Ruling In The Shadows: Analysis Of The Supreme Court’S Use Of The ‘Shadow Docket’ And Its Effects,
2024
University of Kentucky
Ruling In The Shadows: Analysis Of The Supreme Court’S Use Of The ‘Shadow Docket’ And Its Effects, Emilee Smart
Theses and Dissertations--Political Science
The recent increased use of the shadow docket has left the public and scholars with unanswered questions about how procedures influence outcomes and behavior. Many of these shadow docket cases have been petitioned to the justices as emergencies in very important policy areas such as immigration, abortion, elections, and transgender rights. I collect a large dataset of all outcomes of the Supreme Court's shadow docket from 2010-2022. I examine the language the justices use to justify their decisions made using alternate procedures. I find unique differences in the justifying behavior of the justices as well as significant differences in the …
Public Justice: Analyzing The Interactions Of Supreme Court Justices With The American Public,
2024
University of Kentucky
Public Justice: Analyzing The Interactions Of Supreme Court Justices With The American Public, Abbie Wood
Theses and Dissertations--Political Science
When and how do Supreme Court justices choose to interact with the public? What motivating factors spur a justice to make a public appearance? In the fields of political science, public law, and legal studies, research has overwhelmingly studied on-the-bench behavior. Scholars have analyzed judicial voting patterns, opinion writing, oral arguments, and more. Despite the prevalence and importance of non-decision making activities as well as the growing reporting by media outlets concerning justices' public appearances, there remains a lack of attention devoted to exploring how justices behave off-the-bench. In this dissertation, I seek to develop this neglected area within judicial …
Demagoguery And Political Rhetoric: A Comparative Analysis Of Father Charles E. Coughlin And Donald J. Trump,
2024
Dominican University of California
Demagoguery And Political Rhetoric: A Comparative Analysis Of Father Charles E. Coughlin And Donald J. Trump, Charlotte Moody
History and Political Science | Senior Theses
Many Americans can still recall James Madison’s warning against mob rule in The Federalist Papers. What Madison did not articulate as memorably, however, was that it is not the mob we need to fear, but the demagogue. Who is the one fueling the fire through their use of sensational rhetoric? A term from ancient Greek mythology, a demagogue generally means a persuasive orator and leader of the people. The historical demagogue has many iterations in modern American politics that continue to undermine democracy and justice. However, there has not been a comprehensive study comparing two of the arguably most influential …
Hablando Sobre Inmigración: How Members Of The House Of Representatives In 118th Congress Frame The Issue Of Immigration,
2024
Dominican University of California
Hablando Sobre Inmigración: How Members Of The House Of Representatives In 118th Congress Frame The Issue Of Immigration, Guadalupe Castañeda Martinez
History and Political Science | Senior Theses
Historically, Immigration has played a critical role in forming the nation’s identity, economic prosperity, and promoting cultural diversity. Considering that the issue of Immigration has been in the news and is considered by many to be important and in need of policy solutions, little progress has been made on passing comprehensive immigration reform since the 113 th Congress in 2013. How members of Congress talk about Immigration is important because framing can influence public opinion, shaping perceptions of the issue and affecting policy decisions. Members may use their platform to communicate how they think about policy issues. Research has been …
Speaking, Running, Leading: Black Women In American Politics,
2024
University of Kentucky
Speaking, Running, Leading: Black Women In American Politics, Sherelle A. Roberts
Theses and Dissertations--Political Science
This dissertation examines African American women as constituents, candidates, and policy entrepreneurs. It illuminates the ways in which Black women navigate the complexities of politics, while balancing their equally complex intersectional identities. It critiques the notion of African American women as politically marginalized actors and highlights the ways in which they surmount social, cultural, and political disadvantage to gain political success.
