Department: Political Science (Arts and Sciences) ![[clear]](close-x.png "Remove this limiter")
52 matches in the database.
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1.
Akbar, Jason A.
Institutional Reform in Japan: The Impact of Electoral, Governmental, and Administrative Reforms on the Policymaking Process.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2012, Ohio University
► This thesis is a study of the institutional reforms in Japan, particularly…
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▼ This thesis is a study of the institutional reforms in Japan, particularly the impact of electoral, governmental, and administrative reforms enacted during 1990s on the current policymaking structure and process. It is well documented that the LDP politicians, government bureaucrats and powerful special interest groups controlled the policymaking process prior to the reforms. Different Japan scholars have offered differing opinions on the impact of the 1994 electoral reform, 1999 Diet and government reform, and 2001 administrative reform on policymaking process. Here I have evaluated the impact of the 1990s reforms by examining three policymaking initiatives of the Koizumi administration. I suggest that understanding the impact of the 1990s reforms requires examining the specific details of each policy initiative at each stage of the policymaking process from creation to implementation. My analysis suggests that the reforms significantly altered the policymaking process at certain but not at all stages of the policymaking. The reforms consolidated the policymaking process but failed to completely rid the influence of bureaucrats and special interest groups on policymaking.
Advisors/Committee Members: Takaazi, Suzuki.
Subjects: Political Science
Keywords: political reform; bureaucratic reform; electoral reform; party politics; Japan
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2.
Al Hawazi, Mo'ayed H.
Shiite School of Iraq and Support for Democracy: Textual Analysis for Statements of Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2008, Ohio University
► With the continuing violence in Iraq, the newly born democratic experiment is…
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▼ With the continuing violence in Iraq, the newly born democratic experiment is in danger. The lack of trust between major ethnic and sectarian groups in Iraq has been the primary cause for the crisis. In order to initiate an effective national reconciliation, the Shiites' assurances that they have no aspirations of instituting Iranian-like Islamic rule must hold credible by their partners in the Iraqi government. It also is in the best interest of United States to utilize Sistani's influence to increase the chances that democracy will be successful in Iraq. It must be emphasized that for democracy to succeed in Iraq, Islam must have a parallel guarding, supportive, and non-interfering role. Democracy has a solid chance in Iraq because of the presence of three interrelated factors; Sistani's support for democracy, geostrategic environment in Iraq, and the American support for the Iraqi democracy.
Advisors/Committee Members: Weitsman, Patricia A.
Subjects: Political science
Keywords: Shiite, Sistani; Iraq; democracy in Iraq; Islam; Najaf; welayat el faqeeh; Khomeini
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3.
Aoun, Madonna.
Political Structures and Political Violence in the Middle East.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2007, Ohio University
► This thesis examines the nature of the relationship between the political structures…
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▼ This thesis examines the nature of the relationship between the political structures of states in the Middle East, and the occurrence of political violence. The democratic peace theory prescriptions for peace are evaluated, in light of empirical data on political violence in the region. Political violence is seen as the result of the state formation process, the colonial legacy, and foreign interferences. The implications for policy-making are discussed in the last part of the thesis.
Advisors/Committee Members: Fanis, Maria.
Subjects: Political Science, General
Keywords: Political Violence; American Foreign Policy; Middle East; Political Structures
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4.
Arnold, Robert V.
Theory, Method, and Democracy in the Social Sciences.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2008, Ohio University
► This thesis examines the role of difference in methods and concepts in…
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▼ This thesis examines the role of difference in methods and concepts in the social sciences. The first chapter presents a summarization and defense of two variants of pluralism, methodological and conceptual, in political science. These pluralisms suggest that there is value in engaging with ostensible incommensurabilities across subfields. The second and third chapters extend the analysis to the rest of the social sciences and show how two individuals, Amartya Sen and Avner Greif, may be seen as embodying some of the virtues of the two pluralisms. In the final chapter, the discussion of social scientific practice is tied to a theory of deliberative democracy; this results in a new vision of methodological discussions as a site of democratic deliberation and a new way of understanding democracy as a process of inquiry into one another's differences.
Advisors/Committee Members: White, Julie A.
Subjects: Political science; Soil sciences
Keywords: methodological pluralism; conceptual pluralism; incommensurability; deliberative democracy; institutionalism; freedom
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5.
Arnoni, Kiersten L.
