Political Science

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/53

Political Science faculty's diverse research, teaching and outreach activities engage our students and the community in issues of ethics, power, identity, globalization governance, citizenship and representation. Our faculty are active scholars with recent awards for their publications, outreach, service and teaching.

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Absent autonomy: Relational competence and gendered paths to faculty self-determination in the promotion and tenure process
(2018-09) Skewes, Monica C.; Shanahan, Elizabeth A.; Smith, Jessi L.; Honea, Joy C.; Belou, Rebecca M.; Rushing, Sara; Intemann, Kristen; Handley, Ian M.
This research examines ways in which men and women university faculty sought self-determination in the promotion and tenure (P&T) process. Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 2012) research tends to view autonomy as the central factor in self-determination, taking priority over other psychological needs of relatedness and competence. The P&T process occurs within a context that inherently limits autonomy, providing a unique opportunity to examine experiences of relatedness and competence when autonomy is constrained. We used a qualitative research strategy with a matched case study design to explore how individuals experience the constructs of SDT (i.e., autonomy, competence, and relatedness) within the P&T process. Our project focuses on faculty in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) departments undergoing P&T review at one university. Women faculty in STEM were compared with men faculty at the same rank and in similar departments concurrently going through P&T review. Findings showed that men reported experiencing self-determination via informational competence whereas women approached self-determination through relational competence. Creating a level playing field for faculty navigating the P&T process requires being attuned to different paths to self-determination, fostering relationships between faculty, and clarifying policies and procedures.
Access to Power or Genuine Empowerment? An Analysis of Three Community Forest Groups in Nepal
(Society for Human Ecology, 2004) Lachapelle, Paul; Smith, Patrick D.; McCool, SF
The introduction of community forestry in Nepal represents an attempt to decentralize control and instill democratic reform in the management of forest resources through the direct involvement of individuals in decision making and benefit sharing. Detailed analyses of community forest outcomes, specifically an understanding of the process of self-governance and the exercise of power, remains a critical gap. Using a purposive sampling methodology, we identified 38 forest users representing a diversity of interests in three communities of the middle hills of Nepal and conducted in-depth interviews focusing on perceptions of an ability to exercise power in forest management. Power in this context is defined as the ability to create rules, make decisions, enforce compliance and adjudicate disputes. Our results identify inferiority, vulnerability, and a lack of transparency as factors that keep forest users from exercising power. We conclude that while community forestry offers tremendous potential to practice self-governance, the behavior of individuals based on complex informal institutional arrangements, such as caste and gender, must be accounted for in such formalized policy initiatives. Opportunities to influence power through mandated processes alone fail to fully explain or affect the potential for community forestry. Instead, we note that genuine empowerment is related to capacities involving the skills and confidence necessary to exercise power.
Advancing food democracy: The potential and limits of food policy positions in local government
(Lyson Center for Civic Agriculture and Food Systems, 2021-10) Berglund, Erika; Hassanein, Neva; Lachapelle, Paul; Stephens, Caroline
For several decades, food policy councils (FPCs) have led the effort to place food on local government policy agendas. While FPCs are making progress in supporting local food systems, they also face institutional and organizational challenges. In recent years, a handful of cities and counties have endeavored to further food system reform with the establishment of full-time government staff positions focused on food policy. As of spring 2020, there were 19 confirmed food policy positions housed in local governments across the United States. While there is considerable literature on FPCs, little research has been published regarding food policy staffing in local governments. Accordingly, this study uses original in-depth interviews with 11 individuals in municipal or county food policy positions to understand the purpose and function of governmental food policy staff positions and their impact on local food systems. Our findings suggest that these positions help to coordinate and nurture local food programs and policies and have the potential to facilitate meaningful participation of individuals and groups in the community in food system reform. We discuss the potential benefits and challenges for governmental food policy positions to support food democracy, and provide the following recommendations for communities interested in establishing or strengthening similar positions: (1) identify and coordinate existing opportunities and assets, (2) foster and maintain leadership support, (3) root the work in community, (4) connect with other food policy professionals, and (5) develop a food system vision.
Agriculture in Shifting Climates: The Configuration and Ripeness of Problem Understandings in Uganda and Senegal
(2018-03) Raile, Eric D.; Young, Linda M.; Bonabana-Wabbi, Jackline; Kirinya, Julian; Mbaye, Samba; Wooldridge, Lena; Raile, Amber N. W.; Post, Lori Ann
The international community has advocated the adoption of climate‐smart agriculture (CSA) as lower‐income countries deal with the negative consequences of climate change. Scaling up such policies, practices, and programs successfully will require support from a variety of local stakeholders. Such support requires alignment between CSA solutions and the problem understandings of stakeholders. However, problem understandings can differ across individuals, stakeholder groups, and geographic areas. Consequently, we examine understandings of climate problems and socioeconomic and infrastructure problems related to agriculture among different stakeholder groups in Uganda and Senegal. We operationalized and measured these problem understandings following the detailed guidance of the political will and public will approach for analyzing social change. Semistructured interviews elicited stakeholder‐generated lists of problems for each group. Limited quantification of problem understandings and their relative importance or “ripeness” demonstrates how contexts might shape opportunities for CSA.
Apsaalooke Upsauloouk Bucha Unnaylayda - Crow Men's Health
(MSU Extension, 2009) Lachapelle, Paul; Real Bird, James
Whether they talk about it or not, health is a very important part of all Crow mens' lives. A modern lifestyle of fast-food and little exercise has put this health in jeopardy. In this video, Crow men talk about their feeling on health and the Crow Men's Health Ride. The 2008 ride to Sacrifice Cliff/Four Dances Vision Site acknowledged the importance of health and recognized the young Crow men who gave their lives to save the tribe from smallpox.
