http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm from the political science department at Union Univeristy Copyright 2010 Union University Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:47:34 CST http://www.uu.edu/images/Crest_Horizontal-300.jpg http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm On Monday, March 1st, the Center for Politics & Religion and Life 139 hosted pro-life speaker, author, and trainer Scott Klusendorf before a group of students and faculty at Union University's Grant Center. Klusendorf, president and founder of the Life Training Institute, spoke of his experiences debating the pro-life issue. Having debated pro-choice proponents like former ACLU president Nadine Strossen, Klusendorf shared several arguments and stories from his extensive experience. Afterwards he signed books and spoke with several students. http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=199 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=199 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at Union University) Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CST Union University junior guard "http://www.uu.edu/athletics/info/players/player.cfm?ID=169"&rt;<font color="#990000"&rt;Kayla Hudson</font&rt;, a political science major, passed the 1,000 career point mark in the Lady Bulldog win at Bethel (Tenn.) University on Thursday. Hudson, a native of Gleason, Tenn., sank a three pointer to open the game for her 1,000th point. She finished the game with 18 points. The NAIA All-American Hudson has been a part of one national championship team, made two trips to the national tournament semifinals, and has helped Union to two TranSouth Titles. During her two-plus years with Union, the Lady Bulldogs have gone 94-3. Hudson has been Union’s starting point guard in each of those 97 games. For her career, Hudson has scored 1,015 points and has dished out 574 assists in 97 games. She is averaging 10.4 points and 5.9 assists per game. Hudson is a career 46 percent three-point shooter (190-414). She is also a 90 percent career free-throw shooter (209-232). revised news release of Steven Aldridge, Union University's Sports Information Director http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=195 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=195 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at Union University) Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 CST This past Saturday, the Department graduated two students. During her time at Union, <strong&rt;Megan Owen</strong&rt;, of Gleason, TN, served on the Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Councils, was Secretary of Pi Sigma Alpha, President of the Pre-Law Society, Secretary of College Republicans, and Senator to the SGA. She was also an intern with West Jackson Baptist's Youth Program and she was very involved in multiple community service projects. She will begin a position this January as part of First Baptist Church of Jackson's Youth and College Ministry. <strong&rt;Cooper McKelvey</strong&rt;, of Jackson, TN, is a past Vice PResident of Lambda Chi Alpha and a member of SIFE. In addition, he participated in Relay for Life, food drives, and other community projects. Cooper will begin work with Northwestern Insurance in February. The Department wishes these two the best of luck as they begin this new phase of their life. http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=190 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=190 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at Union University) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 CST This past week, Dr. Randy Phillips, Director of Research at Union University, announced the winners of the Undergraduate Research Grants for 2009-2010. One of the competitive research grants went to Matthew Kuchem, a senior from Ft. Worth, TX, and Katie Mohler, a junior from Louisville, KY, for working with Drs. Sean Evans and Micah Watson of the Department of Political Science on the College Evangelical Survey. The grant is to help the students work with Drs. Evans and Watson as they prepare a survey of college evangelical students to determine their beliefs and attitudes and the role faith has in shaping their beliefs. This work builds on the work of James Hunter survey of college evangelicals students in 1982 when the Christian Right became more well-known and the work that was continued by Jim Penning and Corwin Smidt in 1996. Their research found that there was not much of a change in the beliefs of evangelical students in the intervening years indicating that modernization was not undermining the beliefs of evangelicals and indicating that the Christian Right would remain strong. This grants allows Kuchem and Mohler to work with Drs. Evans and Watson continue this study. Over the past decade or so, evangelicalism has seen tremendous change with the disappearance of the Moral Majority and the Christian Coalition and a growing sense, among some, that political engagement has failed leading some Christians to focus on changing hearts instead of using political action. Moreover, evangelicalism has seen an increase in the number of issues that faith addresses as the environment and social justice are being more prominent. Finally, we see large support among young people, including evangelicals, for Barack Obama which may indicate that evangelicals are moving toward a more centrist politics. In their survey, the investigators hope to examine these trends by examining the political beliefs of college evangelicals students today. The investigators plan to pilot test their survey on Union students this spring and then carry out a national survey of college evangelical students in the next couple of years by surveying students at select evangelicals schools across the nation. http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=186 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=186 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at Union University) Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 CST This past Monday, Dr. Sean Evans gave a lecture on "Green Politics and Christianity" for the Town and Gown Lecture Series on Christians and the Environment. In his lecture, Dr. Evans discussed how the combination of global warming, globalization, and overpopulation leads to five problems.         