disarmament amid ongoing modernization of nuclear arsenals. They call on Canada to prioritize disarmament, join treaties like the TPNW, and lead within NATO for a nuclear-free world. They stress the need for a strong security framework to prevent nuclear threats, inspired by survivors like Setsuko Thurlow.

Political Taste: Exploring How Perception Of Bitter Substances May Reveal Risk Tolerance And Political Preferences, Amanda Friesen

Political Science Publications

Risk is endemic to the political arena and influences citizen engagement. We explore this connection by suggesting that risk-taking may be biologically instantiated in sensory systems. With specific attention to gender and gender identity, we investigate the connections between self-reported bitter taste reception, risk tolerance, and both of their associations with political participation. In three U.S. samples collected in 2019 and 2020, participants were asked to rate their preferences from lists of foods as well as whether they detected the taste of the substance N-Propylthiouracil (PROP) and, if so, the strength of the taste. In this registered report, we find …

Political Perceptions Of Modern Quantitative Easing A Qualitative Study Examining The Relationships Between Political Affiliation, The Perceived Institutional Legitimacy Of Central Banks, And Monetary Policy, Patrick Doodnauth Persaud

MA Major Research Papers

The variety of policy and philosophical positions that exist with respect to the legitimacy and functionality of central banking is vast, and this paper aims to address how these positions align with the traditional notions of the ‘left-right’ political spectrum. This research project aims to create a typology of monetary policy and central bank philosophies based on political ideology. The project will attempt to identify group differences in the perception of central bank legitimacy, central bank functionality, monetary policy, and the role of central banks in broader society.

Emerging Unconventionally; The Mavericks: An Analysis On The Development Of Western Canadian Political Parties Through Canada’S Newest Federal Party – The Maverick Party Of Canada, David Carlson

MA Major Research Papers

Born in 2020 Alberta, the Maverick Party is a new regionally focused federal party that

advocates for constitutional change that will "benefit the west." This party is being studied to

understand better the role it will have in Canadian politics.

Killer Robots On Trial: Autonomous Weapons Systems In The Context Of International Law, Mikaela Heck

MA Major Research Papers

Killer robots are no longer a facet of science fiction, but rather an imminent reality. The development of autonomous weapons systems (AWS) has been something states and military operations have been working towards to build their arsenal and change the landscape of conflict. With this changing landscape, these AWS fit within public international law in a unique way, existing somewhere in between a weapon and a combatant. With increased autonomy and diminished human control over their behaviour, AWS present an interesting dilemma to existing international legal structures, as they are typically written in a fashion designed to be adhered by …

True Leadership Would See Trudeau Attend Nato Summit Virtually As Canadians Await Covid-19 Vaccines, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

The text provided highlights criticism of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's attendance at the NATO summit amidst ongoing domestic vaccination efforts. Drawing on the leadership example of Ernest Shackleton, it argues for prioritizing national COVID-19 vaccinations over international summitry. The piece critiques NATO's perceived symbolic nature and lack of substantive debate, contrasting it with Shackleton's leadership style during adversity. It advocates for global vaccine equity and questions the necessity of Trudeau's summit attendance amid completed negotiations.

The Higher Power Of Religiosity Over Personality On Political Ideology, Alexander Ksiazkiewicz, Amanda Friesen

Political Science Publications

Two streams of research, culture war and system justification, have proposed that religious orientations and personality, respectively, play critical roles in political orientations. There has been only limited work integrating these two streams. This integration is now of increased importance given the introduction of behavior-genetic frameworks into our understanding of why people differ politically. Extant research has largely considered the influence of personality as heritable and religiosity as social, but this view needs reconsideration as religiosity is also genetically influenced. Here we integrate these domains and conduct multivariate analyses on twin samples in the U.S. and Australia to identify the …

Syrian Refugees In Canada Transition To Resettlement: Through The Perspectives Of Housing, Income, Female Resettlement, And Mental Health, Floranda Agroam

MA Major Research Papers

War, violence, and fear of persecution are three main reasons to seek asylum. Syria has been experiencing an ongoing civil war since 2011 which has resulted in the external displacement of over 6.5 million Syrians. The value that refugees bring to a nation is more than a statistic, but rather refugees help establish the growth and diversity of a nation, contribute to the economy and most importantly, they are guaranteed protection from persecution, war and violence. Asylum seekers benefit from the refugee status they gain upon entry into Canada along with the many welfare services to help their transition to …

2021 C-Dem Virtual Partner Forum May 10, 2021, Consortium On Electoral Democracy

Meeting Notes

No abstract provided.

