Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Political Science Commons™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Honors Theses

Discipline
Institution
Keyword
Publication Year
Publication Type

Articles 391 - 420 of 445

Full-Text Articles in Political Science

Scientific Advice To The House : Who Has The Congressional Ear?, Kristen Greenholt Apr 2007

Scientific Advice To The House : Who Has The Congressional Ear?, Kristen Greenholt

Honors Theses

In 2001, President George W. Bush remarked, "Science and technology have never been more essential to the defense of the nation and the health of the economy." The responsibility for formulating science and technology policy primarily falls into the hands of Congress. However, since few members of Congress possess a broad base of knowledge in either science or technology, they must rely on external sources of information. I examine the sources of information on which they rely, or the question "Who has the Congressional Ear?"with regard to science and technology issues. Using the downfall of the Office of Technology Assessment …


Too Many Bad Cooks Spoiling The Broth? Effectiveness Of Ngos In Addressing Child Labour In El Salvador, Ivica Petríková Jan 2007

Too Many Bad Cooks Spoiling The Broth? Effectiveness Of Ngos In Addressing Child Labour In El Salvador, Ivica Petríková

Honors Theses

The reaction of the first world to the persevering plight of a large part of the third world varies. In response to the sometimes glaring disparities, many international organizations and multinational corporations have recently adopted a pro-development rhetoric with relation to the problem of global poverty. However, the rhetoric rarely translates into action. As David Bacon discusses, leaders of corporations and organizations now tend to conclude their speeches by expressing a desire to reduce the suffering of the third world. However, when it comes to agreeing on specific concessions that could indeed improve the world-wide economic situation, first world countries …


The Role Of Professional Women In Pakistani Society, Sarah Husain Apr 2006

The Role Of Professional Women In Pakistani Society, Sarah Husain

Honors Theses

This paper attempts to outline key factors that negatively affect women in Pakistan, including poverty, lack of education, and gender discrimination. First, I will use data that shows the underlying economic problems prevalent there. I will also use information gathered from the interviews that describes how professional women are advocating for positive change in the social structure of the country. Thirdly, I will discuss the role of NGO's in assisting the plight of Pakistani women. Lastly, I will examine the role of religion and how it affects the values of the general public in regard to women.


The Democratization Of Spain: The Role Of Consensus And Moderation, Meghan Sifuentes Apr 2006

The Democratization Of Spain: The Role Of Consensus And Moderation, Meghan Sifuentes

Honors Theses

The Spanish transition to democracy is justly deemed a success story due to the relative fluidity of the process, the non-violent means in which Spain was able to consolidate, and the stability of the democratic system over the last quarter of a decade. Particularly noteworthy to Spain's success at democratic consolidation was the history and events that preceded its foundation. The failures of Spain's previous attempt at a democratic state, the brief and chaotic Second Republic (1931-36), gave rise to the Spanish Civil War, a costly and bloody conflict that polarized a nation. The Civil War in turn gave birth …


Extension Of National Membership: Government Promises, Immigrant Expectations And The Impact On The Foreign Population In Germany, Justin Dubois Jan 2005

Extension Of National Membership: Government Promises, Immigrant Expectations And The Impact On The Foreign Population In Germany, Justin Dubois

Honors Theses

This study posited that the gap between the governmental goals and actual outcomes of the Reform to the Citizenship Law of 1999 was produced by a variety of factors, the most influential one being the institutions of the Federal Republic. Other suggested variables were domestic public pressure and a failure in policy implementation. The earlier chapters of this study concluded that these three factors did in fact contribute to the goals-outcomes gap of the citizenship reform.


