Please Don’T Kill Big Bird: The Crusade Against Public Broadcasting,
2026
Whittier College
Please Don’T Kill Big Bird: The Crusade Against Public Broadcasting, Paige Meyer-Draffen
Whittier Scholars Program
The sword and shield conservatives wield in their crusade against the CPB are contradictory constructs that represent the hypocrisy, greed, and monopolistic inclinations that underpin the efforts to kill public broadcasting. The Shield that conservatives stand behind is the rhetorical defenses employed to degrade the institution of Public Broadcasting. Arguments like protecting the American Family in the culture wars from programming like PBS’ Tales of the City (1993), or accusing NPR of being a biased, inaccurate journalistic outlet, and reducing PBS and NPR to only serving “wealthy, white, urban liberals and progressives, who generally look down on and judge rural …
Peace Agreements, Provisions, And Profit: How Peace Agreement Provisions Impact Foreign Direct Investment Inflows,
2026
University of Mississippi
Peace Agreements, Provisions, And Profit: How Peace Agreement Provisions Impact Foreign Direct Investment Inflows, Wendi M. Sheehan
Honors Theses
There are many provisions that post-civil war states may include in peace treaties. This paper seeks to analyze the inclusion of three specific provisions– political power sharing and political institutions, rule of law/property rights, and infrastructure and reconstruction– and their impact on the resulting foreign direct investment inflows into a post-conflict nation over the course of ten years. I hypothesize that states that include one or more of these provisions will subsequently experience higher FDI inflows. To test this theory, I used the peace agreement information from the PA-X Peace Agreements dataset and FDI inflow information from the United Nations’ …
How Ai Governance Differs Between Regime Type,
2026
University of Mississippi
How Ai Governance Differs Between Regime Type, Jackson T. Guillou
Honors Theses
This thesis will examine how artificial intelligence (AI) regulation and development differ across political regime types, arguing that governance outcomes are fundamentally shaped by institutional political structures. This thesis will draw on comparative frameworks analyzing democratic and authoritarian systems. This thesis will also include case studies of the European Union, the United States of America, China, and Russia. The study finds that democratic regimes tend to emphasize transparency, accountability, and rights-based regulation of AI. This often results in slow regulation of AI, but it is more ethically legitimate and constrained. In contrast, authoritarian regimes prioritize centralized control, strategic coordination, and …
The Influence Of The Federalist Society On Originalism In Supreme Court Opinions,
2026
University of Mississippi
The Influence Of The Federalist Society On Originalism In Supreme Court Opinions, Edoardo Santopuoli
Honors Theses
This thesis will investigate the influence of the Federalist Society on the use of originalism in Supreme Court opinions. To investigate this influence, justices that served on the Supreme Court from 1994 to 2022 are categorized based on whether or not they are affiliated with the Federalist Society. Then using artificial intelligence (ChatGPT version 5.3), ten Supreme Court opinions known to be originalist are used as a baseline for artificial intelligence to know what an originalist opinion looks like. Then, all majority opinions of the Supreme Court from that timeframe are scored from 1-10, with 10 meaning an opinion is …
Just War Theory And Coercive Non-Proliferation: Ethically Evaluating Nuclear Prevention Efforts,
2026
University of Mississippi Main Campus
Just War Theory And Coercive Non-Proliferation: Ethically Evaluating Nuclear Prevention Efforts, P. Walker Jacklin
Honors Theses
This thesis examines the ethics of coercively addressing non-nuclear states who are attempting to acquire nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons pose a serious danger on a global scale, so ethical analysis should balance these consequences with the coerciveness of state intervention. Just War Theory provides a useful framework that balances these considerations. Using the criteria of Just War Theory, this thesis examines two 21st century non-proliferation operations: Operation Orchard and Operation Midnight Hammer. I find that Operation Orchard fails the criteria of Just War Theory, while Operation Midnight Hammer satisfies the criteria. Making this determination is ethically risky, however, because our …
Party, Place, And Pocketbooks: What Shapes Americans’ Trust In Political Institutions,
2026
Washington University in St. Louis
Party, Place, And Pocketbooks: What Shapes Americans’ Trust In Political Institutions, Hwayong Shin
Weidenbaum Center Survey (WCS) Reports
Evidence from the Weidenbaum Center Surveys (Waves 6–8) suggests that trust in institutions has not simply evaporated. Instead, it is being sorted along several cleavages, such as partisanship, geography, and personal economic security. While trust in the federal government remains relatively low yet stable from May 2025 to March 2026, trust in specific institutions varies across partisan, geographic, and economic cleavages. This fragmentation of trust points to a potential challenge to the stability of American democracy.