Nato Expansion Not The Answer As Ukraine Crisis Brews, But Nuclear Weapon Free Zones Needed, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

This abstract examines the escalating tensions between NATO, Ukraine, and Russia amidst accusations of aggressive behavior and militarization in Ukraine's eastern region. It explores NATO's cautious support for Ukraine, emphasizing diplomatic and military cooperation without committing to troop deployments or lethal assistance. The abstract highlights recent diplomatic interactions, including U.S. President Joe Biden's assurance of support and NATO's condemnation of Russia's actions in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. It also discusses Canada's stance on nuclear disarmament, reflecting public sentiment and advocating for multilateral approaches to regional security challenges.

U.S., Nato Afghanistan Withdrawal Impacts Counterterrorism Operations, Progress For Afghan Women, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

This abstract discusses the abrupt decision by the United States and NATO allies to accelerate the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan by September 11th, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Framed as an effort to conclude America's longest war, the withdrawal reflects shifting priorities and challenges, including financial strains and global health concerns amid COVID-19. It examines the impact on Afghanistan's security landscape, the potential resurgence of the Taliban, and the plight of women and children in a country marked by ongoing conflict and instability. The abstract also explores geopolitical implications and the broader strategic recalibration within …

The Consequences Of Denominational Typicality On Individual Political Attitudes, Michael W. Wagner, Amanda Friesen

Political Science Publications

No abstract provided.

U.K.’S Decision To Increase Nuclear Warhead Stockpile Cap Defies Logic, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

This abstract discusses the United Kingdom's controversial decision to increase its nuclear warhead stockpile cap, defying international expectations and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The decision, announced amid global disarmament efforts and criticism, reflects internal political dynamics and challenges the UK's credibility on the world stage. It explores implications for UK-Scotland relations, public opinion, and broader international reactions, contrasting with global trends towards nuclear disarmament. The abstract also examines the upcoming UN NPT Review Conference and its potential impact on global nuclear policies and alliances.

Conditions-Based Negotiations, Renewed Nato Troop Commitments Needed In Afghanistan, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

The article discusses the necessity of a conditions-based approach for U.S. troop withdrawals from Afghanistan, rather than adhering to a strict timeline. The current situation in Afghanistan is fragile, with the Taliban showing no incentives to compromise and ongoing violence claiming numerous lives. NATO defense ministers recently reaffirmed their commitment to the mission in Afghanistan, emphasizing the importance of renewed and smaller troop commitments. The Afghan government's involvement in peace talks with the Taliban has not yielded significant breakthroughs, as procedural issues dominate the discussions. The article criticizes former U.S. President Donald Trump's inconsistent strategies and highlights the potential risks …

C-Dem Advisory Council Meeting Notes February 22, 2021, Consortium On Electoral Democracy

Meeting Notes

No abstract provided.

‘You Can’T Repeal Regret’: Targeting Men For Mobilisation In Ireland’S Abortion Debate, Kate Hunt, Amanda Friesen

Political Science Publications

This study explores how social movement organisations involved in the abortion debate in the Republic of Ireland attempted to appeal to men in their campaign messages before the 2018 referendum on the Eighth Amendment concerning abortion. We scrape social movement organisations’ Twitter accounts to conduct quantitative and qualitative content analyses of images and videos the organisations posted, and find evidence that social movement organisations sometimes extended their frames to men as voters. Social movement organisations evoked themes of hegemonic masculinity in their imagery and messaging, though these themes were not a large portion of overall campaign tweets and there were …

Canada Still Has Obligation To Participate In Good Faith In Negotiations On Nuclear Disarmament, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

The article emphasizes Canada's ongoing responsibility to actively engage in nuclear disarmament negotiations. Despite NATO's collective opposition, there is a call for Canada to consider the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and support the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). The TPNW, endorsed by 122 nations, aims to establish a legally binding process to ban nuclear weapons, yet Canada and its NATO allies voted against it. The treaty reached the necessary ratifications to enter into force in January 2021, marking a significant step toward global nuclear disarmament. Critics argue that NATO's stance does not absolve its members …

In Understanding The Makings Of An Extremist, There's A Lot Of Work Ahead, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

The article explores the complexities and challenges of understanding and preventing extremism, particularly in light of the Capitol riot. It highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of extremism, such as socio-economic disparities, political polarization, and misinformation. The piece emphasizes that extremist behaviors are often the result of a combination of personal grievances and broader societal issues. It discusses the role of social media in radicalizing individuals and spreading extremist ideologies, noting that platforms can both enable and disrupt extremist networks. The article also underscores the necessity of a multi-faceted approach to counter-extremism, involving law enforcement, community engagement, mental …

