2006 Conference Program - Midwest Political Science Association

PaperPaperPaperPaperDisc.Toward Resolving the Measurement Problem in QCA: AnExploration of Fuzzy MathematicsTerry D. Clark, Creighton UniversityJennifer M. Larson, Creighton UniversityOverview: The use of fuzzy mathematics in comparativepolitics has been confined to qualitative comparative analysis(QCA). We consider mathematical approaches that mightovercome measurement problems associated with the use offuzzy mathematics in QCA.Europeanization. Electoral Instititutions and PartyDevelopment in Post Communist PoliticsJohn T. Ishiyama, Truman State UniversityTerry D. Clark, Creighton UniversityOverview: In recent years, there has been a growing interest inthe domestic political consequences of “Europeanization.”Although there has been a small but increasing body of work onthe effects of this process on political party development in theWestTBAJill N. Wittrock, University of IowaTerry D. Clark, Creighton UniversityOverview: TBAWhat is Next? Taking the Next Step in the Field ofCommunism and Post-Communist StudiesIrina S. Khmelko, Georgia Southern UniversityOverview: This paper outlines some of the major discussions inthe field of Communist and Post-Communist studies. It offersone of the possible approaches to answering the question ofwhere the scholars of ECE can take the research next.Erik Herron, University of Kansas11-6 IR AND FOREIGN POLICYRoomChairPaperTBA, Fri 1:45 pmClair Apodaca, Florida International UniversityPresidents, Leadership Variation, and Foreign PolicyOutcomesDavid J. Plazek, West Virginia UniversityOverview: The paper examines presidential administrationsfrom Harry Truman to George H. W. Bush to assess whether thevariation in the political orientation of leadership contributes todivergence in foreign policy goals and outcomes.Paper Multiple Identities, Multiple Policies (?)Tuba Unlu, Georgetown UniversityOverview: This study aims to illustrate how identity of a statecan be manipulated by the decision/foreign policy makers, andcan be used strategically.PaperPaperPaperDisc.Turkey and the NATO Question: American and Anglo-Canadian PerspectivesRichard P. Garlitz, Ohio UniversityOverview: Security factors dominated American thinking withrespect to Turkish membership in NATO through 1952, butcultural considerations informed the Anglo-Canadian view. Thepaper links the NATO debate with the current one concerningTurkey and the EU.Hegemonic Influence and the Creation of RegionalArchitecture in Latin AmericaKatharine Petersen, University of ArizonaOverview: This paper seeks to understand the dynamics of nonissuespecific regional integration in Latin America by modelingthe decisions of states to join regional organizations which theUnited States has been instrumental in forming.Imposing American Ideals: Collective Ideas, Nationalism,and Great Power Foreign PolicyDuane Adamson, Brigham Young UniversityOverview: An evaluation of U.S. foreign policy efforts totransform specific collective ideas tied to national identity inpost World War II societies. The paper explores the perceivedsuccesses of post-war Germany and Japan to more recent cases.Robert F. Trager, Oxford University11-19 THE HISTORY OF THE GREAT POWERSAND THE FUTURE OF IR THEORYRoomChairPaperPaperPaperPaperPaperDisc.TBA, Fri 1:45 pmMrinalini Menon, University of British ColumbiaBalancing by not BandwagoningMark E. Schaefer, Marietta CollegeOverview: States tend to concern themselves with overtbalancing, but French and German history show another form ofbalancing, balancing by not bandwagoning. This holds lessondrawingmerit for the US and its lack of usual partners prior tothe Iraq War.Testing Ideology Against Neorealism in Hitler's Drive to theEastAlex T. Schulman, University of California, Los AngelesOverview: I examine the diplomatic record to test the claims ofneorealism that Hitler's foreign policy decisions were rational,and then present a counter-argument - that ideology trumpedrationality.Domestic Institutions, Imperial Accommodation, andBritain's Settler ColoniesChad Rector, George Washington UniversityOverview: Like the U.S. today, the British Empire relied oncooperation from junior partners. Institutions that gaveinfluence to groups with relationship-specific assets in thesettler colonies made Britain's self-restraint credibleThe Congress of Vienna System - Power, Identity and NewIdeasFabrice Paracuellos, University of California, IrvineOverview: The emergence on a new idea - that liberalismconstituted a threat to the European monarchies - has morepower in explaining the peace of the Congress of Vienna systemthan distribution of power or institutional landscapeDangerous Rebels? Role of Violent Non-State Actors inGreat Power DeclineOlga Bogatyrenko, University of California, DavisOverview: The paper relies on organizational and IR literaturesto discuss the extent to which great powers are vulnerable toviolent non-state actors. Hypotheses are tested qualitatively viaa comparative case study of Imperial Russia and Great Britain.Nathan A. Paxton, Harvard University12-5 MONETARY INSTITUTIONS, REGIMES, &POLICY IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY (CosponsoredEconomic Policy, see 42-15)RoomChairPaperPaperPaperTBA, Fri 1:45 pmChristopher Adolph, University of WashingtonDemocracy and Data Dissemination: The Effect of PoliticalRegime on TransparencyB. Peter Rosendorff, University of Southern CaliforniaJames R. Vreeland, Yale UniversityOverview: Policymakers provide credible announcements ofintended inflation and unemployment rates in democracies; dataestablishes that transparency is correlated with regime type,even after controlling for level of development and countryspecificeffects.Institutional Structures and Monetary InstrumentsDominick E. Wright, University of Michigan, Ann ArborOverview: The structure of a governmental institutionconstrains the choice of monetary instruments, while inducingpreferences over macroeconomic outcomes. An analysis offixity and inflation conditioned on institutional structureexplores this hypothesis.Depositing Credibility: Capital Account Liberalization,Dollarization, and Government CredibilityKelly P. Wurtz, University of California, San DiegoOverview: I argue that those governments that combinecredibility in their respect for property rights, but lackcredibility in macroeconomic policy, can strategically allowforeign currency deposits to commit to stable macroeconomicpolicies.160