First, the rise of China, India, and the developing world are increasing the demand for scare energy resources. The world is at or near "peak oil" which is when the oil producing countries are maxing out their production. Add this to the addition of 2 billion more people wanting to live like Americans creates greater energy demand. Second, these changes create new security threats to the US and international system. The rise of oil rich nations leads to non-responsive nations that can buy off opposition at home, finances the reversal of democratic trends in Russia, Venezuela, and elsewhere, and funds both sides of the war on terror (US tax dollars to fight terrorist and oil money that funds terrorists). Moreover, overpopulation creates a large group of young people in developing nations who do not have their needs met which may make extremism more attractive while conflicts over water are probably the next major source of conflict. Fourth, disruptive climate change may lead to more extreme weather, hotter climates resulting in more pests that survive freezes and threaten crops, a higher pH level of the ocean threatening coral reefs which are key to acquatic sea life, and higher water levels. Fifth, energy povery means those without reliable energy to run industry, connect to the wider world, and thus stay competitive will continue to fall farther and farther behind.         As Christians, Dr. Evans suggested several values guide the policy solution. First, there is a need for a global solution because actions of one nation are not enough. Second, Christians should be stewards who adminster our affairs and possessions as if they are God's. This has environmental, economic, and human development aspects. Third, and related to stewardship, is sustainability which is promoting change that neither damages the environment nor uses up finite resources. Fourth, stewardship also promote equity or justice between generations and rich and poor. Intergenerational equity demands that each generation has the right to inherit the same diversity in natural, cultural, and financial resources of each previous generation and to equitable access to the  use and benefits of these resources. It also demands that each person have the same risk of environmental damage as everyone else. Fifth, we should pursue policies that promote US and international security. Sixth, we should promote economic growth as it is the key to human development and helping the poor escape povery. Seventh, we should promote policies that promote air and water quality to promote health. Finally, we need to preserve and adapt our way of life as much as possible because radical change is not politically possible.        Dr. Evans recommended an "all of the above" solution to the energy problem. First, we need to continue to produce fossil fuels like oil because they are used so heavily in industry. This means drilling in ANWR and off shore is probably necessary. We can try clean coal and natural gas but clean coal may not be technically possible and natural gas, though it emits less than oil and coal, still emits quite a bit of carbon dioxide. Second, we need more nuclear power because renewable energies are not cost efficient yet. This may mean government funding of nuclear reactors because the start up costs are huge but once up, nuclear reactors produce cheap, clean energy. However, we need policies that prevent nuclear weapon proliferation worldwide. Third, we need to promote more renewable energy. Since renewable energy costs are much more expensive than fossil fuels, we need to create demand for renewable energy so industry will use the economies of scale and innovation to reduce its costs. The easiest way may be a renewable energy mandate that requires utilities to use a certain percentage of renewable energy by a date certain. This provides the financial incentives for others to create the technology to make it more affordable. We can then use our advantage in green technology to sell it to the developing world creating more jobs in the US. Fourth, we need to upgrade our electric grid which is antequated, piece meal, and not set up for cross-continent energy transfers and alternative energy. This could lead to smart homes where computers control energy use and see that appliances uses energy when it costs less. Fifth, we need to conserve more with higher energy standards for homes, appliances, cars, etc.          To conserve ecosystems, the government  needs to do several things. First, it needs to set aside certain areas that are off limits to development and exploitation. Second, local ares need diverse eco systems need to work to insure that they can use the area without destroying. This may lead to smart farming where equipment measures the need for fertilizer and puts just the right amoung to prevent run off that threatens streams and other wildlife. Third, we need to develop better land use policies to use the developed land better. Fourth, we need incentives for industry to protect natural habitats with things like ecotourism. Finally, we need to improve the education system so Americans develop knowledge skills over manufacturing jobs that are disappearing.        