Political Science Commons^™

The Last Page: Being A Liberal, Douglas Archibald

Colby Magazine

I retired in August 2004, with two presentations at literature meetings in Liverpool providing a satisfying punctuation, then returned to volunteer for the MoveOn.org effort to change the administration in Washington. The effort worked in Maine but not well enough across the country, and I descended into depression and alienation, the intensity of which startled me. What had happened to my country?

What's At Stake: Colby Political Analysts Provide Perspective On The 2004 Presidential Election, Ranging From Foreign Policy To The Economy To The Environment, G. Calvin Mackenzie, L. Sandy Maisel, Kenneth Rodman, Robert Weisbrot, Amy Walter, Stuart Rothenberg, Joseph Reisert, Patrice Franko, Thomas Tietenberg, Lilliana Botcheva-Andonova

Colby Magazine

The Election, by G. Calvin Mackenzie, Goldfarb Family Distinguished Professor of American Government

The Great Divide, by L. Sandy Maisel, William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Government

The Direction of Foreign Policy, by Kenneth Rodman, William R. Cotter Distinguished Teaching Professor of Government

Historic Parallels, by Robert Weisbrot, Christian A. Johnson Distinguished Teaching Professor of History

Inside View, by Amy Walter '91, House Editor, The Cook Political Report

Clinton Consequences, by Stuart Rothenberg '73, Editor, The Rothenberg Political Report

The Supreme Court, by Joseph Reisert, Harriet S. Wiswell and George C. Wiswell Jr. Associate Professor of American Constitutional Law

A …

The Last Page: Debating Preventive War: An Arena Of Law Of Power?, Kenneth Rodman

Colby Magazine

By the time you read this essay, we will almost certainly be at war, probably without the authorization of the United Nations. A group of students asked me whether such a war would be legal under international law. A second question is, “Do such considerations matter?”

Governability And Accountability In Brazil: Dilemma Of Coalitional Presidentialism, Taeko Hiroi

Selected Works Temporary Series

This article seeks to answer an important puzzle in Brazilian politics: What explains the legislative struggles and defeats by a president who holds a large congressional base? In the post-democratization period, most Brazilian presidents have amassed large congressional bases of support by forming governing coalitions comprised of various legislative parties. Conventional wisdom would indicate that large legislative bases would facilitate presidents to pursue their legislative agenda. However, successive presidents have faced legislative obstruction, gridlock, and defeats in Congress. This article shows how Brazil’s political institutions engender the perpetual need for presidents to create multiparty coalitions to navigate through the system …

The Physiology Of Political Participation, Michael W. Gruszczynski, Amanda Friesen, Carly M. Jacobs, Kevin B. Smith, John R. Hibbing

Political Science Publications

Political involvement varies markedly across people. Traditional explanations for this variation tend to rely on demographic variables and self-reported, overtly political concepts. In this article, we expand the range of possible explanatory variables by hypothesizing that a correlation exists between political involvement and physiological predispositions. We measure physiology by computing the degree to which electrodermal activity changes on average when a participant sequentially views a full range of differentially valenced stimuli. Our findings indicate that individuals with higher electrodermal responsiveness are also more likely to participate actively in politics. This relationship holds even after the effects of traditional demographic variables …

Democratic Governance In Mena Countrieschallenges And Aspirations, Amany Khodair, Mahmoud Khalifa

Political Science

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is often regarded as an area that was mostly dominated by authoritarian regimes. These regimes form authoritarian constraints – especially during elections – hindering political development. This usually leads genuine opposition parties and movements to form alliances, in order to make demands for reforms by these authoritarian regimes. This notion is reinforced by the fact that, in the most recent set of elections held in the region prior to revolutions that took place in countries like Tunisia, Egypt & Libya, political parties perceived to be anti-democratic or state run have achieved important …

The Dangers Of Diversity: Ethnic Fractionalization And The Rule Of Law, Michael Touchton

Political Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Research linking ethnic cleavages to economic underdevelopment is a hallmark of recent efforts to explain economic growth. Similarly, the rule of law as a credible commitment to property rights and contract enforcement is also identified with economic development. Rather than treating these factors as rival explanations for economic development around the world, I propose the rule of law as the causal mechanism through which ethnic fractionalization (EF) influences growth in many countries. I argue ethnic diversity negatively impacts the rule of law due to the prevalence of ethnically-based patronage networks in developing countries. Public officials, I argue, face greater incentives …

Policy Brief: Unscr 1325: The Challenges Of Framing Women’S Rights As A Security Matter, Natalie Florea Hudson

Political Science Faculty Publications

While UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 has certainly increased awareness among international actors about women’s and gender issues in armed conflict, opened new spaces for dialogue and partnerships from global to local levels, and even created opportunities for new resources for women’s rights, successes remain limited and notably inconsistent. To understand some of these shortcomings and think creatively about how to move the women, peace and security agenda forward, it is essential to understand the conceptual assumptions underscoring UNSCR 1325.

