Political Science Commons^™

The Arab Spring In North Africa: Key Comparative Factors And Actors, Robert Fuhrer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzed the revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya (North Africa) beginning in late 2010. The first part of the study focused on variables that the North African revolutions shared. These variables were "personalistic-style of dictatorship", "sizable percentage of youth in population", and "economic context". These factors were then discussed as major descriptive variables that caused the revolutionary events in North Africa. The second part of the study assessed why each North African revolution resulted in varying levels of violence. Concluding thoughts were made regarding the similarities and differences between the 2009 Iranian Green Revolution, events in other North …

Prominent Peripheries: The Role Of Borderlands In Central Africa’S Regionalized Conflict., Lindsay Scorgie

Faculty Publications

The Great Lakes region of Central Africa has been beset by conflict for close to two decades now. Aside from the unprecedented humanitarian consequences, the most striking feature of the violence has been its profoundly regional character. This paper seeks to explore how one might better understand the spread and cross-border nature of conflict in this region. It argues that the dominant contemporary model for explanation of regional conflict, with its overwhelmingly state-centric orientation, is inadequate in providing a comprehensive understanding of the structure of this type of violence. Rather, the so-called peripheries of states – borderlands – need to …

The Vicious Cycle: Fundraising And Perceived Viability In U.S. Presidential Primaries, Cameron A. Shelton, James J. Feigenbaum

CMC Faculty Publications and Research

Scholars of presidential primaries have long posited a dynamic positive feedback loop between fundraising and electoral success. Yet existing work on both directions of this feedback remains inconclusive and is often explicitly cross-sectional, ignoring the dynamic aspect of the hypothesis. Pairing high-frequency FEC data on contributions and expenditures with Iowa Electronic Markets data on perceived probability of victory, we examine the bidirectional feedback between contributions and viability. We find robust, significant positive feedback in both directions. This might suggest multiple equilibria: a candidate initially anointed as the front-runner able to sustain such status solely by the fundraising advantage conferred despite …

Imperium Et Sacerdotium: Universalism, Fragmentation, And New Medievalism, Jeremy Wells

Commonwealth Review of Political Science

Contemporary international relations theory suffers from a stubborn reliance on the Westphalian notion of the state system. Theoretically, the sovereign state is the supreme political unit in world politics and is the only political unit with access to international decision-making. However, in the real world, globalization has led to the development of a myriad of transnational associations. Added to the complex of regional, international, and even supranational governing structures, these organizations and associations have created a web of interaction that works above, below, and across states. While skeptics question the political ramifications of globalization, it is without doubt that modern …

Exploring Deliberative Democracy: Tribal Membership Meetings Under Indian Reorganization Act Constitutions, Jo Anne House

2010-2016 Archived Posters

This was a qualitative study of deliberation and participation in a tribal government setting. The results of this study identified high levels of deliberation and participation with a need to focus on improving the aspect of showing respect towards others. Improving deliberation can result in a more networked community, identification of a greater number of solutions, and greater acceptance of the solution selected.

Exploring Knowledge Sharing In The Department Of Defense, Melissa Ann Connell

2010-2016 Archived Posters

A phenomenological study using Nonaka and Takeuchi’s socialization, externalization, combination, and internalization (SECI) model explored the organized, continual method of tacit-to-explicit knowledge theory for organizational knowledge creation. Twenty participants shared their lived experiences in semi-structured interviews. Ten primary themes emerged, with results indicating the foundation for supporting the knowledge sharing process.

Becoming 'Holistically Indegenous': Young Muslims And Political Participation In Canada, Kathy Bullock, Paul Nesbitt-Larking

Data and Test Instruments

While media and the government often focus on the supposed "radicalization" of Muslim youth in Canada, our research explores the more complicated and nuanced political identities among 20 young Canadian Muslims. Using semi-structured in-depth interviews with these youth in the Greater Toronto Area and in London, Ontario, we explore these young citizens' concepts of political participation; conceptions of the self as a political actor; formal, informal, and civic political involvement; and the relationship between their religious and Canadian identities. Our research is grounded in a positive and pluralistic politics of care, respect, and engagement. We treated Muslim youth as similar …

Securitizing Citizenship: (B)Ordering Practices And Strategies Of Resistance, Catarina Kinnvall, Paul Nesbitt-Larking

Data and Test Instruments

This article builds upon Yasemin Soysal's early work on post-national citizenship as constituting sites of resistance in contemporary European politics. Post-national citizenship provides every person with the right and duty of participation in the authority structures and public life of a polity, regardless of their historical ties to that community. This celebration of human rights as a world-level organising principle is, however, constantly challenged by liberal discourses and practices aimed to securitise identities and citizenships through the bordering of space, place and identities. Proceeding from a critical take on securitisation, we propose that in addition to a focus on the …

Divided Diasporas: Southern Africans In Canada, Jonathan Crush, Abel Chikanda, Wade Pendleton, Mary Caesar, Sujata Ramachandran, Cassandra Eberhardt, Ashley Hill