Challenging the Biopolitical: The Arab Spring and the Multitude.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2012, Ohio University
► This thesis, through an application of Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri’s theory…
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▼ This thesis, through an application of Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri’s theory of Empire, argues that a manifestation of the multitude is occurring through the Arab Spring, where the multitude attempts to create an alternative to the biopolitical production of Empire. Empire is apparent in the decline of sovereignty of the nation state and the transformation of sovereignty to global power networks. With the use of the concept of biopower, according to which control is exercised by entering into the consciousness and bodies of the population and all social relationships, I investigate whether societies of control are manifested in the Middle East. In particular, I inquire whether biopower, following Hardt and Negri, has become the foundation of life in some of the societies in the Middle East by way of influencing all social relationships. I argue that the Arab Spring and subsequent protests represent a manifestation of the multitude, which challenges this biopolitical production of social control that is characteristic of Empire. I, further, argue that the multitude manifests itself by entering into the terrain of biopower where, with the use of democratic uses of violence such as social media, effectively creates an alternative to the current global order of Empire.
Advisors/Committee Members: Fanis, Maria.
Subjects: International Relations; Political Science
Keywords: biopower; multitude; Empire; the Arab Spring
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6.
Aydemir, Ilhan.
Alliance in Flux: Turkey’s Alliance Behavior, from the Cold War to the Present, 1947-2010.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2010, Ohio University
► Alliance formation and cohesion have been a crucial factor shaping roughly all…
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▼ Alliance formation and cohesion have been a crucial factor shaping roughly all agendas in international relations with the growing effect of interdependency. By understanding the importance of alliances in world politics, one can see that alliances can promote peace and eliminate the tension and insecure environment of international relations. In this respect, this thesis focuses on the peace-promoting role of alliances rather than their war-promoting one. The Turkey-NATO alliance underlines this situation very well, starting with the Cold War. Accordingly, this thesis presents the alliance formation and cohesion behaviors of Turkey by looking at the Cold War and post-Cold War periods and attempts to discover how Turkey provides stability in the Middle East. In this respect, different alliance theories explain Turkey’s alliance behavior in different time periods. Turkey’s alliance behavior in contemporary history shows that it resolves conflicts and promotes stability through institutional cooperation with the Middle East while maintaining a military alliance with the West. Its western characteristics as a secular state with a western democracy and the only Muslim country in NATO make Turkey the only bridge between the West and the Middle East. In this respect, it will be argued that since interconnectedness increases by globalization, Turkey has been experiencing a high level of sphere of influence because of its historical, religious and ethnic ties and its geopolitical importance. Studying Turkey’s alliance behavior and its close historical and cultural ties with the Middle Eastern states not only questions Huntington’s clash of civilization theory but also promises to increase cooperation between the West and Islamic countries. Alliances, therefore, should be formed and operated as "proponents of peace" rather than “weapons of war”.
Advisors/Committee Members: Weitsman, Patricia A.
Subjects: Political science
Keywords: Turkey’s Alliance Formation and Cohesion; The Turkey-NATO Alliance Cohesion; Turkish Foreign Policy Analysis with Alliance Theories; Turkey, the Only Bridge Between the West and the Middle East; Weitsman’s Alliance Theory and Turkey
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7.
Ba, Oumar.
International Criminal Justice and State Sovereignty: An African Perspective.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2011, Ohio University
► This study argues that their history of colonization has made the African…
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▼ This study argues that their history of colonization has made the African states protective of their sovereignty and inclined to support a strong position on nonintervention. Furthermore, that shared understanding has fueled African leaders' opposition to the rulings of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the perceived abuse of the principle of universal jurisdiction. Through a constructivist approach and an interpretive method of inquiry, this study found that the African leaders have relied upon the African Union to present a common front in responding to this perceived legal imperialism. The concept of sovereignty has evolved in Africa from its perception at the single state level to a more unified notion a collective sovereignty at the continental level. Additionally, the implication of the ICC in the African continent often obstructs the resolution of conflicts and impedes on the peace processes through the means of diplomacy, power-sharing, and local forms of justice. Finally, the African states have considered the ICC and universal jurisdiction efforts to lack legitimacy and have sought to de-legitimize them accordingly.
Advisors/Committee Members: Ross, Andrew A. G.
Subjects: Agricultural Chemicals; International Law; International Relations; Political Science
Keywords: state sovereignty; international criminal justice; Africa; International Criminal Court; ICC; universal jurisdiction; legitimacy; de-legitimization
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8.
Bernath, Amy L.
Representations of Identity and the Crisis Triangle.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2007, Ohio University
► Examines representations of “Arab” and “African” identities in the Darfur conflict made…
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▼ Examines representations of “Arab” and “African” identities in the Darfur conflict made by American media, American government, and American advocacy groups in an attempt to determine whether these actors create primarily primordialist or primarily constructivist representations of identity. Changes in representation of identity over time are also considered. Media sources are found to create primordialist representations of identity. Inconclusive evidence indicates that government actors also create primordialist representations of identity. Advocacy groups are found to create constructivist representations of identity. Recommendations for further research are given.
