2006 Conference Program - Midwest Political Science Association

11-9 NEW THEORIES AND THUS NEWDEBATESRoomChairPaperPaperPaperPaperPaperDisc.TBA, Sat 10:30 amDuane Adamson, Brigham Young UniversityChristianity and International Politics in the Thought ofReinhold Niebuhr and Herbert ButterfieldPier Domenico Tortola, Boston UniversityOverview: This paper compares Niebuhr and Butterfield'sapplications of Christian ideas to the analysis of interstatepolitics and sheds light on the broader theoretical andepistemological "debate" between realism and the EnglishSchool.Culture in International Relations Theory: ComparativeAnalysis of Social Theory of International Politics and Clashof Civilizations TheoryWael J. Haboub, University of Illinois, ChicagoOverview: This study will analyze the core assumptions of bothClash of Civilization Theory articulated by Samuel Huntingtonand that of Alexander Wendt's Social Theory of InternationalPolitics.The Utility of Justificatory Analysis in InternationalRelations ResearchTravis B. Nelson, University of Wisconsin, MadisonOverview: This paper examines the use of justifications as apart of empirical research in international relations and arguesthat the promise and pitfalls of justificatory analysis point notonly to caution but to both normative and strategic utility.Evolutionary Approaches to the Study of InternationalRelationsTamas Golya, University of OregonOverview: This paper seeks to specify in what sense findings ofevolutionary psychology can expand and fertilize internationalrelations (=IR) theory, but also how not to do it. It also speaks tothe relative relevance of each of the main paradigms in IR.Synthetic Theories and the Study of Political ViolenceJonathan Obert, University of ChicagoMatthias Staisch, University of ChicagoOverview: Endorses theoretical synthesis in IR, but criticizes itsadvocates for not having attained it. Presents a three-stepprocedure based on a typology of causal questions and relatedmodes of explanation and applies it to the study of politicalviolence.Rashida Hussain, Wright State University13-9 SIGNALS AND NETWORKSRoomChairPaperPaperPaperTBA, Sat 10:30 amBahar Leventoglu, SUNY, Stony Brook UniversityModelling Transgovernmental Network Choices withExponential Random Graph ModelsPaul W. Thurner, University of MannheimMartin Binder, University of MannheimOverview: We investigate the motives for establishingtransgovernmental network choices. Focal actors are highofficials of the EU member states’ ministerial bureaucracy.Exponential Random Graph Models are used for testing ourhypotheses.Effects of Historical Analogies on Foreign Policy DecisionProcessesNehemia Geva, Texas A&M UniversityDouglas Kuberski, Texas A&M UniversityOverview: An experimental test of the proposition that exposureto historical analogies make people less sensitive to theinformation about the current crisis, thereby increasing supportfor leaders' advocated foreign policy.Preferences, Power, and Policy ChoiceMark A. Souva, Florida State UniversityOverview: Given a particular type of crisis, what factors mostaffect how a state responds? I argue that the primary factorsaffecting foreign policy choice are the similarity of foreignpolicy preferences and the balance of power in the dyad.PaperDisc.Public Commitment in Crisis BargainingAhmer Tarar, Texas A&M UniversityBahar Leventoglu, Stony Brook UniversityOverview: It has long been argued that audience costs arebeneficial because they allow for credible informationtransmission. We show how audience costs can be used togenerate bargaining leverage and may lead to war, even undercomplete information.Branislav L. Slantchev, University of California, San DiegoAhmer Tarar, Texas A&M University14-9 THE GLOBAL CHALLENGE OFTERRORISMRoomChairPaperPaperPaperPaperPaperDisc.TBA, Sat 10:30 amFrank La Verness, St. John’s UniversityInternational Terrorism and Trade: A SimultaneousEquation ModelAndrada Irina S. Costoiu, University of Illinois, ChicagoOverview: It is argued that the terrorist actions reduce thevolume of international trade and vice versa. Using asimultaneous equation model, I find compelling evidence thatterrorism and international trade determine each other.Terrorism as a Narrative PracticeMaarten G. D. Rothman, Netherlands Defense AcademyOverview: Terrorist messages are analyzed as projectingparticular narratives, playing to an audience, using specifictechniques, producing specific theatrical effects. This papersearches various terrorist narratives for clues about theirprospective success.Terrorism in North Africa: Going Global?Lianne E. Kennedy Boudali, United States Military AcademyOverview: Recent communications from North African terroristgroups indicate greater identification with the trans-nationalagenda of the "global jihad."Terrorism in the Horn of Africa: Where Bin Laden BeganTseggai Isaac, University of Missouri, RollaOverview: Terrorists inspired by Al Qaeda had long establishedbases in the Horn. They carried out acts of violence againstcivilians. This paper chronicles terrorism in view of the Horncountries plea for assistance and Western ambivalence to theproblem.Terrorist Organizations and Sub-National GovernmentalRelationsKevin E. Grisham, University of California, RiversideOverview: An exploration of how to characterize and measurethe relationships between subnational government units andterrorist organizations in the modern era.Bradley F. Podliska, Texas A&M UniversityFrank La Verness, St. John’s University15-9 DOMESTIC POLITICS AND CONFLICTRoomChairPaperPaperPaperTBA, Sat 10:30 amStephen B. Long, Kansas State UniversityWhat Will You Know?: Explaining Within DemocracyVariance in Foreign Policy Institutions and ConflictBehaviorMichael P. Colaresi, Michigan State UniversityOverview: This paper explains important distinctions betweendemocratic governments based on retrospective foreign policyinformation institutions.Political Liberalization and the Threat of ViolenceUrsula E. Daxecker, University of New OrleansOverview: This paper investigates the causes of violencefollowing political liberalization. Private information onbargaining strength and the ability of the outgoing regime tonegotiate its own exit terms are argued to affect the range ofpossible outcomes.An Informational Theory of National Leaders, DomesticInstitutions, and International ConflictScott Wolford, Emory UniversityOverview: Prior beliefs over the resolve of national leaders areendogenized to the informational consequences of domestic206