International Relations Commons^™

Integration Through Reform: Le Conflit That Shaped The European Union, Ricardo E. Arellanes

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

Historians and political scientists have highlighted Charles de Gaulle’s initial hostility towards European integration and tended to ignore his nationalist policies in favor of a focus on pan-European free trade systems. They have also argued that de Gaulle’s vision of establishing a “European Europe” created more problems than solutions. These scholars have primarily approached the question through a realist perspective, holding that de Gaulle believed that total integration would allow larger nations to manipulate smaller ones. This essay argues the opposite. In his effort to restore France’s reputation as a strong world power, de Gaulle actually helped to reinforce the …

Sweden And Denmark’S Approach To Public Housing For Refugees In Response To The 2015 European Refugee Crisis, Julia Kearney

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

Housing is a critical aspect of social policy for refugees, as it serves as the foundation for their integration into a new society. While recognized as important, providing housing for refugees can be quite challenging for countries. This was particularly apparent during the 2015 European migrant crisis, when more than a million refugees, mainly from Syria, Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan, flooded into Europe. Recipient countries did and continue to adopt varying policies when it comes to providing housing for refugees. This paper analyzes Denmark and Sweden’s response to the migration crisis and shows that the two countries had starkly different …

Child Benefit Cash Transfers In Ireland And Canada: A Comparative Analysis Of Welfare Policy, Ang D. Lee

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

Child benefit programs involving periodic cash transfers to parents have become increasingly embraced by governments worldwide. This paper investigates policy variance between child benefit cash transfers in Ireland and Canada, two countries with ostensibly similar welfare states. While Canadian child benefits shrink as household income grows, in Ireland cash transfers are set at a universal flat rate that is irrespective of family circumstance. On the other hand, Canadian parents receive far more generous payouts than their Irish counterparts despite means-testing. To determine the drivers of such policy divergence, I empirically test six theoretical paradigms from literature by leveraging several cross-national …

Croatia As A Model For A Democratic Balkans, Jacob J. Smith

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

Despite a decade of authoritarian rule under former President-Prime Minister Franjo Tudjman, Croatia is now the only Balkan State with a consolidated democracy and EU membership. Through analyzing historical events, V-Dem scores, and trade, this paper argues that democratization in Croatia only occurred because of underlying structural and social conditions conducive to democracy, followed by a second wave of democratization facilitated by EU accession standards. This research helps us understand how states recover from communism, what indicators suggest a state is nearing democratization, and how the EU should approach incentivizing democracy in neighboring states. If the EU implements policy reflecting …

Eu (Legal) Statecraft In An Age Of Coercion, Peter H. Vartanian

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

How has the European Union transformed its policy arsenal to counter coercion? This work introduces geo-legality—a condition wherein legal-normative authority counters external coercion—examining how the EU has redefined its self-defense amid contemporary rivalry between great powers (such as itself and China). Analyzing China’s 2021–2022 economic coercion against Lithuania, following Lithuania’s acceptance of a “Taiwanese Representative Office,” I demonstrate how targeted pressure catalyzed Brussels’ institutional innovation, including the Anti-Coercion Instrument, WTO litigation (DS-610), enhanced investment screening, and reforms to the Blocking Statute. Through process tracing, comparative jurisprudential analysis, and Delphi consultation with 23 EU institutional actors, the present work reveals how …

Wine-Rs Or Losers: Assessing The Socio- Economic Impact Of Eu Regulations On Climate-Exacerbated Pests And Diseases In Northern Italian Viticulture, Kyley Fishman

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

As climate change creates extreme weather events, unprecedented disease and pest infestations, European farmers are challenged by these threats. Balancing sustainable and traditional practices while maintaining socio-economic stability under European Union agroregulations can be extremely difficult. An area of concern for the EU is viticulture, which is among the most climate-sensitive agricultural sectors. My study examines in what ways the EU’s regulations addressing climate-exacerbated pests and plant diseases influence the socioeconomics of different vineyard farms in Northern Italy. Three key socio-economic findings emerged from the analysis. First, top-down and research-driven management strategies can subvert local, place-based knowledge, which undermines traditional …