Manufacturing A Confederate Martyr: John Yates Beall, John Wilkes Booth, And The Politics Of Postwar Memory,
2026
University of Texas at El Paso
Manufacturing A Confederate Martyr: John Yates Beall, John Wilkes Booth, And The Politics Of Postwar Memory, Corin M. Fyrdrian
Student Papers (History)
John Yates Beall, a Confederate naval officer and privateer executed by the United States in 1865, has often been remembered through a Lost Cause framework that casts him as a chivalric martyr and “victim of honor.” This thesis challenges that interpretation by situating Beall’s life, wartime actions, trial, execution, and postwar memory within competing ideas of honor, legality, violence, and Confederate nationalism. Through analysis of Beall’s military activities, legal arguments, newspaper coverage, personal writings, and later narratives, this thesis argues that his postwar image was not merely preserved but actively constructed. Lost Cause writers transformed his execution into a moral …
Know But Not Recognized? Québec, The United States And The Thresholds For Diplomatic Recognition,
2026
CUNY Brooklyn College
Know But Not Recognized? Québec, The United States And The Thresholds For Diplomatic Recognition, Thomas Forget
Student Theses
This thesis examines the conditions under which the United States would recognize an independent Québec diplomatically and how it would maintain stable institutional relations with it. It also examines the extent of Québec’s paradiplomatic network’s reach in the United States, and how it influences the relationship and the probability of recognition. Based on a qualitative case study using process tracing and conceptual analysis, the thesis proposes that the institutional density of the Québec-US relationship increases the probability of functional continuity and, potentially, of programmatic cooperation after independence. However, this would not lower the significant political, legal, and strategic US thresholds …
The Politics Of Sustainability: Corporate Environmental Responsibility And Policy Implications,
2026
Indiana University - Kokomo
The Politics Of Sustainability: Corporate Environmental Responsibility And Policy Implications, Andy Tuholski
Commonwealth Review of Political Science
This literature review aims to examine how political factors influence corporate environmental responsibility (CER) initiatives and the subsequent policy implications for environmental sustainability. By synthesizing existing research, it will (a) provide a comprehensive overview of the political dynamics that shape CER and highlight the role of policy in promoting sustainable corporate practices; and (b) offer information for policymakers, corporate leaders, and environmental advocates on fostering sustainable corporate practices through informed policymaking.