Advisors/Committee Members: Aubrey, Lisa M.
Keywords: identity; Darfur; crisis triangle
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9.
Biddulph, Matthew John.
Population Control in Insurgencies: Tips for the Taliban.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2011, Ohio University
► This research examines the historical use of population control techniques by insurgents,…
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▼ This research examines the historical use of population control techniques by insurgents, and how the Taliban can profit from such lessons of the past. A greater understanding of the complex relationship that exists between insurgents and populations is intrinsically valuable, and by analyzing the ways in which the Taliban can improve their strategic outlook, it becomes possible to devise ways to counter such improvements. A discussion on insurgency theory and literature gives way to a comparative case study analysis. The histories and usages of population control by the Malayan Races Liberation Army, al-Qaeda in Iraq, and Hezbollah are analyzed, and from their various successes and failures are derived a series of recommendations for the Taliban on how best to incorporate population control into their own strategy. Though the Taliban have suffered recent setbacks at the hands of coalition forces, a patient and well executed strategy of population control can likely ensure their eventual success.
Advisors/Committee Members: Scarcelli, Marc.
Subjects: International Relations; Military History; Military Studies; Political Science
Keywords: Taliban; Afghanistan; Insurgency; Population Control; Coercion; Persuasion; MRLA; AQI; Hezbollah
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10.
Bittner, Nicholas.
PROCESS, STRUCTURE AND USE OF URBAN AND CITY CENTERS IN COLUMBUS, OHIO.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2001, Ohio University
► This thesis addresses authenticity's relationship with neighborhood centers using Columbus, Ohio as…
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▼ This thesis addresses authenticity's relationship with neighborhood centers using Columbus, Ohio as a case study. What is the process of an authentic city center's creation, who participates and in what form? And what is the structural organization of space produced by that process? Finally, the thesis addresses a third question critical to accessing authenticity. What are the uses within structures? Authenticity is closely associated with local citizen involvement in the process. Bittner assesses Columbus' various neighborhood centers through observations and both written and oral works, historical and contemporary. He concludes that authenticity occurs where the process is participatory with each local resident presenting his competing interests. To actualize a community center and to establish a multi-centered city, not a nuclei region as Columbus currently exists, the authentic process provides the opportunity for residents to express needs and interests as they arise out of this complex of relational identities.
Advisors/Committee Members: White, Julie.
Subjects: Urban and Regional Planning
Keywords: URBAN AND CITY CENTER; AUTHENTICITY; COLUMBUS, OHIO; PROCESS, STRUCTURE, AND USE; SPATIAL ORGANIZATION; DIRECT PARTICIPATION; COMMUNITY; POLITICS
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11.
Chen, Ping-Kuei.
Menace of Power: Russia-NATO Relations in the Post-Cold War Era.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2008, Ohio University
► This thesis explores Russia-NATO relations after the Cold War. It focuses on…
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▼ This thesis explores Russia-NATO relations after the Cold War. It focuses on how state power and perceived threat affect balance of power in Europe. The main argument in this thesis is that the Russian threat perceived by the Central and Eastern European countries created a security dilemma between Russia and the U.S.-led NATO. After the September 11th terrorist attack, the Central and Eastern European countries exploited the U.S.'s call of constructing a global counterterrorism alliance to satisfy their security needs, which increased American military deployment in Central Europe. However, this military expansion triggered an increasing NATO threat to Russia. It turned Russia's behavior from tethering to balancing NATO. Russia will most likely seek a trans-Asia alliance to ensure its security. On the other hand, although NATO alliance cohesion will be weakened temporarily since some NATO members are reluctant to provoke Russia, the alliance cohesion will ultimately increase because NATO allies will be forced to balance against Russia. In sum, the increasing military presence of NATO allies in Central and Eastern Europe will create a power competition between Russia and NATO. It will damage the Russia-NATO relations and bring instability to European security.
Advisors/Committee Members: Weitsman, Patricia A.
Subjects: Political science
Keywords: Russia-NATO relations; level of threat; alliance politics
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12.
Christian, Rachel N.