The History Of Nazi Neuroscience: Tracing Evidence Through Voids, Angela Gushue

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

During the Holocaust (1933-1945), voids were created by the destruction of ethics, morality, and human life. We can detect this absence because of material traces of the events. My paper applies the theory of relational ontology of absence to a collection of empty jars on display at the Josephinum, a medical history museum in Vienna. The jars once contained human remains of children murdered in the “euthanasia” program at Am Spiegelgrund, a psychiatric clinic in Vienna where 789 were killed during the Nazi era. These victims were not commemorated until the early 2000s, when the specimen jars were emptied and …

The Invisible Union: How French Policy Fuels Rising Euroscepticism, Robert D. Martin

Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

Despite France’s historical role as a leading and founding member of the European Union, the 2022 and 2024 legislative elections saw a surge in support for Eurosceptic parties such as the Rassemblement National (RN) and the Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP). This appears to suggest a rise in Euroscepticism among French voters. This paper aims to examine the cause of these shifting electoral patterns in France through exploration of the question: How do French voters’ perceptions of political disillusionment, economic strength and national sovereignty relate to their growing support for Eurosceptic parties? This pa-per concludes that a growing disillusionment with establishment, …

An Introduction To Ecofeminist Thought For International Relations Students, Vivian Ike

International Relations - All Scholarship

This article introduces students of International Relations (IR) to ecofeminism, its diverse approaches, and critiques. Ecofeminism emerged in the 1970’s following the history of the intersection between the transnational women’s movement and the global environmental movement (Kelleher 2019).

What Can Bird Poop Teach Us About The History Of U.S. Imperialism?: Guano Islands And Manifest Destiny Beyond Continental Borders, Eliot Fackler

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

In high school and college history courses, Manifest Destiny is often taught as a period when the United States expanded across the North American continent in the decades before the Civil War. This article outlines an inquiry-driven lesson examining the Antebellum guano rush and its devastating consequences to show that Manifest Destiny was also characterized by extracontinental imperial ambitions. It highlights the lasting impacts of the 1856 Guano Islands Act and links the guano rush to subsequent empire-building efforts, U.S. militarism, and ecological destruction. The article provides relevant background history, descriptions of possible class activities and assessments, and options for …

Payments Systems Portfolio: The Genius Act And Stablecoins As A Geoeconomic Tool, Ashu Ebot-Tabi

Graduate Scholarly Works

In-depth research paper discussing stablecoins: specifically how they work, their rise in popularity, and how recent legislation could be used to make them a tool to further America's global economic power.

Arms Up Or Down? The Effect Of International Organization Membership On Military Expenditures, Maria Christina Kardash

Student Publications

In this paper, I investigate the relationship between the total number of international organizations a state is involved in and its military expenditures as a percentage of GDP. Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative analysis, I find support for my hypothesis that the more international organizations a state is a member of, the less a state will expend on its military. Qualitatively, I focus on the three main theories of international relations (realism, liberalism, and constructivism) to construct a theoretical foundation for my paper. Under realism, I focus on free riding behavior, under liberalism, I center on non-military priorities, and under …

From Seapower To Shining Seapower, Michael Lee

Publications and Research

The liberal world order is dead: the United States has abandoned both the domestic and international institutional commitments that enabled it to function. How can liberal democracy survive in an increasingly hostile world? How can liberal democracies grow powerful enough to defend themselves without becoming the empires they fear? I argue that seapowers have historically represented a distinct kind of hegemon, that is more amenable to international cooperation, and democracy at home. Moreover, the transition from declining seapowers to rising ones has played a vital role in preserving a space for more liberal states (relative to their historical context), such …

Turkish Eyes For America: How Turkey Embraced The United States In The Interwar Period, Jack Goodwin

The Ozark Historical Review

This research discusses the unique relationship developed between the United States and Turkey between world wars and invites us to reconsider the popular understanding of the United States’ place in Turkey and questions the ways American officials believed were the most effective at spreading their national ideals and culture.