For population growth, economic development is key. Poor families need more children to make money to support them or work the land. Modernization means more kids make you poorer as you have to support them. This lead to better population control methods than family planning which prevent ethical dilemmas concerning, abortion, eugenics, etc. http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=179 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=179 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at Union University) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST On Thursday, October 22 at 7:00 pm Dr. Hunter Baker presented a lecture entitled "The Failure of Secularism" at Union University. Sponsored by the Center for Politics and Religion and attended by several PSC students, the event offered Dr. Baker an opportunity to offer an account of various approaches to political thinking throughout the Western Tradition. <br /&rt; Dr. Baker surveyed several signfiicant thinkers, beginning with Plato and Aristotle and moving on to Augustine and Thomas Aquinas. These philosophers represent a way of thinking about politics that engages with questions about the good, the true, and the divine. Beginning with Machiavelli and continuing to this day, an alternative tradition of moral and political inquiry has arisen that seeks mainly to discern what "works" and eschews questions usually associated with religion and moral realism. Dr. Baker is the author of a recent book,"http://www.amazon.com/End-Secularism-Hunter-Baker/dp/1433506548"&rt; The End of Secularism. http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=178 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=178 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at Union University) Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CST Congressman John Tanner (D-TN) and Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) spoke to Union students and community members of "Bipartisanship in Washington" for the Jones Lecture Series. The two members of congress blamed the rise of partisanship in congress on gerrymandering, the 24 hours news cycle, and a change in congressional work weeks.  First, Congressman Tanner focused on the rise of gerrymandered districts that are drawn to elect a Republican or Democrat. With the rise of computer technology, we can identify where the Democratic and Republican voters are and we pack the districts with partisans to insure the election. This leads to the parties to nominate candidates who are more ideological and these candidates can win because the disticts are not competitive. These changes contribute to the ideological gulf between candidates which, in turn, make it difficult to work together.  Second, Congresswoman Emerson blamed much of the partisanship on the changes in the media. She said that the 24 hour news programs leads the news to focus more on entertainment to gain viewers. This leads them to put the members who are more extreme on tv because they will make news by saying outrageous things. Moreover, talk radio and the internet has removed the filters that the mainstream media use to use to keep out the personal, mean-spirited attacks. Because of these changes, media is less objective and more partisan and people read and watch the news that reinforces what they already believe. Without hearing the other side, they do not have enough information to make objective conclusions. Third, Emerson also blamed the change in work weeks. In the past, members of congress stayed in Washington and socialized with members of the other party. They did this because it was more difficult to get home each week. When you know someone, it is much harder to attack them. With the increased availability and affordability of transportation, members of congress visit the constituency each week. This reduces the number of relationships they have with the other party making it easier to demonize them. The solution to the problem then is gerrymander reform, a more active, engaged citizenry, and more personal relations with members of the other party. Congressman Tanner proposed a national law that would lead independents (either former judges or neutral legislative staff) to draw districts to insure competition. This change would lead to more moderate members because extremist could not get elected and would lead to more bipartisan cooperation. Emerson also would like a more active, engaged citizenry that would seek out additional sources of information so they could see throw the ideological fog and make more objective decisions. She would also like to see members of congress interact more with each other because personal ties would reduce the chance that you would attack other members. http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=176 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=176 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at Union University) Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CST On September 17th, to recognize Constitution Day, Dr. Jeffry Morrison of Regent University presented an address entitled "Religion in the Constitutionalism of George Washington." Dr. Morrison emphasized the deliberateness with which Washington crafted his public addresses and letters, invoking biblical language and imagery in his response both to religious minorities and majorities. While noting that the status of Washington's own religious beliefs remains ambiguous, Morrison explained how Washington say the necessary link between religious belief, the inculcation of virtue, and a viable republic. The address was co-sponsored by the Center for Politics & Religion, the Department of Politics, and the Dean of Students. http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=171 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=171 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at Union University) Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CST   Recently, Micah Watson, Assistant Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Politics