Campaign Advertising: Examining the Differences Between Spanish and English Ads in the United States.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2012, Ohio University
► This paper examines the differences between Spanish-language and English-language campaign advertising from…
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▼ This paper examines the differences between Spanish-language and English-language campaign advertising from the 2000 to 2012 primary and general presidential elections. The method used is a rigorous ad selection of Spanish-language ads with English-language counterparts that were aired in the same area at the same time. Each ad was descriptively analyzed following a precise set of criteria formulated in a coding grid. The main findings from this study showed that Spanish-language and English-language ads are different in that Spanish-language ads show more diversity, may exclude Latinos from American symbolism, show emotionally moving images, and consistently include five main issues: healthcare, jobs, economy, children, and education. This study also found an evolution in the campaign ads to be more inclusive of acculturated Latinos by using English-language ads to target the Latino community.
Advisors/Committee Members: Burton, Michael.
Subjects: Political Science
Keywords: Campaign Ads; Spanish-language; English-language; Presidential Ads; Evolution of Campaign Ads
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13.
Clifford, Stacy A.
The Politics of Autism: Expanding the Location of Care.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2006, Ohio University
► This project examines the identity of autism as well as its relation…
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▼ This project examines the identity of autism as well as its relation and subsequent effect on theories of justice and care. An ethic of care and an ethic of justice are both equipped with thick conceptions of being human that potentially exclude different identities, in this case, autistic people and their families. Both theories establish the home as the ideal and primary setting for care, but autistic people and their families may require an expanded and alternative location for care. Rather than embed an alternative perspective in a universal “view from nowhere”, I adopt a sibling perspective to analyze the meaning of autism as well as the consequences of long-term care. Siblings of people with profound disabilities represent the theoretical and contradictory locations of autonomy and interdependence. Analyzing how siblings maneuver in relation to disability may provide better insight into developing optimum public services for families with disabilities.
Advisors/Committee Members: White, Julie A.
Subjects: Political Science, General
Keywords: Autism; Disability; Feminist Theory; Liberalism; Queer Theory
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14.
Crews, Chris G.
Fortress of Fear and Borders of Control: How the U.S Media Constructs Mexican Immigrants as a National Security Threat.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2007, Ohio University
► This thesis seeks to document the construction of Mexican immigrants as a…
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▼ This thesis seeks to document the construction of Mexican immigrants as a national security threat in the U.S. media during the 2006 Congressional debates over immigration reform. This is done with both a qualitative newspaper content analysis and a qualitative critical discourse analysis. A random sample of 107 newspaper articles printed between 1/1/06 and 6/30/06 are analyzed from the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Houston Chronicle and USA Today. Using an analysis of two framing metaphors—Immigrant as Threat and Immigrant as Dangerous Waters—this thesis documents how Mexican immigrants, by being framed as a national security threat, have been used to forward a call to secure and defend the borders from a perceived threat to U.S. Anglo culture. This thesis shows how these calls are partially rooted in beliefs about white nationalism and the fear of Mexican immigrants seen as a foreign invasion.
Advisors/Committee Members: Perla Jr., Hector.
Keywords: Immigration; Mexicans; media framing; Homeland Security; National Security; border; H.R. 4437; immigration protests; Day Without An Immigrant; Great American Boycott; white nationalism; civilization; culture; constructivism; constructivist
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15.
Dach, Toni M.
The World Trade Organization's Dispute Settlement Body and International Economic Relations in the 21st Century.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2007, Ohio University
► Since the conversion of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)…
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▼ Since the conversion of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995, the Organization has faced severe difficulties in reaching trade-liberalizing agreements. One potential cause of this inability to reach new agreements is the waning of mutual interest between Member States on the norms of the regime. The norm of the GATT was well-described by John Gerard Ruggie as “embedded liberalism” – free trade with exceptions to ensure domestic stability. However, agreement on this norm has come under fire as some groups push for increased liberalization in line with more orthodox economic principles, while others continue to cling to the safety net of embedded liberalism. Using case studies from the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body, I pinpoint these tensions between orthodox and embedded liberalism, demonstrating how states, transnational actors, and the WTO itself have contributed to these tensions.
Advisors/Committee Members: Mosher, James S.
Keywords: International Law, World Trade Organization, Embedded Liberalism, Neoliberal Institutionalism
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16.
Elliott, Lauren R.
American Public Engagement and the Internet or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Net.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2009, Ohio University
► In the past decade, Americans have rapidly embraced the Internet for a…
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▼ In the past decade, Americans have rapidly embraced the Internet for a variety of uses. The proliferation of this new technology has changed the ways in which individuals interact with one another, and the ways in which they are organized to partake in political and/or otherwise public issues. It has also made it easier for citizens to become organizers themselves. As the Internet is a relatively new phenomenon in American culture, its implications for public engagement remain fairly unexplored. The ever-changing functions and demographic base of the Web require researchers to consider the most recent data and trends. In this thesis, I posit a conception of citizen participation called public engagement, which I situate in the context of Internet-use. Using various accounts of citizen participation and information from two recent national campaigns, I conclude that the Internet is beneficial in mobilizing citizens to engage in tangible participatory activities.