Commitment Problems In Political Situations Involving Multiple Strategic Actors And How Actors Try To Overcome Commitment Problems,
2026
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Commitment Problems In Political Situations Involving Multiple Strategic Actors And How Actors Try To Overcome Commitment Problems, Mohamud Ajama
Political Science Theses, Dissertations and Student Creative Activity
Commitment problems explain why multiple parties cannot agree on issues of concern due to a lack of trust, even when cooperation would benefit all parties involved. These problems take place when actors cannot make credible commitments about future behavior because of mistrust, uncertainty, or the absence of neutral enforcement mechanics, leading to delays, lack of cooperation, and sometimes conflict or war. Scholars have approached commitment problems from multiple angles. Fearon (1995) identifies them as empirically observable mechanisms that prevent states from reaching peace agreements. Powell (2006) extends this framework, arguing that commitment problems are due to the inability to bind …
Beyond The Rally Effect: U.S. Military Deployments And Their Independent Impact On Presidential Approval,
2026
University of South Dakota
Beyond The Rally Effect: U.S. Military Deployments And Their Independent Impact On Presidential Approval, Griffin M. Petersen
Honors Thesis
This thesis examines the relationship between the United States military and presidential job approval ratings from 1955 to 2021 through a mixed method approach. Using a multiple regression analysis, the study tested the independent effects of total active-duty troop levels and the frequency of active overseas conflicts while controlling for economic variables such as GDP and unemployment. The quantitative results indicate that while military variables are significantly correlated with approval in isolation, these effects diminish or disappear when analyzed alongside economic indicators. Specifically, the size of the military was a weak predictor of public approval, potentially due to low public …
Hospitalidad Sin Barreras: A Place-Based Approach To Resource Accessibility For Immigrant Communities In North Mississippi,
2026
University of Mississippi
Hospitalidad Sin Barreras: A Place-Based Approach To Resource Accessibility For Immigrant Communities In North Mississippi, Jackelyn Facio
Honors Theses
This project examines barriers to resource access for Spanish-speaking immigrant communities in Lafayette County, Mississippi. Using a place-based community engagement approach, the project incorporates mixed methods to produce a resource guide for Spanish- speaking immigrants in Lafayette County. Findings showed that access is shaped not only by available services, but also by interconnected barriers such as language, fragmented information systems, and concerns related to trust and safety. These barriers discourage individuals from interacting with formal institutions, resulting in a reliance on informal information networks. In response to the data collected from area residents, the project sought to centralize community input …
The Politics Of The Spotlight: Exploring High-Profile Witnesses In Congressional Committee Hearings,
2026
University of Mississippi
The Politics Of The Spotlight: Exploring High-Profile Witnesses In Congressional Committee Hearings, Wesley J. Templet
Honors Theses
This thesis examines how the use of high-profile witnesses in congressional committee hearings relates to legislative effectiveness in the U.S. House of Representatives. While hearings are traditionally viewed as venues for information gathering and oversight, they also serve as highly visible platforms for political communication. This study evaluates whether committees that devote a greater share of their hearings to high-profile witnesses exhibit lower levels of legislative effectiveness due to a potential shift toward symbolic activity. Using the Congressional Committee Hearing Dataset (CoCoHD), the analysis covers House committee hearings from the 105th through the 115th Congress. The data are aggregated to …
Paternalism Under The Guise Of Partnership: How Modern Treaties In Canada Fall Short In Building Nation-To-Nation Relationships Between Indigenous Governments And The Crown,
2026
University of Victoria
Paternalism Under The Guise Of Partnership: How Modern Treaties In Canada Fall Short In Building Nation-To-Nation Relationships Between Indigenous Governments And The Crown, Maci Clements
Culture, Society, and Praxis
Indigenous nations in Canada have an inherent right to self-determination of their governments and traditional territory; however, how best to implement and ensure this right remains up for debate within Indigenous scholarship. In contrast to such debates, the Canadian State boasts the modern treaty process as the apex tool of Indigenous self-governance, permitting legitimate nation-to-nation relationship building. In this paper, I use an Indigenous feminist analytical framework to investigate if the negotiation and arrangement of existing modern treaties successfully accomplish the goal of creating a nation-to-nation partnership between Indigenous nations and the Crown. Following a critical reading of the modern …
The Ramifications Of German Ostpolitik: How Germany’S Foreign Policy Influenced The Russia-Ukraine Conflict,
2026
Fordham University
The Ramifications Of German Ostpolitik: How Germany’S Foreign Policy Influenced The Russia-Ukraine Conflict, John Aton
Senior Theses