and Religion, wrote an article entitlted ""http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2009/06/375"&rt;Is the Abortion Debate Over?" for the Witherspoon Institute that was picked up by Real Clear Politics. The article discusses how pro-life supporters can build on recent shifts in public opinion on abortion to better equip grassroots activisits with the training and knowledge to convince more people to support pro-life policies. This is significant because Real Clear Politics is a clearinghouse of must-read op-ed pieces, polling data, and other information that is read by political insiders. By having his article reprinted in RCP, Watson's article was recognized as something that elites should read increasing the influence of his article. http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=168 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=168 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at Union University) Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 CST <div&rt;The Department of Political Science is graduating three majors and three minors today and we wish them the best as they begin the next stage of their careers.</div&rt; <div&rt; </div&rt; <div&rt;<strong&rt;Alexandria Scarbrough</strong&rt; of Germantown, TN will start Vanderbilt Law School in the fall. While at Union, she was President of Pi Sigma Alpha (the Political Science Honor Society), co-authored a published article with Dr. Cooney, worked on a grant with Dr. Evans, was a student ambassador, and member of Kappa Delta, L'Alliance Francaphone, and Sigma Tau Delta (English Honor Society). Besides getting into Vanderbilt, she was accepted into the University of Virginia Law School (A Top 10 Law School in the Nation), received a graduate fellowship to attend the College of William & Mary Law School, and a full scholarship to attend Baylor University Law School.</div&rt; <div&rt; </div&rt; <div&rt;<strong&rt;Jordan Scott</strong&rt; of Clarksville, TN will attend University of Alabama football games this fall as a One L at Alabama's Law School where he is on a full scholarship. Jordan was also offered a half tuition scholarship to attend Vanderbilt and was accepted into Georgetown Law School and the University of Tennessee Law School. During his time at Union, Jordan was active in the student government association serving as Vice President of the Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Class, an active member of Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature including one term as a State Supreme Court Justice, managed the mayoral campaign of Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris, and worked on a grant with Dr. Evans.</div&rt; <div&rt; </div&rt; <div&rt;<strong&rt;Nathan Tilly</strong&rt; of Dyersburg, TN will start the University of Tennessee Law School this fall after being accepted into the University of Kentucky, Ole Miss, and University of Memphis Law Schools. While at Union, Nathan was President of the Union Pre-Law Society, active in the student government association, and a Life Group Leader.</div&rt; <div&rt; </div&rt; <div&rt;<strong&rt;Carl Harken</strong&rt;, History Major and Political Science Minor, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is applying for a medical redshirt and hopes to pitch one more season for the Union University baseball team while starting an MA in Education at Union.</div&rt; <div&rt; </div&rt; <div&rt;<strong&rt;Andrew Jackson</strong&rt;, History Major and Political Science Minor from Gleason, TN, will work for the Social Security Administration as a claims rep while working on his MBA at Bethel College. While at Union, he was a member of Lambda Chi fraternity, went on Go Trips to Germany, led a Life Group, and worked as a runner for Pentecost and Glenn Law Firm.</div&rt; <div&rt; </div&rt; <div&rt;<strong&rt;Austin McClain</strong&rt;, Philosophy Major and Political Science Minor from Cordova, TN, will enter the US Army after graduation. assigned to the 19th Calvary Division. A K really enjoys music and spends a good deal of his time, playing, listening, and writing music. He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha, the music fraternity, and always impresses everyone with his performances at Variety Show, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, etc.</div&rt; <div&rt; </div&rt; http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=166 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=166 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at Union University) Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 CST Last night, most of the majors and minors attended Evanspalooza, the annual year end cookout for political science students. While at Evanspalooza, students enjoyed the hamburgers and hot dogs, marveled at the improvements that the soon-to-be Dr/Mrs. Evans has made to Dr. Evans' home, celebrated the achievements of the graduating seniors, and recalled the good times from the past year. The highlight of Evanspalooza was the awards ceremony and senior farewell addresses. Jordan Scott received the award for Outstanding Political Science major while Alex Scarbrough received the John Burgess Award from the Tennessee Political Science Association for outstanding work in political science. Carl Harken received the award for Outstanding Political Science Minor but was unable to receive it because he was playing with Union's baseball team in the Regionals. The Department then awarded the prizes for outstanding research papers. First place, and $100, went to Nathan Tilly for his paper "Evangelical Political Identity: Is there evidence of a move to the middle?" Second place, and $75, went to Jordan Scott for his paper "District Partisanship and Candidate Ideology in the 2006 Congressional Elections." Third place, and $50, went to Alex Scarbrough for her paper "Defining Greatness: Lessons on Leadership from the Lives and Presidencies of Washington, Lincoln, & FDR." The graduating seniors then got to answer a few questions where we found out that Tilly considers Coburn (dining hall) a cuss word and that all our graduates would hate to be a teacher. On the bright side though, in their pearls of wisdom for underclassmen, they mentioned how much they benefitted from the time spent with their professors and they encouraged all of them to spend time in their offices and learn as much as they can from them. http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=165 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=165 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at Union University) Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 CST Jon Mark Walls, a political science graduate in 2007, just completed an internship with the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. While at the Carter Center, Walls was assigned him to the Americas Program Access to Information Program where he examined freedom of information laws in Latin America. During his time there, he was responsible for developing knowledge of Latin American politics. Through his reasearch, he found it to be complex, very personality driven, and past history playing an important role in shaping relations between Latin American states. Due to his work at the Carter Center, Walls was even made responsible for writing a briefing book on Brazil for former President Jimmy Carter before he traveled to the region. One of his main tasks while at the center was coming up with a means of measuring freedom of information laws to show where nations where and how far they needed to go to promote more transparency in government. As part of his duties, he assisted organizing a conference in Peru to promote the Atlanta Declaration on Access to Information in Latin America bringing government, media, and civil society leaders from most nations in Latin America together. Walls also got to spend time with the Carters. Besides attending functions of the Center, Walls did tai chi with former First Lady Roslyn Carter, had lunch with President Carter where they discussed bird dogs along with freedom of religion in China, was given a tour of Plains by Mrs. Carter, and attended church with the former First Family. Walls claimed that it was a great experience and thought that the political science program helped him be successful. While he was initially unsure of himself since most of his other interns had Ivy League educations or graduate degrees, he quickly found that he can perform at the same level as his colleagues and then some. Consequently, the director of his program gave him more and more responsibility as time went on. Walls attributes part of his success to Union's ability to teach him to analyze situations, communicate his ideas, and think on his feet. Before Jon Mark started the internship with the Carter Center, he spent one year in France teaching English as a Second Language and the fall of 2008 teaching English as a Second Language in Chile. After spending the summer and fall in the states, Walls will begin his Masters at the Geneva School of International Relations and Diplomacy as a Rotary Scholar beginning in December. http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=160 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=160 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at Union University) Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 CST Professor David Lewis of Vanderbilt University spoke last night on Obama's First 100 days. If grading Obama, he said that he deserves an incomplete because there has not been enough time to truly assess him but so far he thinks Obama has done well. Lewis began by discussing Obama's presidential style and thinks that there are three ways that he is changing the presidency. First, Obama is the "ever present president" constantly on the news as he reinforces the idea that he is working to solve the serious problems we face. The problem is that the president is weak in that it is difficult to achieve one's goals but the frenetic pace is something that the public may begin to expect. Second, Obama understands the power of symbols through his acceptance speech, victory speech, and presidential actions. The question is whether the symbolism will last and whether it will be matched with substance? Third, he has married political strategy and policy with technology by using his grassroots support to pressure congress. More and more politicians will attempt this changing the face of politics. Lewis also talked about the size of his agenda and the difficulty he may have passing it. Obama's budget is his blueprint but he must get his agenda through and that will be more difficult. And Obama will be judged by his results. The problem is that he is trying to rush to do everything and may succeed in nothing. Obama is not helped by restoring bipartisanship because none really exists. Lewis said that Obama tried initially but gave up after he realized that the parties are too polarized to cooperate. Lewis then talked about what we should see moving forward. First, he said that Obama's agenda is historic and that if he gets it through then he will have to be considered one of the most formidable presidents in history. However, the Republicans will oppose it and Democrats will become more divided over time. Obama has a short window to get a lot through before the public blames Obama for our problems which makes his job even more difficult. Second, Lewis emphasized that passing legislation is not enough; it must also be effectively implemented. In examining Obama as an executive, he said that Obama has a propensity to centralize control in the White House. He is especially doing this by creating Tsars. The problem is that by empowering these individuals that it leaves little role for cabinet members as policy makers. The question is whether cabinet members will be content to be middle managers and whether Tsars have the power to make Cabinet members do what she wants. Third, Obama appointments have been centrist so far but that may change. Obama needed to appoint Clintonistas because they are the only Democrats with experience to run a government. Obama is appointing more liberal people to subcabinet positions grooming them for cabinet positions and creating a more liberal pool for future Democrats to choose their appointees from.  