Advisors/Committee Members: White, Julie A.
Subjects: Political science
Keywords: Internet; public engagement; participation; deliberation; social capital
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17.
Feldner, Melissa L.
AN EXAMINATION OF HOW GENDER STEREOTYPES AFFECT VOTERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF STATE SUPREME COURT CANDIDATES.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2006, Ohio University
► This study examines how gender stereotypes affect voters’ perceptions of judicial candidates…
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▼ This study examines how gender stereotypes affect voters’ perceptions of judicial candidates for state Supreme Courts. Included are an overview of state court structure, the history and methods of judicial selection, and a discussion of court composition within the context of gender. This study’s objective is to contribute to literature that fails to address how voters’ use of stereotypes and perceptions of the judiciary combine to affect female judicial candidates. A survey is employed to identify ideal qualities of judicial candidates and perceptions of female and male candidates. The results illustrate that voters grant ideal judicial candidates with masculine characteristics, partisan stereotypes tend to take priority over gender stereotypes when evaluating candidates, and women and Democrats support court composition diversity more than other groups. The data does not support the conclusion that voters regard the genders as more competent in stereotypically gendered policy areas.
Advisors/Committee Members: Gordon, Ann.
Keywords: gender stereotypes and elections; judicial elections and gender; women and judicial elections; gender and state supreme courts
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18.
Forjwuor, Bernard A.
Between Democratic Promises and Socio-Political Realities: The Challenges of Political Representation in Ghana and Nigeria.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2009, Ohio University
► This comparative study explores the intersection between the perversion of representative political…
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▼ This comparative study explores the intersection between the perversion of representative political systems in Ghana and Nigeria and the performance of resistance. It draws heavily on psychoanalytical theory (as well as structuralism and constructivism) to understand how the burdens of colonial legacies and elite fantasies overwhelm the present representative democratic arrangements. From these theoretical lenses, the study further explore how these perverted political system legitimizes the marginalization of citizens and encourages the hijack of political spaces by elites. I concluded that the encroachment of public political space by elites trigger a resistive response from marginalized citizens.
Advisors/Committee Members: Abubakar, Dauda.
Subjects: Political science
Keywords: Representative Democracy; Politics in Nigeria; Politics in Ghana; Resistance; Elite politics; Marginalized citizenship
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19.
Garey, Julie Marie.
Presidential Decision-Making During the Vietnam War.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2008, Ohio University
► The relationship between the president and the people is often hard to…
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▼ The relationship between the president and the people is often hard to determine, especially in times of war. Several questions arise when looking at this relationship, including whether or not the president feels that the public is competent enough to formulate opinion and whether the president feels compelled to act as a direct result of incoming opinions from both the public and the media. The following analysis looks at the Vietnam War and the three administrations most closely dealing with the war - the administrations of John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Richard M. Nixon - to determine whether there is a direct relationship between the opinions of the people and specific strategies employed during the war. It also examines the relationship between the president, the public, and the media during the war.
Advisors/Committee Members: Weitsman, Patricia A.
Subjects: Political science
Keywords: Vietnam War; public opinion; Lyndon B. Johnson; John F. Kennedy; Richard M. Nixon; presidential decision-making
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20.
Giffin, Jessica L.
The Effects of the War on Terror on U.S. and Latin American Security Policies.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2007, Ohio University
► What effect has the War on Terror had on U.S. and Latin…
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▼ What effect has the War on Terror had on U.S. and Latin American security policies? Has the War on Terror impacted only the discourse regarding U.S. security policies with Latin America or has it actually altered policy implementation? This thesis argues that the War on Terror has changed the discourse surrounding its policies with Latin America but has not altered its policy implementation. This thesis examines this question by testing two policies, one with Colombia and the other with Mexico. Plan Colombia and immigration are analyzed prior to and after September 11. To determine whether or not the discourse regarding these policies has changed, a content analysis of Presidential speeches between 1996 and 2006 is performed. In order to ascertain any changes in policy implementation due to the War on Terror, changes in appropriations and how the government money was being spent was utilized.
Advisors/Committee Members: Perla, Hector.
Keywords: War on Terror; Latin America; Colombia; Mexico; Plan Colombia; Immigration; Security policies
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21.
Goodhart, Andrew T.