Judicial Independence: An Important Yet Fragile Concept Needed For The Democracy Of The United States,
2024
Arcadia University
Judicial Independence: An Important Yet Fragile Concept Needed For The Democracy Of The United States, Michael Johnson Jr
Capstone Showcase
My thesis explores the processes by which jurists are appointed to the bench to various State Supreme Courts through several selection methods. I delve deep into the extensive and intricate history surrounding judicial independence as an institutional concept, which has caused signs of concern for many legal and institutional scholars. My research aims to address the question: To what extent do the methods and mechanisms intended to safeguard judicial independence effectively fulfill their purpose? To answer this question, I use a pattern matching method to analyze a selection of six summary judgment cases–chosen randomly–from each state. Three cases where the …
Power Dynamics And Oppression: Analyzing Structural Control In Suzanne Collins’S The Hunger Games,
2024
Arcadia University
Power Dynamics And Oppression: Analyzing Structural Control In Suzanne Collins’S The Hunger Games, Hannah Micciolo
Capstone Showcase
The Hunger Games is a popular novel universe that describes a totalitarian dictatorship through the lens of the oppressed. Through the book, the viewer is given insight into how Panem operates the way it does even though the majority of its citizens are oppressed by the minority in a much more obvious manner. However, within modern society, the tactics used by the oppressors are much more ambiguous and distorted. This essay will explore the structures put in place by the Capitol in tandem with modern examples to mirror each other and increase awareness of the the tactics governments use both …
Resilience Amidst Barriers: Understanding The Plight Of Undocumented Filipino Tnts Navigating Restrictive Us Immigration Laws From 1986 To The Present,
2024
Claremont Colleges
Resilience Amidst Barriers: Understanding The Plight Of Undocumented Filipino Tnts Navigating Restrictive Us Immigration Laws From 1986 To The Present, Eileen Linchangco
Scripps Senior Theses
This thesis examines the plight of undocumented Filipino immigrants, referred to as “TNT” or “tago nang tago” (hiding and hiding), within the context of an increasingly restrictive US immigration system. I argue that two key factors have driven more Filipinos to pursue unauthorized entry into the US since the 1980s despite heightened risks. First, US immigration policy changes enacted in the 1980s and 1990s implemented stricter numerical caps that severely limited available visas for Filipino immigrants to use legal immigration pathways into the United States. Second, enduring sociocultural constructs propagate the notion that Filipinos represent immigrant desirability for US citizenship. …
Improving American Men's Quality Of Life By Economically Empowering American Women,
2024
Scripps College
Improving American Men's Quality Of Life By Economically Empowering American Women, Margot Rosenblatt
Scripps Senior Theses
In this paper, I explore the relationship between women’s economic empowerment and men’s quality of life in the United States. I created an index of women’s economic empowerment based on county-level data on labor force participation rates, rates of pay, teen birth rates, and families in which a woman is the primary income earner. I then created an index of men’s quality of life based on financial, physical, and mental health indicators. Adjusting for income, dominant industry type, age, population density, race variables, and environmental factors, I found a statistically significant positive correlation between women’s economic empowerment and men’s quality …
Recommendations For Generation Z Civic Engagement On College Campuses,
2024
University of Akron Williams Honors College
Recommendations For Generation Z Civic Engagement On College Campuses, Grace A. Edwards
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
Because there is little existing research specifically about Generation Z civic engagement in higher education in the United States, comparisons must be made with research about different generations’ voting and civic engagement patterns, specifically Millennials, since they share many similarities with Gen Z, and Gen Z civic engagement in different countries. This, paired with survey data and statistics about Gen Z civic engagement, provide a strong foundation for this project. To supplement this literature review, interviews with industry professionals were held to learn more about the environment of Gen Z civic engagement on college campuses. From these different sources of …
When Ballots Are Blank: Write-In’S Serving Local Government And The Implications For A Healthy And Vibrant Democracy,
2024
Hamline University
When Ballots Are Blank: Write-In’S Serving Local Government And The Implications For A Healthy And Vibrant Democracy, Thomas J. Ruter
School of Business Student Theses and Dissertations
Our democracy depends on having a supply of candidates running for elected office, but in some instances, no one wants to run. This phenomenological study asks what the effects on a healthy and vibrant democracy are if ballots are blank and the seat is filled through write-in or appointment. Rooted in democratic theory, this study explores small, rural city elections where write-ins won election. Understudied, local governments are responsible for decisions affecting the lives of millions of people each day. Workforce scarcity, the alienation of young Americans from politics, government bashing, nasty campaigns, threats of physical harm, and other barriers …
The Populist Wave: Unpacking The Global Drivers Of 21st Century Right-Wing Populist Support,
2024
Bucknell University
The Populist Wave: Unpacking The Global Drivers Of 21st Century Right-Wing Populist Support, Ellie Fallon
Honors Theses
This thesis investigates the underlying causes of the global rise in right-wing populism support in the twenty-first century. I will examine both the origins of these shifts in public opinion and their consequences for political systems and global interactions. My analyses will take two forms: (1) a cross-national analysis of the rise in right-wing populism in 34 of the 38 member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to explore the demographic factors that exhibit a relationship with populist attitudes and (2) case studies of right-wing populism in the contemporary United States (with particular attention to former …
Democratic Backsliding In The American States: The Case Of Judicial Independence,
2024
Illinois State University
Democratic Backsliding In The American States: The Case Of Judicial Independence, Meghan Leonard
Faculty Publications – Politics and Government
With ever-increasing gridlock and polarization at the national level, many new policy changes in the U.S. have come at the state level, including legislation that takes the form of democratic backsliding by restricting the right to vote, limiting free speech and expression, and gerrymandering state and federal legislative districts. A key component missing from scholarly discussion of federalism and the erosion of electoral democratic norms is the effect of federalism on the structure of institutions within the states, particularly on judicial independence. In this article, I examine the relationship between measures of democracy and introduction of court-curbing legislation in the …