Lewis concluded saying that he gives him an incomplete so the progress is good so far. The questions that will determine his overall success we do not have answers to so far. Will the stimulus work? Will offers to talk with Iran and others work? Will his appointees be successful? Does he have the steel to lead the world? Overall, Lewis said that due to fatigue of the Bush years and the desire for change, Obama is like the baseball player coming up to bat with two outs and the bases loaded? He can strike out or hit an home run. What Obama will do, we will find out in time.   http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=159 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=159 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at Union University) Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 CST Jordan Scott, a graduating senior from Savannah, TN, has decided to attend the University of Alabama Law School. While it helps that he is a Crimson Tide fan and he cannot wait to watch Nick Saban and the Tide in Bryant Denny Stadium, the fact that UA offered him a full tuition scholarship plus book money surely helped make the decision. But, Jordan did have a decision to make. Jordan was also accepted into Georgetown Law School, Vanderbilt University Law School which offered him a half tuition scholarship and the University of Tennessee Law School. Jordan is also on the the wait list of Duke University. Jordan has been a leader on campus throughout his time at Union serving as Vice President of the Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Class while serving as an officer of Pi Sigma Alpha (the political science honor society) and the Union Pre-Law Society. Jordan was also an active member of the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature and served as a justice on the first Tennessee Intercollegiate Supreme Court. Jordan also applies his leadership skills to practical politics as he served as the campaign manager for Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris' campaign. The Department is proud of Jordan and all that he has accomplished and wish him the best in law school, his future in corporate law, and we fully expect to see him in elective office some day. http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=152 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=152 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at Union University) Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 CST Last week, Dr. Sean Evans, associate professor and chair of the Department of Political Science, returned to his old stomping grounds in and around Denver, Colorado to present a paper on progressive ambition in the US House of Representatives at the Southwest Political Science Association. His paper, with two former colleagues from the University of Alabama, examines the decision of members of the House of Representatives to decide to retire from politics, run for reelection, or run for higher office. His paper which examines this decision of all members of congress from the 80th-110th congresses (1947-2008) showed that members are likely to retire from politics when they think they will lose due to adverse electoral conditions like bad year for their president's party, scandal, redistricting, and marginal district. Members also retire out due to age and its accompanying health and energy concerns and years of service as members seek to do something else. Surprisingly, his paper also showed that the financial strains of serving in congress leads members to retire as they seek higher paying jobs to make up for having two residences and meeting educational and other expenses for their families. Members decide to run for higher office if they are from a small state, their is an open seat for the US Senate or governor's mansion, redistricting forces them from their congressional seat, His paper also found that older and more senior members are also more likely to run for higher office. This indicates that the more experienced and presumably more skilled members run for higher office which should produce better governing in the US Senate and Governor's Mansions. Overall, the results indicate that most retirement is strategic or voluntary. This calls into question the responsiveness of congress because members retire when they choose to and not when the public may want to change direction in policy. This also indicates that the status quo is advantaged and attempts to enact change will be very difficult. On the brighter side though, safe incumbents are also more likely to withstand electoralpressure which allows them potentially deliberate more dispassionately and to pass politically difficult legislation that is necessary to improve the country. Dr. Evans, who received spent six years in graduate school at the University of Colorado where he received his Ph.D., was also reminded how beautiful the Rocky Mountains really are and was glad that he got to talk to some old friends that he had not seen in quite a while. http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=153 http://www.uu.edu/dept/politicalscience/news.cfm?ID=153 webmaster@uu.edu (Department of Political Science at Union University) Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 CST