Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Two leading arguments explaining the success of threat inflation and the failure of the U.S. Marketplace of Ideas in the fall of 2002 are the psychology of the public post-9/11 making it open to threat inflation, and clever issue manipulation and control of information by the executive branch that made threat inflation successful. This paper argues both of these views are incorrect. Instead this paper argues the Marketplace of Ideas failed to operate properly because the press was not "objective" or truth-seeking, nor even simply "fair and balanced." Without a balanced press, the opposition could not hope to prevail in the debate, so the Democrats caved immediately, hoping to change the issue; the valiant independent experts who attempted to debate administration claims were not heard, and the establishment press was cowed by the right-wing press to uncritically present administration claims about Iraq WMD and ties to al Qaeda. [This is a draft theory/ work in progress--comments welcome.]

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Using tax cuts (particularly estate taxes) as a case study, I map out the idea networks that deploy cultural and ideological traditions to engender support among both economic and religious conservatives, often against these groups' own interests.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Since Japan became the largest foreign aid donor in 1989, Japan has assumed a greater role in the international community. Meanwhile, Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) has become one of the most important tools in Japan’s foreign policy. The question arises why did Japan conduct its own independent economic development policies in Asia, while Japan’s other foreign policies were greatly influenced by external factors such as the United States? Furthermore, why did Japan's colonial policy and ODA policy toward Asia share similar economic development approaches, even though historical contexts and purposes changed? This study examines theoretical explanations for the continuity in foreign economic policy outcomes despite significant changes in international and domestic politics.
Based on historical case studies of Japan’s colonial development policy for Manchuria and Japan’s ODA policies for Indonesia, this research applies the role of ideas to analyze the cause of the policy continuity and the Japanese economic development approach in Asia. This study found that similar Japanese economic development approaches were adopted because of the continuity in personnel and the ideas they held. Six ideas of Japanese economic approach were identified:(1) promoting a self-help effort system; (2) seeking mutual interests between Japan and Asian countries; (3) a state-led economy and long-term development plan; (4) efficient public-private cooperation; (5) utilizing foreign capital and technology; and (6) an aim to establish an Asian economic bloc. While the ideas were carried out through the continuity of personnel, the ideas were institutionalized through organizational routines, and enforced by the unchanged bureaucratic political system in the postwar period.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This paper seeks to “measure” the free trade ideas that MPs were exposed to in their constituencies from 1841 to 1846, and then link this to their voting records in Parliament. I use local newspaper coverage of trade policy in 1841 and 1846 to compare the prevalence of free trade ideas in the districts of Peelites and Non-Peelite Conservatives in order to examine the change from 1841 to 1846. The results provide empirical evidence of the increased intensity in lobbying by the Anti-Corn Law League from 1841 to 1846, thereby increasing the demand for Repeal. Yet, it is also found that Peelites did not experience any dramatic changes in the ideas to which they were exposed in their constituencies, thus strengthening the argument that the abrupt reversal of the Peelites was not simply the product of demand-side pressures.