Boundary Maintenance: An Examination Of Municipal Political Participation In Rural Bolivia, Spencer Fenniman Jan 2004

Boundary Maintenance: An Examination Of Municipal Political Participation In Rural Bolivia, Spencer Fenniman

Honors Theses

On April 20, 1994, the Bolivian government promulgated Law 1551, the Ley de Participacion Popular (The Law of Popular Participation). This law was considered by policy-makers to be an innovative governance response to a history of rural exclusion from democratic procedures.Through the decentralization of many government functions to the level of the municipality, this new system of governance was heralded as the beginning to a new regime where there would be control social desde abajo-social control from below-and popular power in governance. The operating assumption was that through local control, rural populations would be able to effectively combat their own …


The Truman Doctrine Vs. The Bush Doctrine: Justifying War With Iraq, Lindsay St. Germain Jun 2003

The Truman Doctrine Vs. The Bush Doctrine: Justifying War With Iraq, Lindsay St. Germain

Honors Theses

It is commonly thought that presidential doctrines set a precedent for the country to follow. These doctrines are intended to reflect the attitudes, and values of not only the president in power, but the best interests of the United States in general. Using public opinion surveys, historical documents, and current news articles and books, I will analyze the Truman Doctrine, enunciated in 1947, and the Bush Doctrine, put forth in 2001. In doing so, I hope to compare military actions justified using both doctrines, and point out what I see to be the flaws and triumphs of the Bush Doctrine; …


Michigan Township Zoning Boards Of Appeals Members' Perceptions Of Their Authority, Mark J. Magyar Apr 2003

Michigan Township Zoning Boards Of Appeals Members' Perceptions Of Their Authority, Mark J. Magyar

Honors Theses

With the following investigation I seek to answer the questions: How aligned are the perceptions of Michigan township zoning boards of appeals (ZBAs) members' regarding their authorities with the authorities expressly and implicitly prescribed for them by state statute? If they are not aligned, do ZBA members need further education in the statute? ZBA members are not formally educated in the statute but are guided by secondary sources. While these sources are crucial to the proper administration of ZBAs' objectives, there is often an element of bias in interpretation to varying degrees. I want to determine whether or not education …


Inefficient National Political Parties In Brazil And The Effects On Economic Policy, Jason Sullivan Apr 2003

Inefficient National Political Parties In Brazil And The Effects On Economic Policy, Jason Sullivan

Honors Theses

I intended to study the domestic and international issues that pushed and pulled at the government in its creation of its economic policy. I intended to focus on the executive branch of the government and the international organizations and sovereign nations that influenced the policy decisions surrounding the specific year of 1997. However, as I researched I found something that I think is as just as important if not more important in creating Brazil's economic policy. As I researched it became evident that the characteristics of the Brazilian political parties had an influence on how all policies are formulated, more …


Chapter 11 Of Nafta V. U.S. Democracy, Cara Mroczek Apr 2002

Chapter 11 Of Nafta V. U.S. Democracy, Cara Mroczek

Honors Theses

The roots of the democratic system in the United States are deeply embedded within the compelling language of the Declaration of Independence. This document is still held on high regard for the inspiration it has provided to the development of democratic institutions and ideals. The creation of United States democracy was founded on the principles outlined in this historic document "that certain truths are self-evident, that people are created equal, that they are endowed with inalienable rights, that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed and that the purpose of government is to protect these rights." These …


Is The Lottery Right For Tennessee?, Lindsay Boyer Apr 2002

Is The Lottery Right For Tennessee?, Lindsay Boyer

Honors Theses

The research reported in this paper seeks to present an in-depth review of state lotteries. To accomplish this objective, I first examine the factors favoring lottery introduction including some of the arguments for and against lotteries. Then, I examine the effects lotteries have had in other states to predict the possible influence a lottery will have on Tennessee state revenues and state spending for public education. Finally, in this paper, I analyze budget data over a series of years to make possible some conclusions as to the longer term effects of state lotteries.


Attributes Of A Successful Confederacy: A Comparative Analysis Of The Political Institutions Of The Articles Of Confederation And The European Union, Kim Victor Jan 2002

Attributes Of A Successful Confederacy: A Comparative Analysis Of The Political Institutions Of The Articles Of Confederation And The European Union, Kim Victor

Honors Theses

Following the devastation and instability in Europe in the aftermath of World War II, six of the continent's nations entered into the European Coal and Steel Community. The agreement to enter this organization provided the impetus for the modern day European Union (EU)I. Although its relatively short history may not be sufficient to consider the relationship perpetual, the European Union shows promise of continual integration. While these two political systems are fundamentally different in a number of respects, the basic structure of each organization be categorized as a confederacy. Using the notion of a confederacy as a point of comparison, …


Politics For The People: The Significance Of Austrian National Identity In The Rise Of The Fpo, Laura A. Jeltema Apr 2001

Politics For The People: The Significance Of Austrian National Identity In The Rise Of The Fpo, Laura A. Jeltema

Honors Theses

No abstract available.