The Goldwater Nichols Act of 1986 and American Counterinsurgency: Comparing Afghanistan and Vietnam.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2008, Ohio University
► The Goldwater-Nichols Act was passed in 1986 to make the American military…
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▼ The Goldwater-Nichols Act was passed in 1986 to make the American military more capable of fighting conventional wars. However, in the post-Cold War world, the United States increasingly faces unconventional threats. This study examines the effect that Goldwater-Nichols has had on U.S. Counterinsurgency capabilities, comparing thecases of Vietnam and Afghanistan. It draws on bureaucratic theory to understand how changes in institutional structure affect warfighting. I conclude that the expanded power of the unified combatant commands and an increased focus on jointness has made the U.S. more capable of fighting insurgencies. Counterinsurgency in Vietnam suffered from a fractured chain of command and an overemphasis on offensive strategies. Afghanistan has seen a rationalization of decision-making and a greater focus on 'hearts and minds' strategies. Insufficient commitment from Washington civilian leadership, however, has deprived U.S. troops in Afghanistan of the resources they need to prevail.
Advisors/Committee Members: Weitsman, Patricia A.
Subjects: Armed forces; International relations; Political science
Keywords: Goldwater-Nichols Act; Insurgency; Counterinsurgency; Vietnam War; Afghanistan War; Bureaucratic politics; Realism; War on Terror; Military Structure; Unified Combatant Commands; Chain of Command
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22.
Hama, Ayumi.
Between Hope and Despair: The UN Observer Missions of ONUCA and MINURSO.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2009, Ohio University
► In modern international relations, the analysis of UN peace-keeping operations involved in…
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▼ In modern international relations, the analysis of UN peace-keeping operations involved in the civil wars is increasingly important because of its significant impact on international security. To understand the effectiveness and limitations of UN peacekeeping operations, first, I define the terms of successes and failures of peace-keeping missions and the fundamental factors for successful missions, and introduce realism and liberalism as the framework of the analysis in this thesis. Second, I examine two case studies – peace-keeping operations in Nicaragua (ONUCA) and in Western Sahara/Morocco (MINURSO). Finally, I will discuss contemporary UN peace-keeping and the theoretical implications on the case studies through the framework of realism and liberalism. The analysis reveals that the UN is useful in settling civil wars because it provides a favorable environment for peace. On the other hand, it is almost powerless when warring parties and other actors in the conflict are not willing to cooperate.
Advisors/Committee Members: Weitsman, Patricia A.
Subjects: International relations; Political science
Keywords: The United Nations; peace-keeping; PKO; observer missions; ONUCA; MINURSO; Nicaragua; Morocco; Western Sahara; FSLN; POLISARIO; OAU; OAS; international relations
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23.
Harjanto, Nicolaus Teguh Budi.
Islam and Liberalism in Contemporary Indonesia: The Political Ideas of Jaringan Islam Liberal.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2003, Ohio University
► Islam in Indonesia is acknowledged as moderate, although there are radical Islamic…
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▼ Islam in Indonesia is acknowledged as moderate, although there are radical Islamic groups that are involved in violent religious conflicts and insist on the implementation of Islamic law in the post-authoritarian Soeharto era. The moderation of Islam in Indonesia is not merely because of historical factors, but is also the result of ongoing debates on how to reconcile Islam with modernity. Jaringan Islam Liberal/JIL (the Liberal Islam Network), a network of young Muslim intellectuals, emerges as a forum to disseminate liberal interpretations of Islam. This study is to determine whether JIL’s liberal Islam is meant to develop an Islamic conception of liberalism or an Islamic liberal theology. This study shows that JIL’s liberal Islam is the continuation of Islamic renewal projects by Islamic neomodernists. The ideas proposed by JIL activists mostly deal with the compatibility of Islam and democracy, especially on the issues of toleration, pluralism, secularization, and individual and women’s rights. This network is very significant to the development of liberal Islamic ideas and the future of moderation of Islam in predominantly Muslim countries like Indonesia.
Advisors/Committee Members: Malley, Michael S.
Subjects: Political Science, General
Keywords: Islam - Indonesia; Liberalism - Indonesia; Islam and Politics - Indoseia
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24.
Khan, Shabbir Ahmad.
