Adam Smith: Providing Morality In A Free Market Economy,
2014
Bridgewater State University
Adam Smith: Providing Morality In A Free Market Economy, Kendra Tully
Honors Program Theses and Projects
Adam Smith’s Theory of Moral Sentiments (TMS) and Wealth of Nations (WN) appear to suffer from an irresolvable tension: TMS extols human sympathy whereas WN extols the consequences of self-interest. This paper takes a comprehensive approach, adding to scholarship on what has become known as the “Adam Smith Problem.” There are traditionally four different approaches to the “Adam Smith Problem” in the secondary literature; economic, political, moral, and “principles” approach. Through a textual analysis of TMS and WN that focuses on prudence, the nature of happiness and Smith’s rhetorical style, this inconsistency between his two texts disappears. The emphasis Smith …
No More 9/11s: Reconceptualizing National Security And The Creation Of An American Garrison State.,
2014
Macalester College
No More 9/11s: Reconceptualizing National Security And The Creation Of An American Garrison State., Jacob M. Waxman
Political Science Honors Projects
The NSA’s electronic surveillance program unsettled many Americans as an abuse of government power. In my research I reconcile this program with traditional American civil-military relations and conceptions of national security. I apply these theories to the Cold War and War on Terror, exploring how in both cases the US built a national security state using legislation, bureaucracy, and legitimizing rhetoric to respond to the Soviet and terrorist threats. I find that 9/11 expanded the American conception of national security, which precipitated the NSA surveillance program. Without significant public and Congressional pushback, the current national security state is likely to …
Biting The Bullet? Assessing The Genuine Advancement Of Human Security In The Arms Trade Treaty,
2014
Macalester College
Biting The Bullet? Assessing The Genuine Advancement Of Human Security In The Arms Trade Treaty, Selja Vassnes
Political Science Honors Projects
The Arms Trade Treaty is hailed as a historic achievement in advancing human security by requiring states to put human lives over profit in decisions about conventional arms sales. In this thesis, I critically examine this claim. First, I assess the extent to which the ATT text represents a genuine advancement of human security, and second, I consider whether the ATT's operationalization is likely to change states' priorities in arms transfer decisions. Through a textual analysis of the ATT and case studies of the arms control experiences in the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Canada, I argue that …
"Like Building A Human Being": The Construction Of Democracy In Contemporary Russia,
2014
Macalester College
"Like Building A Human Being": The Construction Of Democracy In Contemporary Russia, Mary Kennedy
Political Science Honors Projects
This thesis explores the themes and tropes of democracy that appear in Russian Presidents' Federal Assembly Addresses from 2008-2013. Based on its analysis of these important political texts, the thesis argues that Presidents Medvedev and Putin's democratic discourse places more value on economic security as a marker of citizens' ability to participate in society than on Western liberal values such as free speech, fair elections, etc. Additionally, the thesis suggests that this conception of democracy as a regime defined by the values of economic security and socio-political stability is fueled by a sense of nostalgia for the Soviet era.
The Specter Of Intolerance: Understanding Religious Violence In Pakistan,
2014
University of Connecticut
The Specter Of Intolerance: Understanding Religious Violence In Pakistan, Syeda Haider
Honors Scholar Theses
The role of religion in Pakistani political and civil life has had a defining role in the political development of the nation. The country is now a breeding ground for religious extremism, with militant groups conducting brutal attacks against the Shia, Ahmedi, Christian and Hindu communities of Pakistan. There have been few explanations attempting to describe the problem of religious violence domestically, within Pakistan’s borders towards Pakistani citizens. This essay examines how, despite Pakistan’s initial conception as a secular state, the country has become haunted by intense religious violence. It links the lack of consensus around national identity with the …
Argentina's 2001 Default: Foreign Policy Considerations And Consequences,
2014
Gettysburg College
Argentina's 2001 Default: Foreign Policy Considerations And Consequences, Joshua K. Alley
Celebration
Argentina’s 2001 default was at the time the largest in history, with the Peronist government of Adolfo Rodriguez Saa declaring a cessation of payments on over 80 billion dollars in government bonds. Historically, the political science and economics literatures have emphasized the economic considerations surrounding the decision to default. Recent literature has explored the political motivations for default, but there has been little scholarship on the possible political consequences of default. Some authors have emphasized that default can have important audience costs for leaders, but other issues have been left unexplored. However, it is clear that Argentina’s 2001 default had …
Freezing Out The Nukes,
2014
Political Science
Freezing Out The Nukes, Erika Simpson
Political Science Publications
No abstract provided.