Wolves In Sheeps' Clothing: Creationist Manipulation Of Kansas Science Standards, Nathan Christopher Gehlert Jan 2001

Wolves In Sheeps' Clothing: Creationist Manipulation Of Kansas Science Standards, Nathan Christopher Gehlert

Honors Theses

So the question that animates this paper is this: what happens when a state's education policy seeks to make popular social and religious values a central part of its education standards in direct confrontation with the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution? I will try to answer that question in three ways. First, I will examine the tactics used in the manipulation of curricula to reflect social and religious values, with special focus on the Kansas case. Second, I will try to ascertain the determinants of success in these efforts; under what conditions are movements to …


Environmental Effects Of Economic Sanctions: The Cuban Experience, Amanda Carucci May 2000

Environmental Effects Of Economic Sanctions: The Cuban Experience, Amanda Carucci

Honors Theses

Cuba has pervaded U.S. consciousness for several decades. For nearly fifty years the United States has continuously threatened and feared one of our closest neighbors. Lawmakers have fretted over the stubbornness of its communist leadership. Though the longevity and persistence of Fidel Castro's rule might be an understandable concern for U.S. policyrnakers, there are several other issues apparent within the island which are certainly worthy of our attention. The highways are adorned with colorful billboards praising the communist government and Fidel Castro exudes pride and confidence during each of his public appearances. Yet beneath this poorly constructed veneer, the country …


Anger And Reconciliation: Relations Between The United States And India, 1953-1956, Tom Donahue May 2000

Anger And Reconciliation: Relations Between The United States And India, 1953-1956, Tom Donahue

Honors Theses

When Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected President of the United States in 1952, America held its breath to see how a Republican administration would handle the Cold War. By 1952, due particularly to the costs of the Korean conflict, enthusiasm for President Harry Truman and Secretary of State Dean Acheson's policy of "containment" of Communism reached new lows. Eisenhower had been elected with a mandate from the citizenry: to get tough on communism. The candidate and his advisers were determined to prove to the Communists that the United States had rurned over a new leaf. There would be no more …


New Balance Of Threat: East Asian Alliance Formation And Capacity Development, Ben Humphreys Jan 2000

New Balance Of Threat: East Asian Alliance Formation And Capacity Development, Ben Humphreys

Honors Theses

The different analyses and predictions of alliance behavior and capacity development advocated in the literature are based on the application of different theoretical perspectives to international relationships. As none of these theories dominate the field, the contradictory predictions do not empower current policy-makers with any clear sense of the future of alliance formation in East Asia. In this thesis I present the major theoretical frameworks that explain alliance formation behavior. Then I examine the empirical evidence independent of any theoretical considerations. I then apply the empirical evidence regarding capacity development in East Asia during 1990-1998 to these theories to determine …


European Integration And The Expansion Of The European Union: Identity Formation In Europe, Aaron P. Boesenecker Dec 1999

European Integration And The Expansion Of The European Union: Identity Formation In Europe, Aaron P. Boesenecker

Honors Theses

The states of Europe and the European Union are facing one of the greatest challenges since the founding of the European Community in the 1950s. The collapse of the Soviet Union and end of the Cold War have served to strengthen the position of the European Union as a guarantor of democracy, peace, and fundamental human rights in Europe. However, crises such as the Balkan conflicts of recent years have also exposed inherent weaknesses in the Union's ability to respond to the changing international environment. As the Amsterdam Treaty entered into effect on 1 May 1999, the EU marked a …


Women And Work: An Analysis Of The Sociological And Historical Trends Of Maternity Leave Policies In The U.S., Gina M. Schrader Dec 1999

Women And Work: An Analysis Of The Sociological And Historical Trends Of Maternity Leave Policies In The U.S., Gina M. Schrader

Honors Theses

This paper presents an analysis of maternity rights and regulations within the context of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 and the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993. First, I will define the legislation while observing the sociological and historical significance of the legislation. Second, I will analyze maternity leave policies of the modern working environment and address the increasing involvement of women within the workforce. Finally, I will examine the needs that are unmet within current policies and the possible alternatives.