German Ostpolitik, established during the Cold War, was the main foreign policy of Germany emphasizing international cooperation and diplomatic engagement with Russia. As the Russia-Ukraine conflict remains active, the challenges of this particular foreign policy’s adoption are evident within certain actions and decisions Germany made in the pursuit of mutual cooperation with Russia. By conducting a thorough analysis of the historical events in German Ostpolitik’s formation and its security policy, while assessing Germany’s leap for economic interdependence alongside Russia, this paper reveals a troubling dynamic where certain actions taken under the doctrine of German Ostpolitik influenced Germany to misjudge and …
Gender And Grades: The Gap In How Men And Women Fear Economic Collapse,
2026
Chapman University
Gender And Grades: The Gap In How Men And Women Fear Economic Collapse, Riley O'Connor
Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters
Due to prescribed gender roles in society and wage gaps, historically, women have had to rely on spouses and family for economic survival. Now, with access to higher education and increased salaries, their economic fears are shifting. In this paper I analyze the extent of the gender gap in the fear of economic and financial collapse of Americans. Using the Chapman Survey of American Fear, an original data set surveying the degree to which American adults fear incidents collected in spring of 2025, men and women of the same education fear economic collapse differently, signifying men fear economic collapse less …
Political Villains: America’S Perception Of Corrupt Politicians,
2026
Chapman University
Political Villains: America’S Perception Of Corrupt Politicians, Robin Nakamura
Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters
Online and social media sources have made political news more accessible and digestible than ever before. While beneficial, it raises questions regarding the truth and quality of political news being spread and the effects it may be having on the public. In this paper, I seek to expand on existing research regarding political corruption and online media sources. Previous research has highlighted the rise of disinformation in online news sources, noting that social media reporting does not necessarily hold government officials accountable. Using the Chapman University Survey of American Fears Wave 10 (2024), the relationship between fears of political corruption …
Does Feeling Threatened By Cultural And Demographic Changes Make People More Likely To Support Authoritarian Leaders In The United States?,
2026
Chapman University
Does Feeling Threatened By Cultural And Demographic Changes Make People More Likely To Support Authoritarian Leaders In The United States?, Jack Brett Krikorian
Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters
Does the perception of threat from cultural and demographic transformations increase a tendency to support authoritarian and nationalist views in politics in the United States? While current research indicates that demographic anxiety, rather than economic distress, has fueled support for authoritarian political figures in recent elections, there has been insufficient focus on whether such threat perceptions directly forecast support for authoritarian governance more generally. I argue that individuals who recognize heightened cultural and demographic threats are more inclined to support robust, authoritarian leadership, as perceived threats amplify the psychological necessity for security and order over democratic limitations. I utilize the …
Racial Differences In Voter Turnout: Evidence From The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election,
2026
Chapman University
Racial Differences In Voter Turnout: Evidence From The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election, Harrison G. Kundahl, Elena M. Warner
Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters
How does race impact voter turnout in the 2020 U.S. presidential election? Existing research shows that political participation depends on access to resources and civic skills, while institutional barriers such as voter identification laws can disproportionately affect racial minorities. However, less attention has been given to whether these disparities persist at the individual level when accounting for other relevant factors. We argue that racial minority groups, particularly Hispanic and non-Hispanic “other” respondents, are less likely to vote than White (non-Hispanic) respondents in the 2020 presidential election. To test this argument, we use individual-level data from the ANES 2020–2022 Social Media …
Trust In Mainstream Elites And Right-Wing Voting Among Young Voters: A Comparative Study Of Germany And The United States Since 2016,
2026
Chapman University
Trust In Mainstream Elites And Right-Wing Voting Among Young Voters: A Comparative Study Of Germany And The United States Since 2016, Samantha Parrish
Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters
This study examines how trust in mainstream elites influences the likelihood that young voters (ages 18-25) support right-wing parties in Germany and the United States. While existing research links declining trust in political elites to the rise of populist and right-wing support, less attention has been given to the relationship among young voters. This project addresses that gap by analyzing whether discrust in elite independently drives right-wing voting or whether it interacts with other potential attitudes. I argue that lower trust in mainstream elites increases the likelihood that younger voters will support right-wing parties, but this relationship is also shaped …
