2006 Conference Program - Midwest Political Science Association

PaperPaperPaperDisc.Overview: I examine movements for voting system reform atthe time of suffrage expansion in France, the UK and the US. Iargue that elites used these reforms to undermine popularparticipation. Outcomes vary with the degree of working classmobilization.Greece and Turkey: Two Modernization Paths in Civil-Military RelationsEvangelos Liaras, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyOverview: Using the cases of Greece and Turkey as a basis forcomparison, the paper proposes a theoretical typology ofpolitical vs. politicized militaries in the modern history of civilmilitaryrelations.Agents of Change: The Role of Teachers and Schools inCreating Hegemony and Consolidating Identity inPostrevolutionary Mexico and IranShervin Malekzadeh, Georgetown UniversityOverview: Through a comparative study of the role of educationin the (re)construction of identities and nation-building inpostrevolutionary Iran and Mexico, this paper argues thatrevolutionary members of society are not made, they arenegotiated.Deterring Resistance in Occupation: Winning the Peace inGermany and JapanMelissa M. Willard, University of California, Los AngelesOverview: In seeking to explain how democracies attempt towin the peace, this study examines the policies designed for theoccupations of Germany and Japan, specifically examining howdemocracies balanced carrots and sticks.Howard Schweber, University of Wisconsin, MadisonPaperPaperPaperDisc.which religious and non-religious groups differ in theirdevelopment and use of argument frames.Voting from the Pew: The Effect of Senators’ ReligiousAffiliations on Cultural Issues Votes: 1976-2004John Michael McTague, University of Maryland, College ParkShanna Pearson-Merkowitz, University of Maryland, CollegeParkOverview: We have strong reason to believe that religion playsa significant role in determining senators’ votes on issues thataddress birth control and abortion, gay rights, and religion inpublic forums.The Right Ideas: Political Operatives, Idea Networks, andTax CutsRichard J. Meagher, The Graduate Center, CUNYOverview: Using tax cuts (particularly estate taxes) as a casestudy, I map out the idea networks that deploy cultural andideological traditions to engender support among both economicand religious conservatives, often against these groups' owninterests.Religious Rhetoric and the American PresidencyAdam L. Warber, Clemson UniversityLaura R. Olson, Clemson UniversityOverview: We are concerned with how the use of religiousrhetoric by presidents may have varied over time. We offer arigorous analysis of the use of symbolic religious rhetoric inpresidential inaugural addresses from George Washington toGeorge W. Bush.Paul A. Djupe, Denison UniversityBruce F. Nesmith, Coe College46-2 PUBLIC SPACES AND CIVIC IDENTITYRoomChairPaperPaperPaperDisc.TBA, Thur 8:30 amTimothy E. Durant, University of OregonSeparation of Church and Zoo: Diversity, Creationism, andEvolutionJesse C. Donahue, Saginaw Valley State UniversityErik K. Trump, Saginaw Valley State UniversityOverview: A recent attempt to install a Genesis creation displayat the Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum reveals that zoologicalparks are vulnerable to demands that Christian Fundamentalistviews be represented alongside non-Western cultural artifacts.The World War II Memorial and the American NationalImaginationAvital Shein, University of Maryland, College ParkOverview: This paper establishes a link between the NationalWWII Memorial and the American national imagination.Through an analysis of the design and location of the memorial,it argues that WWII is represented as a founding moment in thehistory of the US.For Peace or Pacification? Yasukuni Shrine and CompetingJapanese NationalismsBenjamin A. Peters, Rutgers UniversityOverview: Peters assesses competing nationalisms incontemporary Japanese politics with special focus on primeministers' visits to Yasukuni Shrine.Zachary A. Callen, University of Chicago47-2 RELIGION AND POLICYMAKING:INTEREST GROUPS, CONGRESS, AND THEPRESIDENTRoomChairPaperPaperTBA, Thur 8:30 amMaurice M. Eisenstein, Purdue University, CalumetOrganized Religious Interests in American National PoliticsDaniel Hofrenning, St. Olaf CollegeOverview: This paper will explore both the background and thecoalition behavior of religious lobbyists in American nationalpolitics. It will test the argument that religious lobbyists aredistinctly different—in their identities and strategies.Constraint and the Political Rhetoric of Religious GroupsKatherine E. Stenger, Gustavus Adolphus CollegeOverview: I examine the concept of constraint in the context ofmediated debates of political issues by looking at the extent to48-101 ROUNDTABLE: TEACHING POLITICS: ANACTIVIST APPROACHRoomPanelistTBA, Thur 8:30 amDick W. Simpson, University of Illinois, ChicagoAnthony Perry, Henry Ford Community CollegeConstance Mixon, Daley Community CollegeOverview: A new DVD, "Teaching Politics" (30 minutes long)will be premiered at the Midwest Political Science Meeting anda panel will discuss various teaching methods beyond the usuallecture/discussion session approach to get students politicallyengaged.49-104 ROUNDTABLE: HOW TO PURSUE A NON-ACADEMIC CAREERRoomChairPanelistTBA, Thur 8:30 amLaurie A. Rhodebeck, University of LouisvilleBob Gannett, Institute for Community EmpowermentAnna Greenberg, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner ResearchVicki Kraft, City of ChicagoDelia Lloyd, Chicago Public Radio - OdysseyJohn Samples, Cato Institute and Johns Hopkins UniversityOverview: This roundtable will discuss alternatives to academiccareers. Topics will include the pros and cons of nonacademicjobs, transitioning to a career outside of academia, and the jobsearch.52-2 THE RACE TO WHERE? THE COMPLEXCOURSES OF STATE AND LOCALWELFARE REFORMRoomChairPaperPaperTBA, Thur 8:30 amMark C. Rom, Georgetown UniversityThe Diffusion of Successful TANF PoliciesCraig Volden, The Ohio State UniversityMichael Cohen, The Ohio State UniversityOverview: We explore conditions under which different successmeasures explain the spread of 25 aspects of state TANFpolicies between 1997 and 2003.The Race to the Bottom,...And Top: Post-PROWRA StateIncome SupportGlenn Beamer, Rutgers UniversityOverview: This paper delineates diverging state income supportpolicies since 1996. I develop an event history analysis that79