THE AGE FACTOR IN AMERICAN NATIONAL ELECTIONS.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2007, Ohio University
► The age factor has been crucial in both presidential and congressional elections.…
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▼ The age factor has been crucial in both presidential and congressional elections. Political leadership in America has been usually between 50 and 60 years of age. Age has been closely linked with the issue of political participation. I propose to examine the role of age in both presidential and congressional elections. From my studies I have observed that: (1) the average age of congressmen has increased; (2) the average age at the time of first election has also increased from the past and House candidates in their 40s and Senate candidates between the mid-40s and mid-50s have greater chances of success at the time of their first elections; (3) the number of older congressmen (65 and over) has also increased as compared to the number of younger congressmen (25 to 34) which has declined substantively. The indicators arrayed from the election data clearly show a significant relationship between the voters’ age and the candidates’ age.
Advisors/Committee Members: Tadlock, Barry L.
Subjects: Political Science, General
Keywords: American Elections; Age Factor; Age and Achievement
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25.
Kim, Eun kyung.
Nationalism and Democracy in Tanzania.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2008, Ohio University
► Julius Nyerere’s one-party democracy, prolonged over three decades in independent Tanzania, succeeded…
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▼ Julius Nyerere’s one-party democracy, prolonged over three decades in independent Tanzania, succeeded in unifying an ethnically diverse population and making Tanzania a relatively stable African state by emphasizing nationalist ideals. Affected by the one-partyism and Nyerere’s respected rule, Tanzania has maintained a single-party dominated state without plural representation and has generally enjoyed social and political unity even after the transition to the multi-party system. This unity is due in large measure to the success of Nyerere’s original nationalist ideals, in which the people find no need to differentiate their political and economic interests but appreciate egalitarian value. Based on my qualitative research and textual analysis –relying on secondary sources, public opinion polls, and profiles provided by election monitoring institutions on democratization in post-Nyerere Tanzania it appears that this one-party dominated democracy will continue to promote Nyerere’s nationalism and will keep gaining legitimacy at least in the short term. However, to advance the cause of democracy, Tanzania needs to gradually open its political system to be responsive to various demands.
Advisors/Committee Members: Abubakar, Dauda.
Subjects: Political science
Keywords: Tanzania; nationalism; democracy
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26.
Kirwin, Matthew.
The Socio-Political Effects of Nigerian Shari’a on Niger.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2004, Ohio University
► In an attempt to eliminate what is determined to be societal ills,…
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▼ In an attempt to eliminate what is determined to be societal ills, in 1999 some Muslim dominated states adopted Shari’a and subsequently outlawed activities such as drinking, prostitution and gambling, in addition to less controversial habitudes such as praise singing and integration of the sexes in public places. The neighboring country of Niger, which has a large Hausa population as well, has, by contrast, been reticent to base its legal codes on Qur’anic law. This is due in large part to the political legacy of the French colonial government and the contemporary government’s stance against religious fundamentalism. Niger’s reluctance to mimic Northern Nigeria’s lead has rendered it a safe haven for Nigeria’s outlawed vices. As bars, brothels and informal casinos were shut down in Nigeria, the same establishments were opened in Niger. This thesis will examine how changes in Nigerian politics have had a profound effect on life in Niger. The political, social and economic effects of Nigerian Shari’a law on Niger have been brought about by the close political and cultural linkages between the two countries. Trans border relations between Niger and Nigeria underwent a dramatic change as a result of the installation of Shari’a in Nigeria. This thesis argues that Niger’s secular political orientation has allowed these establishments to exist and that the subsequent financial windfall has benefited members of the traditional elites and political elites in government. In other words, it is possible to ask the question, has Niger’s secular government given it an economic comparative advantage in regards to Nigeria? The thesis also finds that the many of the actors, specifically those who left Nigeria to go to Niger, are politically marginalized and this has worked to entrench networks of patron clientelism in the border towns where they have settled. The thesis discusses some of the views of the local population with regards to an increase in the new economic activities. The thesis contributes to the literature on trans border economy, patron clientelism, and the weakness of African states. The thesis utilizes both field research conducted in Niger and published academic sources.
Advisors/Committee Members: Abubakar, Dauda.
Subjects: Political Science, General
Keywords: Africa; Politics; Islam; Nigeria; Niger; Hausa
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27.
Lilly, Marshall L.
“Mess” O’ Potamia: The Future of Democracy in Iraq.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2005, Ohio University
► The goal of this thesis is to determine the likelihood of Iraq…
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▼ The goal of this thesis is to determine the likelihood of Iraq developing into a democracy in the near future. Given the heightened level of U.S. involvement in Iraq since March 2003, the question of whether or not democracy in the country is possible has risen in significance. This study differs from more traditional democratization studies because it focuses on the international level of analysis rather than the state level. Due to U.S. involvement in the democratization process, the argument is presented that U.S. actions are more important in the initial stages than state level issues such as constitutional engineering. The results of this study find that democracy in Iraq will initially depend on actions taken by the United States, and that these actions will have a greater effect on Iraq’s development than actions taken at the state level.
