2006 Conference Program - Midwest Political Science Association

PaperDisc.return to political questions is not a return to traditional pietybut to the "Ideas" as cause and source of stability in the cosmos.The Logical Structure of Plato’s LawsElizabeth A. L'Arrivee, University of Notre DameOverview: Some commentators argue that the Laws does nothave a clear organization. However, the Laws is answering alucid question according to a logical structure, and the proposalsset forth must be understood as corresponding to this structure.Marlene K. Sokolon, Concordia UniversityBryan Benson, Western Governors University51-2 SOME CONSEQUENCES OF SAME-SEXMARRIAGERoomChairTBA, Thur 3:45 pmEllen Andersen, Indiana University Purdue University,IndianapolisPaper Whither Culture War? Gay Marriage and the 2004ElectionsElvin T. Lim, University of TulsaOverview: This paper examines media and elite discussions ofgay marraige in the one month before Election Day 2004.PaperPaperPaperDisc.Lesbians, Marriage and Political Participation PostGoodridgeJennifer Raymond, University of Massachusetts, BostonOverview: In Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, theMassachusetts Supreme Court ruled that there was no validreason for the state of Massachusetts to prohibit same-sexcouple from receiving marriage licenses.The Electoral Capture of Gay and Lesbian AmericansCharles A. Smith, University of MiamiOverview: The wide-spread popular support for the anti-gayamendments in the 2004 election suggests that Democrats willmarginalize gay and lesbian interests in order to avoid electorallosses.Voting on Marriage: Demographic Influences on theInitiative to Ban Gay Marriage in the Michigan ConstitutionLaurel Sprague, Wayne State UniversityOverview: This paper examines support for Michigan's initiativeto ban gay marriage by looking at voting patterns by income,race, education, presidential votes, and the number of same-sexhouseholds in selected southeastern Michigan cities.Ellen Andersen, Indiana University Purdue University,IndianapolisJason Pierceson, University of Illinois, Springfield57-1 GENDERING PUBLIC AND POLITICALLEADERSHIP (Co-sponsored with Gender andPolitics, see 25-20)RoomChairPaperPaperPaperPaperDisc.TBA, Thur 3:45 pmMary E. Guy, Florida State UniversityThe Gendered Dimensions of Executive OfficeFarida Jalalzai, University of Missouri, St. LouisOverview: This paper analyzes gender in relation to executiveoffice worldwide. Specifically, it investigates the nature ofexecutive power and how open governments are to therepresentation of women as presidents and prime ministers.Rethinking Public and Political Leadership with Gender inMindGeorgia Duerst-Lahti, Beloit CollegeOverview: Political Science tends to divide leadership betweenthe 'political' of elected officials-most often the president-andthe 'public' leadership of administrators. Generally neither takesgender into account.Women, Leadership, and the State: A Critical AssessmentEileen McDonagh, Northeastern UniversityOverview: This paper analyzes the impact of state constructionupon women's access to national leadership positions.Images of Legislative Leadership: Where are the Women?Cindy Simon Rosenthal, University of OklahomaOverview: Have women transformed the images associated withlegislative leadership? This paper contrasts the popularportrayal of women leaders and scholarly understandings ofcongressional leadership.Mary E. Guy, Florida State University52-101 ROUNDTABLE: WHATEVER HAPPENEDTO POLICY ANALYSIS IN THE FEDERALGOVERNMENT? (Co-sponsored with Caucusfor New Political Science, see 54-101)RoomChairPanelistTBA, Thur 3:45 pmBert A. Rockman, Purdue UniversityBryan D. Jones, University of WashingtonPaul Posner, George Mason UniversityKevin Esterling, University of California, RiversideWalter Williams, University of WashingtonDavis B. Bobrow, University of PittsburghDavid M. Jones, University of Wisconsin, OshkoshJohn C. Berg, Suffolk UniversityOverview: The panel will explore the processing of informationfor policymaking in the Federal Government; examine whetherit has declined in recent years; and whether the increasinglypartisan tone of Washington has caused the decline, if in fact itexists.127