Realidades De Las Organizaciones De La Sociedad Civil En México: Índice De Fomento A Las Actividades De Las Osc, Pablo Armando González Ulloa Aguirre

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Este artículo presenta los hallazgos derivados de la construcción de un Índice que evalúa el estado del fomento de las Organizaciones de la Sociedad Civil (OSC) en las 32 entidades federativas de México durante el año 2021. También describe los criterios considerados en la construcción del Índice y los resultados obtenidos en cada una de sus dimensiones. El Índice proporciona una perspectiva integral y multidimensional sobre el estudio del fomento a las OSC, analizando las dimensiones legal, institucional y programática con el objetivo de comparar los avances y los retrocesos en este ámbito. Al hacerlo, ofrece una oportunidad para mejorar …

Rethinking The Narrative Of Turkey’S July 15 Events: An Intelligence Operation Disguised As A Coup Attempt, Mustafa Kirisci, Ibrahim Kocaman, Murat Balci

Publications

Academia, think tanks, and international media have largely adopted the Turkish government’s narrative that the events of July 15, 2016, constituted a failed coup attempt. This dominant framing has shaped policy responses and scholarly interpretations despite the authoritarian context in which it was crafted. Many Turkish and Western scholars accepted the Turkish government’s narrative that the July 15 events were a failed coup attempt. They often rely on surface-level indicators and official statements without critically engaging with available evidence. Also, they disregarded substantial evidence and defendants’ statements in judicial proceedings that directly contradict official statements. One notable exception to this …

Research Summaries - Research For Practice: Joni September 2025 Issue, Erica Jensen, Emma Indart, Emilyn Watkins, Faith Manchester

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Program Evaluation: Best Practices And Examples For Nonprofits, Erica Bassett, Faith M. Manchester

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Mapping Nonprofit Data Accessibility In Latin American Countries: Early Insights From An Exploratory Comparative Study, Angie Holzer, Tania Hernandez, Ted Gray Barnes Jr, Noah Ellis, Sumasri Jasti, Hannah Chu, Nithin Kumar, Evan Campione, Louis Ye, Quoc Thai Dinh

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This paper presents findings from a global study of nonprofit data accessibility, focusing on Mexico and other Latin American countries. The analysis explores whether nonprofit databases exist, who operates them, what accessibility barriers are present, what requirements nonprofits must meet to register, and what registration costs they face. Using an exploratory comparative design, the study highlights both cross-country similarities and differences while situating nonprofit data systems within broader theories of transparency, accountability, and open-data governance.

Early insights reveal that about 70% of countries in Latin America maintain nonprofit registries, yet accessibility, usability, requirements, and costs vary widely. Registration processes range …

Tendiendo Puentes La Teoría Y La Práctica: La Visión Y El Plan De Acción Del Grupo De Afinidad De Investigación Para La Práctica De La Istr, Angie Holzer, Christopher Dayson, Dana Doan, Patricia Quinn, Michele Fugiel Gartner, Tayyeb Hadi, Carissa Van Den Berk-Clark, Ana Maria Sanchez, Farouq Aliyu Muhammad, Romina Farias, Christopher Einolf

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Sociedad Internacional para la Investigación del Tercer Sector Grupo de Afinidad de Investigación para la Práctica (ISTR/R4P)

Transparencia, Confianza Y Asociaciones: Fortaleciendo La Colaboración A Través De Datos Y Rendición De Cuentas, Sujeeth Reddy Sithagari, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Este artículo explora cómo la transparencia influye en la confianza y fortalece las asociaciones dentro de organizaciones sin fines de lucro y de desarrollo internacional. A partir de una revisión bibliográfica estructurada de artículos revisados por pares, tesis e iniciativas globales, como la Iniciativa Internacional para la Transparencia de la Ayuda (International Aid Transparency Initiative, IATI), este artículo destaca el papel fundamental de la comunicación transparente en la creación de confianza de las partes interesadas. Los resultados indican que, si bien muchas ONG recopilan datos sobre su desempeño y sus finanzas, pocas los utilizan de manera sistemática para elaborar informes …

Nonprofit Spotlight: Rising Violet, Angie Holzer, Tiffany Sowby

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

How Civil Society Organizations Build Resilience In The Face Of Financial And Political Pressures: Lessons From Czechia, Hungary, And Bulgaria, Merrill Sovner