Advisors/Committee Members: Tadlock, Barry.
Keywords: Iraq; United States - Iraq Relations; Democratization
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28.
Litanga, Patrick B.
Indigenous Legal Traditions in Transitional Justice Processes: Examining the Gacaca in Rwanda and the Bashingantahe in Burundi.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2012, Ohio University
► In the efforts to address the aftermath of the 1990s conflicts, the…
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▼ In the efforts to address the aftermath of the 1990s conflicts, the Rwandan and the Burundian post-conflict states incorporated the indigenous legal traditions of gacaca and bashingantahe in their transitional justice processes. Although scholarly literature has become more critical of post-conflict states' efforts to include local mechanisms of justice in transitional justice processes, in the cases of Rwanda and Burundi, most analyses focus on the effectiveness of the gacaca and bashingantahe as individual phenomena. This thesis asks questions that have not yet been given sufficient considerations. It focuses on jurisdictional differences between the gacaca and the bashingantahe. For instance, the gacaca's decisions are legally binding while bashingantahe's decisions only serve as advises, the gacaca are strictly controlled but the bashingantahe have some autonomy (Longman, 2009, Nindorera, 2007). How can we account for these differences? Historical and contemporaneous similarities and interconnections between Rwanda and Burundi compel us to study the gacaca and the bashingantahe comparatively. Olsen, Payne, and Reiter (2010) explain that the adoption of specific transitional justice methods dependent on economic, cultural, political, and military constraints of particular post-conflict societies. Without neglecting the pertinence of international factors, this thesis examines how domestic factors might have influenced the incorporation of the gacaca and the bashingantahe in the transitional justice processes. Hence, this thesis wishes to argue that jurisdictional differences between the gacaca and the bashingantahe can be explained by differences in the 1990s conflict dynamics, the method of conflict termination, shifts in the composition of the ruling political coalitions, and the way ethnicity is addressed by the post-conflict state.
Advisors/Committee Members: Kendhammer, Brandon.
Subjects: African Studies; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Peace Studies; Political Science
Keywords: gacaca; bashingantahe; indigenous legal traditions; transitional justice; post-conflict reconstruction; African Great Lakes region
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29.
Lynn, Heather R.
Gender, Religiosity, and Party Identification: The Relationship and Impact on Politics.
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2011, Ohio University
► While work has examined the impact of religion on political attitudes, very…
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▼ While work has examined the impact of religion on political attitudes, very little research has been done on how religion might socialize men and women differently. My central argument throughout this work is that this religious effect may differ between men and women, especially in regards to party identification. I argue that women are the more religious of the two genders, based on previous psychological and socialization theories, and because of this, women who have higher levels of religiosity will be more likely to identify with the Republican Party, than less religious women and even men with similar levels of religiosity. Using data from the National Election Studies from the year 1976- 2008, I test my hypothesis, and find that the interaction of gender and religion has a significant effect in a number of years. These results suggest that religious commitment does in fact have a greater impact on women compared to men.
Advisors/Committee Members: Poggione, Sarah.
Subjects: Gender Studies; Political Science; Religion
Keywords: politics; gender; religion; party identification; socialization theory
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30.
Matukhno, Natalia S.
U.S. Foreign Policy Toward Russia: Agenda-Setting Time Series Analysis (1945-2004).
Degree: MA, Political Science (Arts and Sciences), 2005, Ohio University
► The purpose of this thesis is to establish the direction of causality…
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▼ The purpose of this thesis is to establish the direction of causality in the U.S. foreign policy agenda-setting process. The research covers different time periods, which together cover the US foreign policy towards Russia from 1945 to 2004. The method employed in this paper is time series analysis, namely vector autoregression with Granger causality tests. It allows incorporating both dependent and independent variables with their several lags to test for directions of causality. The agenda-setting participants include both governmental agents and major media outlets. The variables include measurements of activities of the National Security Council, Department of Defense, Department of State, President, Congress, Washington Post, New York Times, CNN, ABC, and Associated Press. The results reveal distinct directions of causality in the internal governmental agenda setting; the National Security Council sets the agenda for the Department of Defense. Public activities of the President and Congress interact together and influence each other. The Washington Post influences the agenda of the Department of State. The Washington Post is the first media outlet which obtains information on a new turn in the U.S. foreign policy towards Russia and disseminates it to the New York Times.
Advisors/Committee Members: Mosher, James.
Keywords: Russia; U.S.; Foreign Policy; Agenda Setting; Time Series
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