The Impact Of State Legislative Activity On Judicial Independence,
2024
The University of Akron
The Impact Of State Legislative Activity On Judicial Independence, Alec Haas
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
The role of judicial officials to release independent decisions remains a vital component to the very existence of the judicial branch. However, due to disagreement over various individual court’s interpretation of their respective state constitution, numerous state legislatures have begun to introduce bills that significantly weaken state judiciaries. Many of these bills have statutes that lower the burden for judicial impeachment, remove jurisdiction over subject matter, change the election system for judicial officials, reduce the resources of the court, and introduce politics into seemingly non-partisan matters. Influenced by the passage of bills that weaponize state legislatures against the courts, this …
Renewing Voter Confidence In Election Outcomes: A Qualitative Examination Of Election Processes And Security Measures,
2024
University of Central Florida
Renewing Voter Confidence In Election Outcomes: A Qualitative Examination Of Election Processes And Security Measures, Hannah Barnes
Honors Undergraduate Theses
This paper explores the topic of voter confidence in U.S. election outcomes and seeks to identify the factors that influence that confidence. Given the increasing interest in questions surrounding election integrity and election security, it is important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the current election structure in America. By analyzing components of the election process such as voter registration, voting machines and other election technology, along with existing voting laws and proposed legislation, I highlight key areas where voter confidence is strongly impacted. Through this research I determined that by improving voter education and awareness of functions within …
Inflation Expectations And Political Polarization: Evidence From The Cooperative Election Study,
2024
Carleton College
Inflation Expectations And Political Polarization: Evidence From The Cooperative Election Study, Ethan Struby, Christina Farhart
Department of Economics Working Paper Series
Using a unique, nationally representative survey from the 2022 midterm elections, we investigate the partisan divide in beliefs about inflation and monetary policy. We find that party identity is predictive of inflation forecasts even after conditioning on beliefs about both past inflation and the Federal Reserve’s long-run inflation target. Partisan forecast differences are driven by respondents who express low generalized trust in others and have a high degree of political knowledge; high-trust and low- knowledge partisans make similar forecasts all else equal. This finding is consistent with the literature in political psychology that examines the endorsement of conspiracy theories and …
Declining Approval In The Supreme Court Of The United States,
2024
The University of Akron
Declining Approval In The Supreme Court Of The United States, Gabriella Thompson
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
American citizens are granted several freedoms by the Bill of Rights in the United States Constitution. The First Amendment established protections for the rights of assembly, petition, press, religion, and speech, the lattermost of which enables people to express ideas without fear of suppression from their government. Therefore, the general public is empowered to hold various opinions about the institutions that wield authority over them. Measuring public opinion is a crucial endeavor to those in power, as such work yields intuition for how different branches of government are perceived over time. The federal judiciary is helmed by the Supreme Court …
Florida’S Most Recent Anti-Transgender Political Policies And Their Effects On Transgender Adults,
2024
University of Central Florida
Florida’S Most Recent Anti-Transgender Political Policies And Their Effects On Transgender Adults, Jaron A. Sanchez
Honors Undergraduate Theses
During May of 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed multiple bills into law, which included House Bill 1521, Senate Bill 1580, and Senate Bill 254. Critics have regarded these bills to directly discriminate against transgender individuals and negatively impact their quality of life. The main research question this project seeks to answer is what impact these bills have, if any, on transgender individuals who live in the state of Florida. This includes experiences that negatively impact quality of life outcomes and mental health disparities. An online survey of a small sample of the population that self identifies as transgender, that …
How Super Pacs Supercharge Fundraising And Spending For Candidates In Presidential Primaries,
2024
University of Central Florida
How Super Pacs Supercharge Fundraising And Spending For Candidates In Presidential Primaries, Domenic Maglio
Honors Undergraduate Theses
The explosion of super PAC activity in presidential primaries since the 2012 election cycle prompts an examination of these organizations’ behavior and its effects on other types of committees. Specifically, this study investigates how fundraising and spending efforts by candidate-specific super PACs, or single-candidate super PACs, benefit their supported candidate’s principal campaign committee. Integrating data from the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and various qualitative sources, this study explores how candidate-specific super PACs are progressively exploiting their unique legal structure to fundraise for themselves and their candidate’s authorized committee. The probing reveals that candidate-specific super PACs steer …
Investigating Various Personality Factors As Predictors Of Poor Belief Updating Regarding Controversial Political Issues,
2024
University of Central Florida
Investigating Various Personality Factors As Predictors Of Poor Belief Updating Regarding Controversial Political Issues, Eric E. Haseman Jr
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Belief updating is a research area investigating how individuals refine or fail to refine their preexisting beliefs when confronted with corrective sources. Understanding the various drivers of poor belief updating in a political context is essential to maintaining an informed democracy, as the ideal voter in a democratic nation updates political misconceptions and false beliefs when presented with corrective sources. Despite the importance of this topic, the literature examining potential factors that could contribute to poor belief updating in a political context remains particularly limited. I aimed to address this limitation by recruiting undergraduates from the University of Central Florida’s …