Tangled Nets: Evaluating The Status Of International Cooperation On Sustainable Fisheries Management In The North Atlantic,
2014
College of the Holy Cross
Tangled Nets: Evaluating The Status Of International Cooperation On Sustainable Fisheries Management In The North Atlantic, Colin Beaumont
Washington Semester Program
No abstract provided.
Perfect Timing: The Rise Of Women’S Political Leadership During Cultural Shifts,
2014
Oglethorpe University
Perfect Timing: The Rise Of Women’S Political Leadership During Cultural Shifts, Christie E. Pearce
Oglethorpe Journal of Undergraduate Research
America has fallen behind in women's leadership, especially in politics. In the approaching era, there will be more viable female political candidates than ever in the past, but will the public be prepared to elect a woman to high office? Studies suggest that mentalities toward female leadership have taken a shift in a positive direction. The idea of what an 'ideal' politician must offer is more feminine in the modern era than ever before. In the age of social media, female politicians have opportunities to reach more constituents through social media in a more effective way than has been offered …
Nationalism And The Pressures Of War In 1812,
2014
Oglethorpe University
Nationalism And The Pressures Of War In 1812, Christie E. Pearce
Oglethorpe Journal of Undergraduate Research
One of the least understood wars in America's history-- the War of 1812-- gets a bad reputation for being a conflict without a victor. This paper strives to examine how the causes and actions of the war influenced the nationalistic culture of the US and eventually led to regional hegemony.
Climate Change Vulnerabilities: Case Studies Of The Maldives And Kenya,
2014
University of Connecticut - Storrs
Climate Change Vulnerabilities: Case Studies Of The Maldives And Kenya, Katherine A. Peinhardt
Honors Scholar Theses
This paper examines the political and social vulnerabilities of climate change, with the use of two salient case studies, the Republic of the Maldives and Kenya as exemplars of effects observed and projected. The susceptibilities for each nation are examined, with unique sensitivities highlighted and common themes synthesized between the two states. Examples of existing conflict, and implications of projected territorial conflict will be discussed. Policy outcomes will also be discussed for the situation of each nation, each with its own set of contextual sensitivities in the face of climatic shifts. Generalized policy options will be proposed for the common …
Decentralization And Ethnic Violence,
2014
Colby College
Decentralization And Ethnic Violence, Joseph Long
CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium
Analyzes the effects of three forms of decentralization on the incidence and intensity of ethnic violence in African states.
It’S Our Money And We Want It Now:Secession In Resource Rich Countries And The Role Of The International Community,
2014
Colby College
It’S Our Money And We Want It Now:Secession In Resource Rich Countries And The Role Of The International Community, Kiernan Somers
CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium
Tensions between the right to self-determination and existing states have caused many conflicts around the globe. Resource rich regions such as Katanga, Biafra, South Sudan, East Timor, Cabinda, and Aceh all had to go through the international community to gain statehood and were either granted or declined the right to self-determination. Secessionist movements frequently challenge existing state borderlines; however, few reach the ultimate goal of statehood. Secession attempts in resource rich regions, whether carried out by unorganized rebels, or a fully functioning autonomous government, are dependent on the international community for success. Through textual analyses of academic journals, monographs, and …
An Analysis Of Municipality-Level Election Results Of The 2012 Presidential Election In New York, Pennsylvania, And Ohio, And Comparison Of These Results To Those From The 2008 Presidential Election, Gregory Naigles
CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium
The 2008 and 2012 Presidential elections were both similar and different in many ways. On one hand, the Democratic candidate was the same in both elections, and similar strategies were employed by both sides in the two elections. On the other hand, the candidates formed slightly different coalitions, turnout rates were different, and there were some differences in which states the campaigns chose to focus on. I have analyzed the results of these two elections, particularly the 2012 presidential election, in the three states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, in order to try to determine where the election results …
Cold War, Chilly Memories: The Role Of Political Socialization On International Perceptions,
2014
University of Rhode Island
Cold War, Chilly Memories: The Role Of Political Socialization On International Perceptions, Allison Shea