To Bribe Or Not To Bribe? U.S.-Led Attempts At Nuclear Compensation In Ukraine And North Korea, Jacob Berg Jan 1999

To Bribe Or Not To Bribe? U.S.-Led Attempts At Nuclear Compensation In Ukraine And North Korea, Jacob Berg

Honors Theses

Since the end of the Cold War, the international community has been concerned about three states crossing the nuclear threshold: Iraq, Ukraine, and the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea). In the Iraqi case, the United States used tactics of punishment and coercion. After the Persian Gulf War of 1991, United Nations and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) special inspectors went into Iraq to search for not only signs of nuclear weapons production, but also weapons themselves. Foiled by Baghdad, the U.S. launched airstrikes on three separate occasions, hoping to force Iraq to comply with UN Security …


Continue With The Old Or Start Anew? An Examination Of Congressional Election Theories In The Context Of The 1946, 1948, 1994 And 1996 Elections, Elizabeth Ivry May 1998

Continue With The Old Or Start Anew? An Examination Of Congressional Election Theories In The Context Of The 1946, 1948, 1994 And 1996 Elections, Elizabeth Ivry

Honors Theses

The differences in these election results raise several questions about the role and purpose of congressional elections in our democratic society. What factors could explain why two such similar elections, those of 1946 and 1994, were followed by two such different elections, those of 1948 and 1996? Has the relationship between congressional elections and congressional behaviors changed in the past 50 years? Are congressional elections still a referendum of the previous Congress and the incumbent presidency, or are other factors influencing the electorate's voting patterns? Were the midterm elections of 1946 and 1994 just extreme examples of what political scientists …


A Historical Analysis Of Written Obscenity And The First Amendment Freedom Of Speech, Jaime Willis Apr 1998

A Historical Analysis Of Written Obscenity And The First Amendment Freedom Of Speech, Jaime Willis

Honors Theses

The unalienable rights delineated in the first ten amendments of the United States Constitution, our Bill of Rights, has sparked many noteworthy legal, political and moral debates in the short history of America. The freedom of speech noted in the First Amendment is no exception.


Registration Laws And Their Impact On Voter Retention, Tom Lenard Apr 1998

Registration Laws And Their Impact On Voter Retention, Tom Lenard

Honors Theses

The literature on voting participation suggests a number of factors that should affect voter turnout differences including the legal incentives or hindrances acting directly on individual citizens. In this study I examine registration laws and how they may play a role in the stability over voter turnout between presidential and midterm elections. Specifically, this research concentrates on classifying each individual state into groups with easier and those with more strict registration requirements. With this done, I compared the voter turnout for the 1990-1996 elections between the two groups. Also, I looked at the drop-off rates in percentage of turnout for …


The Power Of The Press: A Content Analysis Of Congressional Press Coverage In National, Regional, And Local Newspapers., Kendra Page Ammann Jan 1998

The Power Of The Press: A Content Analysis Of Congressional Press Coverage In National, Regional, And Local Newspapers., Kendra Page Ammann

Honors Theses

I continue to believe that the press are very powerful in the shaping of public opinion about the Congress, since they serve as one of the only sources of information about the Congress. I conclude that Congress, as an institution, must find ways, other than through the mass media, to inform the American public of its activities. Since I have identified a clear connection between the negative press coverage of Congress as an institution and negative public opinion of Congress as an institution, I believe that an increase in the dissemination of positive information about the institution of Congress may …


Contributions Of Private Investment In Post-Conflict Guatemala: Evidence From Socially Responsible Maquiladoras, Jeana L. Flahive Jan 1998

Contributions Of Private Investment In Post-Conflict Guatemala: Evidence From Socially Responsible Maquiladoras, Jeana L. Flahive

