Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: We test the impact of competing theories of the motivations of states in the international arena on the support of its citizens. Employing a survey experiment, we show the differing effects of self-identity, communal identity, and self-interest frames in moving public support for two policy areas: intervention in genocide and use of coercive interrogation techniques. We find that activating a frame about collective identity consistent with constructivist theories of international relations leads to a polarizing of attitudes on support for intervention in genocide. Further, subjects that were confronted with a self-interest frame were no less likely to support intervention when considering high costs, while subjects in the self-identity condition weakened support in the face of high costs. This runs contrary to expectations about self-interest motivations in international intervention in genocides. For the use of coercive interrogation techniques, subjects in the self-identity condition were significantly more likely to be supportive of the use of coercive interrogation techniques. We discuss the implications of these findings for motivating public support for actions by state leaders.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: A growing body of evidence suggests that parties have created an incentive structure that encourages members to fund-raise for the party and their congressional colleagues, but as yet there has been very little evidence to suggest whether this activity has been efficiently allocated to maximize the party's electoral fortunes. I identify two aspects of individual self-interest--the desire to ingratiate oneself with one's colleagues and the formal reward structure created by the party--that both motivate members to fund-raise for others. These two incentives suggest the potential for two alternative patterns of giving. The first type, benefitting the party involves donations efficiently allocated to areas of need in the congressional campaign committees, challengers and at-risk incumbents, while the second self-interested type suggests donations to all incumbents. Surprisingly, the giving patterns to these two categories are not highly correlated. While these two incentives largely suggest different recipients, the one overlap category is that of vulnerable incumbents. I show that it is giving to this dual incentive compatible sub-group of vulnerable incumbents that best explains advancement within the leadership structure.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Length of stay in the US, and belonging to a later generation of immigrants, have a polarizing effect on group consciousness: they strengthen an American identification, but also favor the development of a minority Latino consciousness.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The objective of this research study is to determine whether non-political majors will better understand interest group politics by learning the political agenda of a professional or hobby-related interest group in which they have a personal stake.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This work examines editorial posturing by a variety of US newspapers on recent efforts by the Federal Communications Commission (and in response, Congress) to alter regulations on media ownership.

There is very strong evidence that, perhaps not surprisingly, the ownership interests of a paper’s parent company influences its editorial stand. Newspapers with cross-ownership (TV and print media) ties were much more likely to favor FCC deregulation efforts loosening ownership restrictions, while those from “print only” companies were not, even controlling for other factors. Second, while the vast majority of media outlets did not present the issue in a “balanced” fashion on their editorial pages by having an equal number of perspectives on both (various) sides of the issue, in opposite fashion the print only outlets on average had a more “imbalanced” - and in their favor - selection of pieces on their editorial page. It appears that in the first instance, newspapers actively promote and favor policies they perceive to protect their economic status. In the second, given the large public outcry and controversy regarding media ownership changes, the fact media with a “conflict of interest” or on the opposite side of the public were more “balanced” than those who were not may in turn reflect their desire to please or at least appease their audience.

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