Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2018, Political Science

Party switching, or changing one's political party affiliation, is a surprisingly widespread and persistent phenomenon among members of parliament (MPs) in old and new democracies alike. Switching gives voters the impression of a lack of legislator accountability and representation, and may indicate weak parties or government instability. Why do some MPs risk their careers, prestige, and chances of reelection for oftentimes uncertain payoffs? Extant research on party switching frames this behavior as an individual phenomenon, based on rational calculations to further goals of vote, office, or policy-seeking. Yet in the new democracies of Central and Eastern Europe, I find that party switching is largely a group phenomenon, which has heretofore received little attention. Building upon established research on political parties, party systems, and legislator behavior, I develop a theory of group-based defection that addresses this gap in the literature. I argue that MPs pursue political ambition in groups in which they share political goals—the pursuit of collective ambition is thus an alternative means to achieving their objectives. These groups are formed around, or defined by, social identities that are common or shared among individual MPs. By switching political parties as part of a group, individual MPs are able to more effectively pursue their political ambition. After presenting the theory and hypotheses of group-based party switching as a function of the pursuit of collective political ambition and the importance of shared social identities in Chapter 2, Chapter 3 lays out the dissertation's multi-methodological approach. I present novel biographical and legislative data used to test the theory and hypotheses, discuss the variables used in statistical analyses, and describe the administration of semi-structured interviews. Chapter 4 presents the quantitative analyses of the patterns of group switching in Poland from 1997 to 2011, and the influence of indivi (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Anthony Mughan Ph.D. (Advisor); Goldie Shabad Ph.D. (Committee Member); Thomas Nelson Ph.D. (Committee Member); Sara Watson Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Psychology; Behavioral Sciences; Comparative; East European Studies; European Studies; Political Science; Psychology; Social Psychology; Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1964, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1958, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Sociology

Bachelor of Arts, University of Toledo, 2014, English

Abstract Paradise Lost and Hamlet are preoccupied with the performance of the self. These works contain deceptive characters, each obsessed with the performance of their ambitions. Milton and Shakespeare are interested in exploring how performance affects an individual consumed by thwarted ambition. Milton and Shakespeare scholars state that the works are allusions to performance. These works are similar because Satan and Hamlet are consumed by thwarted ambition. I argue that these characters perform their ambitions. Their acts reveal that they use carefully crafted performances of the self, as they strive to portray a particular role to fulfill their goals. However, Satan and Hamlet play different roles. Satan acts like a king, performing his desire to defeat the Son by asserting himself as a powerful leader. Hamlet acts like a fool, concealing his ambitious plan of revenge using his antic disposition. The roles Satan and Hamlet play conflict with their sense of self. Satan is not a powerful leader, but an individual consumed by thwarted ambition. Hamlet purposely conceals his sanity using his antic disposition. I provide a close reading of three scenes that analyzes Satan and Hamlet's ambitious acts. Abdiel's confrontation of Satan is similar to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's questioning of Hamlet. Abdiel challenges Satan's argument by performing his dutiful obedience to God. In turn, his act exposes Satan's ambitious disposition. Hamlet reveals Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's motives as they spy. Further complicating this argument, Satan's performance shifts when he is alone on Mt. Niphates. Satan drops his act, revealing his deep despair. I assert that my reading of these scenes reveals the carefully crafted performances of the self Satan and Hamlet use as they perform their ambitions.

Committee: Andrew Mattison (Advisor); Melissa Gregory (Advisor) Subjects: Literature

Master of Arts in English, Youngstown State University, 2009, Department of Languages

George Eliot was not a typical woman of the Victorian era. She lived openly with a man who was not her husband despite familial and societal disapproval. Eliot was also an ambitious woman, one who would become one of the greatest authors of her time. Yet in spite of – or because of – her unique lifestyle, Eliot punishes her female characters that pursue their own ambitions. Those who meet or attempt to meet her rigorous standards of female behavior – service to others and resignation to fate – are permitted some measure of happiness in the end.Hetty Sorrel of Adam Bede and Gwendolen Harleth of Daniel Deronda are Eliot's spoiled girls. Their greatest ambition is to marry into wealth and live a life of luxury and freedom. This ambition is furthest from Eliot's ideal, and Hetty and Gwendolen are harshly punished. Dinah Morris of Adam Bede and Dorothea Brooke of Middlemarch are George Eliot's martyrs. They begin closest to Eliot's standard, and therefore, though they are punished for pursuing their ambitions, they are rewarded with happiness at the end of their respective novels. Maggie Tulliver of The Mill on the Floss is, much like Eliot herself, too clever for her simple country existence and unable to find her place in society. While Eliot was able to find love and success in her own life, Maggie Tulliver is never able to find a vent for her passionate nature, and after repeated discouragements and punishments, she is killed in a flood. Eliot was the exception to the rule with regard to female ambition in Victorian society, and her own successes were not without their sacrifices. She illustrates this in her work by exacting punishment on her ambitious female characters.

Committee: Julia Gergits PhD (Advisor); Stephanie Tingley PhD (Committee Member); James Schramer PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: English literature; Literature; Womens Studies