Honors Theses

Is it possible that the new corporate attitude of responsibility and pressure from Codes of Conduct could create a situation where the benefits of the maquiladora industry can be maximized while the costs are minimized? Results from four best practice, responsible maquilas in Guatemala will be considered in this thesis. The maquilas used as case examples, Intraexa, Esdisa, Korarnsa, and Cardiz, all share similar standards of operation. They are all in compliance with Guatemalan labor law; some even go beyond what the law requires. Each of the factories is certified as complying with all of the principles in AGEXPRONT's Code …


Deja Vu In 1946: Reinterpreting The Origins Of Containment, Jonathan Barry Jan 1998

Deja Vu In 1946: Reinterpreting The Origins Of Containment, Jonathan Barry

Honors Theses

For nearly fifty years, mainstream Cold War historians have credited George Kennan with ushering in a new age in foreign policy. Kennan did, after all, send a "Long Telegram" from Moscow on February 22, 1946 that crystallized for the US government a policy of "containing" the Soviet regime. Kennan, a State Department official and expert on Soviet affairs, submitted to Secretary of State James Byrnes an 8,000 word telegram depicting a communist government bent on upholding the expansionist tradition of the Russian czars. He further claimed that "all Soviet efforts on... [an] international plane will be negative and destructive in …


Astride The Black Horse : The Politicization Of Famine Relief Operations In The Third World, Jon Bolton Jan 1998

Astride The Black Horse : The Politicization Of Famine Relief Operations In The Third World, Jon Bolton

Honors Theses

The twentieth century is likely to hold the dubious distinction of being the century in which more people will die of famine than any other. While the growth of technology and prosperity that characterized this century has been unprecedented in the history of humankind, this growth has not been distributed equally throughout the world, producing regions, even entire continents, characterized by abject poverty. Added to this, the purposeful exploitation of many of these underdeveloped regions by Northern colonizers and slavers in the last century has created chronically unstable and underdeveloped countries in which famine is a constant threat. Thus, disasters …


Power Of The Party: An Assessment Of Political Party Impact On The Nomination Processes For The U.S. House Of Representatives, Cary Gibson May 1997

Power Of The Party: An Assessment Of Political Party Impact On The Nomination Processes For The U.S. House Of Representatives, Cary Gibson

Honors Theses

In 1942, prominent political scientist E.E. Schattschneider said of the importance of the nomination to political parties: "Unless the party makes authoritative and effective nominations, it cannot stay in business...The nature of the nomination procedure determines the nature of the party; he who can make nominations is the owner of the party."l Statements such as this articulate the importance of the nominating power to political parties: the ability to make effective nominations is an integral part of their function in the electoral system. However, throughout this century, American political parties have been witness to a startling decline in their ability …


Us/Japanese Trade Policy: A Defense Of Limited Unilateralism, Stephen D. Behnke Apr 1997

Us/Japanese Trade Policy: A Defense Of Limited Unilateralism, Stephen D. Behnke

Honors Theses

With the end of the Cold War, the Soviet threat is no longer a factor in our formulation of trade policy with Japan. In days past, the State Department cited geopolitical concerns in its on-going battle with those sections of the government who were more willing to slap trade restrictions on Japan for alleged unfair trading practices. Until the early 1970s, United States trade policy was almost totally subjugated to winning the Cold War; our market was thrown open to imports even if others were not. Back then, though, this was not only a wise Cold War "military tactic," but …


The Death Penalty And Public Opinion, Eve Errickson Mar 1997

The Death Penalty And Public Opinion, Eve Errickson

Honors Theses

In this research, I will examine public opinion on the death penalty from 1972 to the present. In doing so, I will show that as the awareness of violence and crime increases, support for the death penalty increases. I intend by the consideration of prevalent trends and ideas over the past twenty-five years to show that awareness of crime and prejudice against ethnic groups traditionally associated with crime often dictates public opinion of the death penalty. As these tendencies become more apparent, it will become clear that the Supreme Court's confidence in mitigating and aggravating factors are not entirely valid, …