26th Annual Illinois State University Conference for Students of Political Science
Bone Student Center
Normal , Illinois
April 27, 2018
Registration: 9-11:45am
Spotlight Room
Guidelines for Chairs, Discussants, and Participants
Participating Colleges and Universities:
Beloit College, Butler University, Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State University, Monmouth College, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, St. Bonaventure University, Western Illinois University, Westminster College
Session 1: 9:30-10:50 AM
Panel 1A: Democratization
3rd Floor East Lounge
Chair: Natalie Flex, Illinois State University
Discussant: Natalie Flex, Illinois State University
Furkan Burcu Yildiz, Eastern Illinois University
Comparative Judicial Politics Between USA and Turkey
Sabastina Wiafe, Monmouth College
The Successful Democratic Nation of Ghana
Fatemeh Jamali, Illinois State University
Beyond Authoritarianism: A Hybrid Regime Framework for Analyzing the Islamic Republic Sustainability
Bich Tran, Illinois State University
The Relationship Between State Effectiveness and State Legitimacy: A Quantitative Test
Panel 1B: Environmental Politics
Spotlight Room
Chair: Kate Brunk, Illinois State University
Discussant: Kate Brunk, Illinois State University
Celeste Dominguez, Monmouth College
Under What Conditions Will Activism Against CAFOs Be Successful in the U.S.?
Nicholas Mullins, Illinois State University
Domestic Climate Change Mitigation (or lack thereof) Variously Explained
Katie Spoden, Illinois State University
Local Government Sustainability Efforts and City-Run Farmers’ Markets
Session 2: 11:00-12:20 AM
Panel 2A: Conflict and Human Rights
3rd Floor East Lounge
Chair: Patrick Swindle, Illinois State University
Discussant: Patrick Swindle, Illinois State University
Furkan Burcu Yildiz, Eastern Illinois University
Ways Through to Authoritativenes
Adefehintoluwa Akinborho, Monmouth College
Political Disorder: An Analysis of Political Corruption
Sydney Franklin, Westminster College
A Comparative Analysis of the Influence of Historical Latin American Military Dictatorships on the Human Rights Crisis in Venezuela
Panel 2B: Political Economy
Spotlight Room
Chair: Jordan Norton, Illinois State University
Discussant: Jordan Norton, Illinois State University
Amjad Karkout, Monmouth College
An Oligarchic Democracy
Saber Khani, Western Illinois University
The Impacts of Market on Modern Social Structure
Luncheon: 12:30-1:50 PM
Founder’s Suite (for participants)
Session 3: 2:00-3:20 PM
Panel 3A: Political Institutions
3rd Floor East Lounge
Chair: Bich Tran, Illinois State University
Discussant: Bich Tran, Illinois State University
Thomas Wise, Monmouth College
Liberal Democracy in the Republic of Ireland
Mingyi Zhang, Beloit College
Choosing the Working Partners: Preconditions and Outcomes of Coalition Building Under MMP Electoral System
Tyler Carter, Illinois State University
A Generational Study of Collectivism in the United States
Panel 3B: The Presidency of Donald Trump
Spotlight Room
Chair: Margaret Scarsdale, Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville
Discussant: Margaret Scarsdale, Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville
Leah Middagh, St. Bonaventure University
What Effect Do Celebrities Have on Voting Behavior?
MacKenzie Olson, Monmouth College
The United States of Vulnerability: Russian Meddling in Public Opinion
Myles Nelson, Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville
A Comparison of President Donald Trump’s Administration Policy to Previous Republican Presidents
Panel 3C: Ethnicity and Politics
3rd Floor West Lounge
Chair: Katie Spoden, Illinois State University
Discussant: Katie Spoden, Illinois State University
Akbota Yergaliyeva, Monmouth College
Language Reforms in Kazakhstan
Alfred Boateng, Monmouth College
The Enigma of How Ethnicity Affect Voting Choices in Ghana
Kate Brunk, Illinois State University
Intensity of Ethnic White Identity and Out-Group Harm
Lydia Ochs, Butler University
The Undermining of Representative Democracy through Racial Gerrymandering
Session 4: 3:30-4:50 PM
Panel 4A: Campaigns and Political Behavior
3rd Floor East Lounge
Chair: MacKenzie Olson, Monmouth College
Discussant: MacKenzie Olson, Monmouth College
Nathanial Null, Monmouth College
Religion and Presidential Campaigns in the United States
Jaron Park, Monmouth College
Movements of Polarization: The Tea Party and Occupy
Margaret Scarsdale, Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville
Political Circumstances and President Obama’s Use of Statements of Administration Policy and Signing Statements
Nathan Wilson, Westminster College
A Check on the Rabble? Faithless Electors and Electoral College Reform
Panel 4B: State and Local Politics and Public Opinion
Spotlight Room
Chair: Michael Hill, Illinois State University
Discussant: Michael Hill, Illinois State University
Julia Bartusek, Butler University
The Cyclical Theory and Public Opinion: Preferential Treatment of Student Collegiate Athletes in Violation of Title IX Policy
Austin King, Monmouth College
Regional Politics: Downstate Illinois vs. the Chicagoland Area and its Implications
Bryon Pierson, Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville
The Serenity Plan
Jordan Norton, Illinois State University
Should States Adopt Overdose Immunity Laws?
Panel 4C: Media and Politics
3rd Floor West Lounge
Chair: Leah Middagh, St. Bonaventure University
Discussant: Leah Middagh, St. Bonaventure University
Nate Lemen, Butler University
The Impact of Local News Media through the Lens of Voter Fraud and Gerrymandering
Rebecca Reading, Monmouth College
Priming in Campaigns
Natalie Flex, Illinois State University
The Effects of the Neoliberal System on the #metoo Movement
This conference is sponsored by Pi Sigma Alpha, the Undergraduate Political Science Association, The Graduate Student Association, and The Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University.