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

How are some civil society organizations (CSOs) able to pivot and innovate in the face of political hostility and funding withdrawal, while others shrink or become inactive? It posits that it’s not just the external environment, funding, or degree of political pressure, but attributes intrinsic to each CSO that narrows the range of possible responses. It is based on sample of CSOs in Czechia, Hungary and Bulgaria that faced political pressures and funding withdrawal between 2010 and 2019. CSOs responded in three ways: reduced staff and expenditures, replaced lost funding while operating in a similar way, or reframed their work, …

Transparency, Trust, And Partnerships: Strengthening Nonprofit Collaboration Through Data And Accountability (Hindi Version), Sujeeth Reddy Sithagari, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

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The Inaccessibility Of Nonprofit Organizations Data In Sub-Saharan Africa, Barnabas Suva, Robert Bhero

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This article presents initial findings from a research study on nonprofit data across countries, focusing on the accessibility of nonprofit organizations in 49 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, following thorough research of accessibility data from nonprofit organizations, regulatory bodies, and nonprofit websites. Only 12% of countries maintain a functional public nonprofit organization database, and even fewer provide detailed, searchable registries. While 94% of countries legally grant nonprofit organizations tax exemption, mandatory reporting obligations are often not paired with public access, thereby weakening accountability. These findings situate data inaccessibility as an agency problem where principals (donors, policymakers, communities) lack sufficient information to …

Special Edition: Full Issue - Research For Practice, September 2025, Angie Holzer, Erica Bassett

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Transparency, Trust, And Partnerships: Strengthening Nonprofit Collaboration Through Data And Accountability, Sujeeth Reddy Sithagari, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This paper explores how transparency influences trust and strengthens partnerships within nonprofit and international development organizations. Drawing from a structured literature review of peer-reviewed articles, doctoral dissertations, and global initiatives such as the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), this article highlights the critical role of transparent communication in building stakeholder confidence. The findings indicate that while many NGOs collect performance and financial data, few use it consistently to inform external reporting or internal learning. Trust is found to be highly context-specific, shaped not only by data sharing but also by leadership humility, community engagement, and ethical governance. The study …

Mapeo De La Accesibilidad De Datos De Organizaciones No Lucrativas En Países De América Latina: Primeras Perspectivas De Un Estudio Comparativo Exploratorio, Angie Holzer, Tania Hernandez, Ted Gray Barnes Jr, Noah Ellis, Sumasri Jasti, Hannah Chu, Evan Campione, Louis Ye, Nithin Kumar, Quoc Thai Dinh

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Este artículo presenta los hallazgos de un estudio global sobre la accesibilidad de datos de organizaciones no lucrativas, centrado en México y en otros países de América Latina. El análisis explora si existen bases de datos de organizaciones no lucrativas, quién las opera, qué barreras de accesibilidad están presentes, qué requisitos deben cumplir las organizaciones no lucrativas para registrarse, y qué costos de registro enfrentan. Utilizando un diseño comparativo exploratorio, el estudio destaca tanto las similitudes como las diferencias entre países, situando los sistemas de datos de organizaciones no lucrativas dentro de teorías más amplias de transparencia, rendición de cuentas …

Bridging Theory And Practice: The Vision And Action Plan Of The Istr Research For Practice Affinity Group, Angie Holzer, Christopher Dayson, Dana Doan, Patricia Quinn, Tayyeb Hadi, Michele Fugiel Gartner, Carissa Van Den Berk-Clark, Ana María Sánchez, Farouq Aliyu Muhammad, Romina Farías, Christopher Einolf

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This article presents the strategic vision and comprehensive action plan of the International Society for Third Sector Research (ISTR) Research for Practice (R4P) Affinity Group, established to address the persistent gap between academic research and nonprofit practice in the third sector. Recognizing that practitioners are primarily focused on action and problem-solving while academics concentrate on knowledge accumulation and theory building, the R4P initiative creates a systematic framework for enhanced collaboration to maximize societal impact and advance evidence-informed practice. The R4P model employs a multi-dimensional approach through seven specialized sub-committees—Advocacy, Education & Training, Practitioner Engagement & Matchmaking, Research Accessibility and Sharing, …

Call For Papers For The Journal Of Social Encounters’ Special Issue

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.