Investing Into Domestic Manufacturing Of Critical Medication And Vaccines For The Federal Government, Sharon Low

All Reports

While the federal government has made numerous public announcements regarding their stimulus plan and promises to increase the domestic capacity to produce personal protective equipment, vaccines, and medical equipment, a critical aspect that has been neglected is the serious and ongoing shortages of critical medication. The government has promised to provide 4.28 billion to expand testing and contact tracing capacities, 7.5 billion towards PPE, and 500 million to the provinces and territories for “critical health care system needs and support for mitigation effects.” While these efforts as part of Trudeau’s Safe Restart Agreement are a good place to begin reducing …

Investing In Entrepreneurship: The Sustainable Solution To Tunisia’S Youth Unemployment Crisis?, Hussein Noureldin

All Reports

Since the Jasmine Revolution of 2011, Tunisia’s youth unemployment crisis has worsened. As of 2020, it has the tenth highest youth unemployment rate in the world at 36.5%. Experts have long identified this as the main challenge to overcoming Tunisia’s economic woes, and reform – from the education and vocational training systems on the supply-side to the job market on the demand-side – must follow the democratic gains achieved since 2011. The failed approach in reducing regional inequality under Ben Ali had an adverse effect, creating unemployment disparities between Tunisia’s affluent coastal cities and its poorer interior regions. As such, …

Impact Of Covid-19 On The Italian And American Healthcare Systems : A Comparative Assessment, Bita Pejam, Jennifer Lam

All Reports

This report aims to examine and assess the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on the healthcare systems of the United States of America and Italy; two of the most heavily affected nations. Using data from December 2019 to January 2021, several consultations, and policy reviews, we identify risks and notable areas of issue in each nations’ approach to combating the virus. We focus our report particularly on the health policies and the governmental structures in place that contributed to each nations’ initial method of alleviating the impact of COVID-19. Our report compares the two healthcare systems and proposes a …

Bengal Rising: Why Bangladesh & Pakistan’S Growth Trajectories Are Diverging, Sartaj Javed

All Reports

50 years after Henry Kissinger derided the nascent state of Bangladesh as an economic basket case, the country has emerged as the newest claimant to the mantle of being an Asian tiger economy. Borne out of a genocidal civil war with Pakistan, Bangladesh’s rise and Pakistan’s decline over a tumultuous half-century period necessitates a review of foreign policy orthodoxy as South Asia’s populace starts to assert its economic and political might.

Quantifying The Archives: Leveraging The Norms And Tools Of Data Science To Conduct Ethical Research On The Holocaust, Alexis M. Lerner

Political Science Publications

Holocaust archives have traditionally been the scholarly territory of the arts and humanities. However, given the tremendous increase in the number of testimonies and documents available, especially since the mid-1990s with the advent of the USC Shoah Foundation Visual History Archive and in the 2000s with the opening of the Arolsen Archives, it is necessary to evaluate the applicability of a numerate approach. Statistical methods, data science, and machine learning have the capacity to handle large, messy, and disparate bodies of information about human behavior. Not only could a quantitative lens disrupt traditional ways of housing, organizing, and analyzing data …

C-Dem Annual Report 2021, Allison Harell, Laura Stephenson

Annual Reports

No abstract provided.

“Man Camps”: Temporary Housing Facilities Or Sites Of Permanent Devastation? The Cases Of British Columbia, Manitoba, And Nunavut, Jasmine Tordimah

MA Major Research Papers

Violence, harassment, and sexual abuse against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people is an issue that currently plagues our nation. There is a disproportionately high number of incidents occurring at Canadian resource extraction sites, both on “work camps,” colloquially referred to as “man camps,” and within nearby communities. While arguably the most salient consideration in the assessment process, it often does not receive the attention it requires. Consequently, this issue not only adds to the wider systemic imbalances that reproduce racist, sexist, and colonial patterns, but it further contributes to the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) national …

From Classroom To Polling Station: A Cross-Canada Analysis Of High School Civics Curricula, Elizabeth Kozak

MA Major Research Papers

Public engagement, specifically in the form of voter turnout, has been a topic of discussion in political science since its inception. With recent declines in voter turnout, especially amongst young voters, some experts have begun to fear a generational shift towards political apathy; a shift that could lead to a heavily apolitical society as the generations who value politics are replaced by those who do not. With this context in mind, scholars have been trying to understand what drives turnout, why participation matters, and predict the attitude and behaviours of the Canadian electorate. Through these queries, it has been found …