Southern African Migration Programme

The protracted economic and political crisis in Zimbabwe led directly to a major increase in mixed migration flows to South Africa. Migrants were drawn from every sector of society, all education and skill levels, equal numbers of both sexes, and all ages (including unaccompanied child migration). Many migrants claimed asylum in South Africa which gave them the right to work while they waited for a refugee hearing. Many others were arrested and deported back to Zimbabwe. Migrants who were unable to find employment in the formal economy turned to employment and self-employment in the informal economy. These migrant entrepreneurs used …

No. 17: The State Of Food Insecurity In Gaborone, Botswana, Ben Acquah, Stephen Kapunda, Alexander Legwegoh, Thando Gwebu, Tirelo Modie-Moroka, Kesitegile Gobotswang, Aloysius Mosha

African Food Security Urban Network

The results of AFSUN’s study of the food security situation of the poor in Gaborone show that not everyone is benefitting from Botswana’s strong and growing economy and that many of the urban poor experience extremely high levels of food insecurity. The study, which formed part of AFSUN’s baseline survey of 11 Southern African cities, collected data on a broad range of issues that affect household food insecurity and found that four out of five households in the surveyed areas in Gaborone reported severe or moderate food insecurity. Only 18% were either food secure or mildly food insecure. Income level …

A Comparative Analysis Of Ghana's First-Past-The-Post (Fptp) Electoral System And The Proportional Representation (Pr) System, Joseph Kingsley Adjei

Journal of Global Initiatives: Policy, Pedagogy, Perspective

Electoral systems translate the votes cast in a general election into seats won by parties and candidates. The choice of an electoral system is one of the most important institutional decisions for any democracy. In fact, the choice of a particular electoral system has a profound effect on the country concerned. Yet, once an electoral system has been used for some time, its impact on the political life of the country may be less recognized. Against this background, this paper provides an analysis of Ghana’s First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) electoral system and juxtaposes it against the Proportional Representation (PR) system to see …

Cuotas En Materia Electoral: Frecuencia Y Eficacia, Richard E. Matland

Political Science: Faculty Publications and Other Works

El presente artículo se aparta del nivel relativamente detallado de países y regiones individuales para generalizar acerca de las cuotas de género a nivel global. Quise usar lecciones de trabajos anteriores y presentar información estadística que cubre a las aproximadamente 200 naciones independientes del mundo. Asimismo, el artículo considera qué factores condujeron a la adopción de las cuotas de género, para lo cual llevo a cabo pruebas para ver si los procesos que hicieron posible tal adopción varían sistemáticamente entre los tipos de cuotas. En el análisis estadístico presentado observo dos clases diferentes de cuotas: primero, las cuotas establecidas a …

Edmund Burke On The Moral Imagination Study Guide, Steven Alan Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Ancients, Moderns, And Americans: The Case Of Tyranny, Alexandria Larose

Undergraduate Review

American political thought’s reliance on modern, liberal thinking raises questions about its ability to fully and properly understand tyranny. According to Leo Strauss (2000), this lack of understanding, or total misunderstanding, stems from America’s failure to return to the political thought of the ancients. Ancient philosophy provides one with the normative criteria by which it becomes possible to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy regimes. This project assesses the argument of Strauss through a textual analysis of Locke’s Second Treatise and The Declaration of Independence. The analysis conducted finds no evidence to suggest that American political thought provides an understanding of …

Evaluation Of The Marketing Strategies Of The Case Management Society Of America, Veronica Chepak

Master in Public Administration Theses

No abstract provided.

Wireless Cell Towers And Antennae: Municipal And Private Relationship, James M. Collins

Master in Public Administration Theses

No abstract provided.

A Youth Revolt: Discerning The Impact Of “One-And-Done” Rule On Major Collegiate Championship Teams At The Division I Level, Erik Harris

Master in Public Administration Theses

No abstract provided.

Not Too Peaceful: Maritime Rifts And Governance Crises In China, Joseph Tse-Hei Lee

Faculty_Staff_Showcase

Much attention has been paid to China’s determination to exert its influence over the East and South China seas using both political and military power. The final few weeks of 2013 saw a rapid deterioration of the diplomatic goodwill that China had built with its maritime neighbours over the past several decades, threatening regional stability and risking an arms race with the U.S., Japan, and Southeast Asia. This article draws on some snapshots of the latest sovereignty disputes in the East and South China seas and the bilateral ties across the Taiwan Strait to discuss the continuities and breakpoints in …

Sistemas Eleitorais E Prevaricação No Congresso: Comparando Senadores E Deputados Brasileiros Em Casos Na Suprema Corte, Taeko Hiroi

Departmental Papers (PS)

Este artigo contribui para o nosso entendimento da relação entreos sistemas eleitorais e improbidade legislativa ao examinar a questão dovoto individual, da magnitude do distrito eleitoral e da accountability póseleitoral.Estudos que enfatizam a responsabilidade individual do eleitorargumentam que sistemas eleitorais de voto direto, individual, promovemo bom desempenho por parte dos políticos eleitos e restringem sua máconduta ao permitirem que os eleitores identifiquem, monitorem eresponsabilizem os políticos em quem votaram. Outra vertente da literaturaafirma que distritos eleitorais de ampla magnitude asseguram adisponibilidade de bons políticos e competição eleitoral, o que reduziria aprevaricação. À primeira vista, sistemas de voto individual com distritoseleitorais …

