Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Pakistan since 1979 has been transformed into an amalgamation of a series of often contradictory political enterprises which retain two cohesive strands: the articulation of divergent views on the rights of women, and rhetoric to incorporate more laws and institutions derived from Islam. The October 2002 victory of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) in the NWFP provincial election was the first time in Pakistan's history that an Islamist political party had won a significant election. The rise of the MMA is representative of changes occurring throughout the Muslim world consisting of efforts to recapture the faith and incorporate it into a political agenda is increasingly used as a rallying cry of identity politics.Since coming to power, the MMA has introduced various reforms to make laws and policies consistent --in their vision --with Islam, the most controversial of which concern the rights of women. There are important policy implications of the MMA's over-emphasis on gender and identity politics given the prevailing political context in which they are occurring. This paper analyzes the controversial reforms introduced by the MMA, with an emphasis on gender politics. It will, importantly, also question the role of the researcher doing such an analysis: What are the implications of such research which focuses on local politics but which --in pitting the MMA's gender politics in opposition to the Government of Pakistan's commitment "not to discriminate" against women and to implement CEDAW --also has international policy dimensions? How do we maintain professional neutrality and contend with our own biases? Can we also avoid becoming a cheerleader for a team that, given a different opponent, we might otherwise wish would lose?

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Although the use of models has come to dominate much of the scientific study of politics, our understanding of the role or function that models play in the scientific enterprise has not kept pace. Political science clings to an outdated theory-based approach to scientific inference known as hypothetico-deductivism. We argue for a new approach to scientific inference that highlights the centrality of models in scientific reasoning, avoids the pitfalls of the hypothetico-deductive method, and offers political scientists a new way of thinking about the relationship between the natural world and the models with which we are so familiar.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The horrific events of September 11 demanded changes in the way Americans viewed and enforced national security. Law enforcement and public safety agencies have been diligent in collaborating to create counter-terrorism task forces and other methods for identifying threats in communities. Statistics have shown that terrorists are not usually convicted of terror-related crimes but rather they are commonly convicted of “traditional” crimes where they may be sentenced to probation in lieu of active sentences.
The purpose of this research was to review current identification procedures of offenders on probation and/or post-release within the North Carolina Division of Community Corrections. All current assessment tools, including the Security Threat Group assessment, were tested for the feasibility of terrorist or extremist identification. The results showed that no such identification procedures are currently in place. However, the existing assessment tools are an excellent instrument for identifying gang members within the offender population and could be modified to include questions related to terrorist affiliations.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The research will discuss reentry and the success stories: former prisoners who have achieved "success," and yet still find themselves at risk of recidivism. Implications for the field will be explored.