Four students from the University of Arkansas at Monticello presented original research and participated in panel discussions at the 2018 Arkansas Political Science Association conference recently at Arkansas State University.
Zachery Birdsong, a senior psychology and political science double major from Horatio; Hunter Hall, a senior political science major from Rison; Alannah Hensley, a senior creative writing major from Monticello; and Dylan McClain, a junior political science major from Monticello, made up the UAM delegation.
Birdsong, Hall and McClain gave 20-minute presentations followed by question and answer sessions.
Birdsong’s paper, entitled: “The Role of Logic and Ethics in Governmental Legislative Processes,” focused on the relationship between the making of laws and the moral and ethical dimension of the process. His conclusion was that laws are only as good as those who create them, meaning that legislators must approach their duties logically and from the perspective of the common good.
Hall presented his paper entitled: “An In-Depth Study and Categorization of Lt. Governor’s Powers and Responsibilities Nationwide.” His paper explored the varying roles and powers of lieutenant governors across the nation and proposed a way to rank the positions by the authority they are granted from their respective state’s constitutions. In addition to presenting a new working model to classify these positions, Hall discussed the next steps in this ongoing project.
McClain’s paper, entitled: “A Sustainable Plan for Economic Development in Developing Nations,” presented a hybrid case study comparing the United Arab Emirates and Qatar (two sustainable Middle Eastern states) against Sudan and Yemen (two failed Middle Eastern states). The objective of the project was to examine, then create a sustainable development plan that utilizes low risk (gradual development), high reward (rapid industrialization) methods of development capable of fostering sustainable growth within developing nations.
Hensley participated in a political theory roundtable chaired by Carol Strong, an associate professor political science at UAM. Panel discussions focused on an essay written by Václav Havel – a dissident and playwright in the former Czechoslovakia entitled “Power of the Powerless.” Strong also participated on a roundtable discussion about integrating civic engagement projects into the university classroom.