Industrial And Neoliberal Policies During The Pinochet Era: A Second Look, Michelle Christine Zavala-Cardona

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Faith, Freedom, And Us Foreign Policy: Avoiding The Proverbial Clash Of Civilizations In East And Southeast Asia, Eugene K. B. Tan

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, the primary weakness of US foreign policy, particularly in Southeast Asia which is home to the largest Muslim community in the world, was that it was driven by concerns over archipelagic Southeast Asia as the “second front” in the “global war against terror.” Military warfare and coercive legislation and enforcement are grossly inadequate in winning the hearts and minds of a community. Religion-wise, Asia is not a tabula rosa. Many religions have long co-existed in Asia. The virtues of religious freedom are not alien to Asia but need nurturing given the dominant imperatives of …

Hungering For A New Politics: Gerald Vandezande’S Reformational Gifts To Politics, John Hiemstra

Pro Rege

This article is based on John Hiemstra’s presentation to the Conference: “Hungering for a New Politics: The Life’s Work of Gerald Vandezande,” February 18, 2012, held at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto, Canada.

The Protective And Developmental Varieties Of Liberal Democracy: A Difference In Kind Or Degree?, Devin K. Joshi

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Liberal democratic governments may differ in both their kind and degree of democracy. However, the literature too often conflates this distinction, hindering our ability to understand what kinds of governing structures are more democratic. To clarify this issue, the article examines two prominent contemporary models of democracy: developmental liberal democracy (DLD) and protective liberal democracy (PLD). While the former takes a 'thicker' approach to governance than the latter, conventional wisdom holds that these systems differ only in kind rather than degree. The article tests this assumption through an empirical comparison of electoral, legislative, and information-regulating institutions in two representative cases: …

Asean–Eu Relations: From Regional Integration Assistance To Security Significance?, Anja Jetschke, Clara Portela

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

No abstract provided.

Faith, Freedom, And Us Foreign Policy: Avoiding The Proverbial Clash Of Civilizations In East And Southeast Asia, Tan K. B. Eugene

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, the primary weakness of US foreign policy, particularly in Southeast Asia which is home to the largest Muslim community in the world, was that it was driven by concerns over archipelagic Southeast Asia as the “second front” in the “global war against terror.” Military warfare and coercive legislation and enforcement are grossly inadequate in winning the hearts and minds of a community. Religion-wise, Asia is not a tabula rosa. Many religions have long co-existed in Asia. The virtues of religious freedom are not alien to Asia but need nurturing given the dominant imperatives of …

A Political Remix, John Fleming

Colby Magazine

Political scientist Kendra King ’94 considers the hip-hop generation and the Obama future. A professor at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, King eschews stereotypes and keeps her students—and her colleagues—guessing.

Point Of View: To Bring Peace To Afghanistan, The International Community Must Understand Pashtuns, Ayaz Khan Achakzai

Colby Magazine

Ayaz Khan Achakzai ’09 on understanding the Pashtun plight.

Obama's Right Hand: Behind The Scenes, White House Chief Of Staff Pete Rouse Is Invaluable To The President, David Mckay Wilson

Colby Magazine

As White House chief of staff, Pete Rouse ’68 is President Obama’s go-to aide. Unlike his predecessor, Rahm Emanuel, Rouse works quietly behind the scenes, eschewing the spotlight in the complex world of Washington and global politics.

Who Was Elizabeth Hanson? Book Reveals The Secret Circumstances Surrounding The Death Of The Cia's Rising Star, Gerry Boyle

Colby Magazine

Book by Washington Post reporter reveals the secret circumstances surrounding the death of rising CIA star Elizabeth Hanson ’02.

Elections And Election Campaigns (Sc 888), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scan (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 888. Campaign letter, 24 October 1907, signed by Samuel Wilbur Hager, Democratic candidate for governor and printed campaign advertising brochure distributed by the Kentucky Democratic Party, post 1908, addressed to B.C. Houre, Scottsville, Kentucky. Also associated political items relating to the Republican and Democratic parties.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 (Sc 666), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 666. Facsimiles of outgoing letters of Abraham Lincoln, 1848-1865; marriage license of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd, 1842; speeches and notes of or pertaining to Lincoln, 1835-1873, including program for dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, 1863. Explanatory information appears on the reverse of the letters.