Senior Honors Projects
A variety of agents aid in the political socialization process. Political socialization is the inheritance of political attitudes, beliefs, and values that explain one’s interaction with the political world (Riccards, 1973, p. 8). Parents, here meaning the primary caregivers of the child, however, are generally the earliest socializing agents in an individual’s life. The effect of parents on their children’s political views is both pro- found and lasting. Indeed, a child is more likely to “inherit” the party preference of their parents “than they are to inherit any other social predisposition except religion” (Riccards, 1973, p. 40). In the early, …
Competing For Federal Grant Dollars In Nevada,
2014
Lincy Institute
Competing For Federal Grant Dollars In Nevada, Cyndy Ortiz Gustafson, Jennifer Ouellette
Lincy Institute Reports and Briefs
Federal grant funding in Nevada accounts for 19 percent of statewide federal funding, or roughly $3.7 billion a year. Federal grant funding consists of (1) formula based aid and, (2) competitive discretionary grant dollars. In the latter category Nevada is encouraged to substantially improve its performance and secure more federal resources for its citizens.
Central Asian Security: With A Focus On Kazakhstan,
2014
University of Central Florida
Central Asian Security: With A Focus On Kazakhstan, Marcus Bragg
HIM 1990-2015
This work focuses on the influence of terror, extremism, trafficking and corruption on the regional security of Central Asia, with a particular emphasis on Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is regarded as the most stable and financially developed state in Central Asia, yet domestic and regional stability are threatened by the rise in extremism, narcotics trafficking, institutional corruption and acts of terrorism. The challenges of trafficking and extremism within the region originated from outside of Central Asia. Foreign organizations and ideologies are significant actors in progression of regional instability. Government response to these challenges can perpetuate or stymie the aforementioned threats to regional …
The Effects Of Development On Policies In The Prevention Of International Human Trafficking,
2014
University of Central Florida
The Effects Of Development On Policies In The Prevention Of International Human Trafficking, Christopher Szczerba
HIM 1990-2015
Governments and leaders across the globe almost universally agree that human trafficking is a modern atrocity that has harshly negative effects for individuals, communities, entire states and the international community. Nevertheless, they are not in agreement on how best to investigate cases and provide aid to victims. Many states lack the resources to effectively create and implement policies. Governments must act to protect their citizens and people within their borders. Policies are necessary to correctly identify victims, investigate accusations, bring cases to trial and prevent vulnerable populations from becoming victimized through awareness. This thesis asserts that there is a link …
Communication, Class And Concentric Media Practices: Developing A Contemporary Rubric,
2014
Rutgers University
Communication, Class And Concentric Media Practices: Developing A Contemporary Rubric, Todd Wolfson, Peter N. Funke
Government and International Affairs Faculty Publications
Understanding class as a process of self-making in relation to a particular, historical form of capitalism, in this article we argue that media and communication (from face-to-face and old mediums such as radio to internet-powered tools) must be conceptualized as an emerging structural dimension for class formation. Based on ethnographic fieldwork on the Media Mobilizing Project in Philadelphia, a community-based media and communications infrastructure and a network of organizations across the region, we develop a conceptual approach we call concentric practices, which provides us with a framework of how contemporary class formation is occurring through the use of media and …
Girls With Guns : The Disarmament And Demobilization Of Female Ex-Combatants In Africa.,
2014
University of Louisville
Girls With Guns : The Disarmament And Demobilization Of Female Ex-Combatants In Africa., Emily Katherine Maiden
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Since the passing of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325, states recovering from violence have worked to integrate females into peacemaking and peacebuilding processes. However, many states—particularly in Africa—struggle to craft policy that properly integrates female ex-combatants into disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programs. Much of the literature on this subject focuses on how women and girls are reintegrated and rehabilitated into civilian society. However, the first vital steps in the DDR process are disarmament and demobilization. Utilizing the Peace Accords Matrix, I analyze a number of recent cases in Africa to examine ways in which DDR policy can be improved …