The Curvilinear Effects Of Economic Development On Domestic Terrorism, Charles Boehmer, Mark Daube

Departmental Papers (PS)

This paper investigates the relationship between economic developmentand domestic terrorism. We argue states at intermediate levels of developmentgo through socioeconomic changes that result when traditional economiesare replaced by modern economic relations, which may lead to grievances andsocial mobilizations conducive to terrorism. The effects of economic developmentshould have a curvilinear effect on domestic terrorism. We test our theory usingthe GTD dataset and find support for our theory. We show that states at intermediatelevels of economic development are more prone to domestic terror attacksthan the poorest and richest states. Terror events would appear more likely wherestates fail to provide, or reduce, an …

What Will It Take To Build A North American Community?, Gaspare Genna

Departmental Papers (PS)

No abstract provided.

Building Coalitions, Making Policy: The Politics Of The Clinton, Bush, And Obama Presidencies, By Martin A. Levin, Daniel Disalvo, And Martin M. Shapiro, Eds., José Villalobos

Departmental Papers (PS)

No abstract provided.

Shaking The Military Pillar Of Regime Support: A Closer Look At The Factors Influencing Military Defections During The Revolutions In Egypt, Libya, And Syria During The Arab Spring Movement, Sarah Kruger

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

Using Egypt, Libya, and Syria as primary case studies, this project qualitatively analyzes the recent uprisings in each of these nations with focus on what factors influenced soldiers to defect. Paying specific attention to the role of the international community, the power of nonviolent tactics, the influence of ethnic and religious divisions, and examining what happens when the opposition forces turn violent, these decisions by military personnel are deconstructed by analyzing their triggers. While the topic of military defections is a fairly new focus in revolutionary studies, this research serves as a talking point and gives insight into where future …

The Rally Around The Flag Effect: A Look At Former President George W. Bush And Current President Barack Obama, Jocelyn E. Norman

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

The purpose of my research is to look at how the “rally-round-the-flat effect” affected both former President George W. Bush and current President Barrack Obama and uncover why Obama only benefited from the “rally-round-the-flag effect” once, even though he has dealt with numerous international crises. This research is valuable because it will illustrate how the rally effect affects different presidents and uncover the outside factors that caused Obama’s approval ratings to remain stagnant during time of international crisis. In addition, it will hopefully disprove the notion that crisis or war automatically increases the popularity of a President.

An Arms Race Or Bureaucratic Dogfight? Assessing The Underlying Causes Of India’S Nuclear Force Development, Drew Stommes

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

States have developed military capabilities throughout the history of the nation-state international system. Examples include the Anglo-German naval arms race at the beginning of the 21^st century and the United States-Soviet Union arms competition during the cold War. One contemporary example of an arms buildup can be seen with the expansion and enhancement of India’s nuclear arsenal. Drawing from two broad bodies of literature that focus on the role of external and internal causes of arms buildups, I argue that India’s nuclear buildup has been caused primarily by the external threat posed by Pakistan, and less so by China. …

Democracy, Market Solutions, And Educative Institutions: A Perspective On Neoliberalism, John Buschman

Library Publications

No abstract provided.

Historical Roots Of Faith (In The Market): Neoliberalism Before The “Neo”, John Buschman

Library Publications

No abstract provided.

Factors Influencing Voter Behavior In Two Inner-City Communities In Jamaica, Apollone S. Reid

2010-2016 Archived Posters

A phenomenological study explored the decision making process of voters in two inner-city communities in Jamaica, wherein results of three consecutive general elections showed homogenous voting in favor of incumbent candidates. Voting behavior examined through theoretical frameworks of reciprocal determinism and counter-control supported influences among environmental, cognitive, and behavioral factors.

Hegemony And Humanitarian Norms: The Us Legitimation Of Toxic Violence, Eric Bonds

History and American Studies Articles

Despite widespread beliefs that the United States has not used chemical weapons since the distant past of World War I, this study suggests a more complicated history by examining U.S. use of herbicides and incapacitating gases in the Vietnam War and its use of herbicides in the "War on Drugs." This article places such use of toxic violence within a context of U.S. hegemony, by which U.S. officials have used contested forms of violence to secure geopolitical goals, but have also been pressured to comply with humanitarian norms or-when there is a gap between norms and state policy-to do legitimating …

All Punishment Is Local: The Effects Of Jurisdictional Context On Sentence Length, Elsa Y. Chen

Political Science

Objectives
This article investigates the extent to which contextual and individual factors influence the length of prison sentences in California.

Methods
The analysis applies a hierarchical linear model to individual and county-level data.

Results
Some characteristics of the racial, organizational, and public safety environments are found to influence the length of prison terms.

Conclusions
The findings support the organizational maintenance perspective and the idea of minority incarceration as a response to a perceived crime threat. Political environment is not found to have a significant effect on sentence lengths, and the findings do not support the racial threat hypothesis. The effects …