Link Levy To Services- Not Urban Middle Class Assets, Tom Dunne

Articles

Paying any tax is an unwelcome burden, but in Ireland many have a particular aversion to taxes on their homes. We are not alone in this. Elsewhere, taxes on homes are also unpopular; witness the People's Initiative to Limit Property Taxation which forced the California state government to cut property taxes. Nevertheless, residential property taxes remain an almost universal feature of developed countries because of compelling economic arguments for them. Also, local property taxes are regarded as the best means of funding local government.

Rarely, it seems to me, is there such a distance between what the public wants and …

Remembering Lee Metcalf, Evan Barrett

Highlands College

A Montana Public Radio Commentary from Evan Barrett.

Published newspaper columns written by Evan Barrett on this topic, which vary somewhat in content from this commentary, appeared in the following publications:

Havre Daily News, February 27, 2013

Ravalli Republic, February 28, 2013

Bozeman Daily Chronicle, March 4, 2013

Helena Independent Record, March 4, 2013

Montana Standard, March 13, 2013

Missoulian, March 22, 2013

Putin’S Cruel Politics Behind The Ban On Russian Adoptions, Nicholas Hayes

University Chair in Critical Thinking Publications

No abstract provided.

The End Of Anarchy: Weapons Of Mass Destruction And The States System, Gregory Edward Johnson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The basis of this thesis is that weapons of mass destruction will continue to proliferate and will inevitably - given enough time- be used against civilian populations repeatedly.

As this occurs the opposition between support for international law and the power of the state will intensify. This will go on for some time and will, in all probability, become extremely destructive. Eventually, however, the states (and individual people) of the world will realize that the simultaneous existence of international anarchy and weapons of mass destruction runs counter to long term human survival. This realization will , very likely, lead people …

Memory And Truth In Human Rights: The Argentina Case. The Issue Of Truth And Memory In The Aftermath Of Gross Human Rights Violations In Argentina., Andres Delgado

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis focuses on the importance of truth and memory in the process of transitional justice, within the context of the aftermath of gross violations of human rights that occurred during the military dictatorship of 1976 to 1983 in Argentina. The military junta that ruled Argentina took power under the pretext of national security, arguing that an enemy threatened to destabilize and destroy Argentine society. During the period of the military dictatorship an estimated 30,000 people "disappeared"; relatives of those disappeared mobilized and formed human rights organizations to confront the military regime for its abuses. Once the dictatorship collapsed and …

Westerman, Robert Vaughn, B. 1948 - Collector (Sc 2675), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scans (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 2675. Letters, 1908-1979, relating mostly to political campaigns for U S. president, Kentucky governor, and other offices. Includes letters soliciting support for developing the Abraham Lincoln birthplace farm into a national park. Also includes several letters and documents related to political affairs in Daviess County.

The Pedagogical Value Of Polling: A Coordinated 2012 Exit Poll Project Across Diverse Classrooms, Jennifer Kelkres Emery, Alison D. Howard, Jocelyn Evans

Collected Faculty Scholarship

Several previous studies have demonstrated that student exit polling has educational value and promotes civic engagement (Berry and Robinson 2012, Evans and Lagergren 2007, Lelieveldt and Rossen 2009, and others). The authors of this paper have created assignments and an instructor's manual on running student exit polls in undergraduate courses. Three institutions used these assignments during the fall 2012 semester. Working together, these instructors created an opportunity for their students to participate collaboratively with others in survey design and data analysis. This effort further provided assessment data on the effectiveness of this pedagogical approach for student engagement outside of the …

Urban Forest Justice And The Rights To Wild Foods, Medicines, And Materials In The City, Melissa R. Poe, Rebecca J. Mclain, Marla R. Emery, Patrick T. Hurley

Environment and Sustainability Faculty Publications

Urban forests are multifunctional socio-ecological landscapes, yet some of their social benefits remain poorly understood. This paper draws on ethnographic evidence from Seattle, Washington to demonstrate that urban forests contain nontimber forest products that contribute a variety of wild foods, medicines, and materials for the well-being of urban residents. We show that gathering wild plants and fungi in urban forests is a persistent subsistence and livelihood practice that provides sociocultural and material benefits to city residents, and creates opportunities for connecting with nature and enhancing social ties. We suggest that an orientation toward human-nature interactions in cities that conceptualizes the …

Robert D. Kaplan: The Revenge Of Geography Study Guide, 2013, Steven A. Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Gatekeepers, William L. Blizek

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of The Gatekeepers (2013) directed by Dror Moreh.