An Assessment of the Safety Program within the Department of Interior US Geological Survey
(2013-01) Schmitz, Stephanie L.
The intent of the Occupational Safety and Health Act is to protect American workers from unsafe work environments and provide citizens safe access to America’s natural resources. The safety program of the Department of Interior US Geological Survey is evaluated through qualitative analysis of secondary survey data. The comment data came from 6 years of employee opinion surveys about the USGS safety program. Funding, communication, leadership and management, and program awareness need improvement which will in turn improve the other 12 categories identified by the survey participants. Further effort needs to be made to improve the overall safety program within the US Geological Survey.
Big Skies, Bold Partnerships: Moving Mountains Together Proceedings of the 2017 CDS-NACDEP Conference
(The 2017 Community Development Society / National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals Conference (CDS-NACDEP), 2017-07) Hains, Kris; Hains, Bryan; Lachapelle, Paul; Rice, Trudy
These proceedings are the outcome of the 2017 Community Development Society / National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals Conference (CDS-NACDEP) that took place June 11-14 in Big Sky, Montana. Each of these abstracts underwent a double blind peer review in the winter of 2016-17 and lead authors were notified in the spring of 2017 regarding acceptance. This effort represents the first attempt by both of these organizations to provide a systematic and standardized opportunity for the review process as well as a formal documentation of the reviewed materials. Only Abstracts accepted as Session Presentations are provided here; no Poster Abstracts are detailed in this publication. The abstracts are presented alphabetically by the first author’s last name. The Abstract is presented verbatim as it was submitted by the authors. The compilers wish to recognize and acknowledge and many peer reviewers that provided their time and expertise for the review process as well as the many authors who contributed to this effort. We hope you enjoy these proceedings!
Bounded Stories
(Wiley, 2018-11) Shanahan, Elizabeth A.; Raile, Eric D.; French, Kate A.; McEvoy, Jamie
Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) and framing scholars share an interest in how the construction of policy arguments influences opinions and policy decisions. However, conceptual clarification is needed. This study advances the NPF by clarifying the meaning and function of frames and narrative, as well as their respective roles in creating policy realities. We explore sociological and psychological roots of framing scholarship and map these onto NPF’s science of narratives philosophy, suggesting that narratives can reveal internally held cognitive schemas. We focus on issue categorization frames as boundaries for narrative construction. Within these bounds, narrative settings further focalize the audience by specifying where action toward a solution takes place. Based on 26 interviews with floodplain decision makers in Montana, we capture internally held cognitions through the assemblage of issue categorization frames and narrative elements. We find that settings can traverse issue categorization frames and policy solutions, with actions of characters that unfold within the setting being key. Similarly, we find that a single issue categorization frame can contain multiple different narratives and that individuals may simultaneously hold multiple different narratives internally. Overall, this study contributes to policy process research through establishment of connections among narratives, issue categorization frames, and cognitive schemas.
Characters matter: How narratives shape affective responses to risk communication
(Public Library of Science, 2019-12) Shanahan, Elizabeth A.; Reinhold, Ann Marie; Raile, Eric D.; Poole, Geoffrey C.; Ready, Richard C.; Izurieta, Clemente; McEvoy, Jamie; Bergmann, Nicolas T.; King, Henry
Introduction. Whereas scientists depend on the language of probability to relay information about hazards, risk communication may be more effective when embedding scientific information in narratives. The persuasive power of narratives is theorized to reside, in part, in narrative transportation. Purpose. This study seeks to advance the science of stories in risk communication by measuring real-time affective responses as a proxy indicator for narrative transportation during science messages that present scientific information in the context of narrative. Methods. This study employed a within-subjects design in which participants (n = 90) were exposed to eight science messages regarding flood risk. Conventional science messages using probability and certainty language represented two conditions. The remaining six conditions were narrative science messages that embedded the two conventional science messages within three story forms that manipulated the narrative mechanism of character selection. Informed by the Narrative Policy Framework, the characters portrayed in the narrative science messages were hero, victim, and victim-to-hero. Natural language processing techniques were applied to identify and rank hero and victim vocabularies from 45 resident interviews conducted in the study area; the resulting classified vocabulary was used to build each of the three story types. Affective response data were collected over 12 group sessions across three flood-prone communities in Montana. Dial response technology was used to capture continuous, second-by-second recording of participants’ affective responses while listening to each of the eight science messages. Message order was randomized across sessions. ANOVA and three linear mixed-effects models were estimated to test our predictions. Results. First, both probabilistic and certainty science language evoked negative affective responses with no statistical differences between them. Second, narrative science messages were associated with greater variance in affective responses than conventional science messages. Third, when characters are in action, variation in the narrative mechanism of character selection leads to significantly different affective responses. Hero and victim-to-hero characters elicit positive affective responses, while victim characters produce a slightly negative response. Conclusions// In risk communication, characters matter in audience experience of narrative transportation as measured by affective responses.
Citizen Participation and Interaction
(MSU Extension: Local Government Center, 2010) Lachapelle, Paul
City of Bozeman Ethics Handbook
(MSU Extension: Local Government Center, 2010) Lachapelle, Paul
This ethics handbook is produced by the city of Bozeman Board of ethics to educate citizens and train employees and public officials in best practices and legal requirements. In addition, this handbook details specific ethical requirements and provides guidance on obtaining information and filing complaints. The City Code of Ethics provides legal requirements outlining conduct and best practices as detailed in Chapter 2.01 of the Bozeman Municipal Code.
Class Connections: Congressional Classes and the Republicans of 1994
(2014-10) Rae, Nicol; Pitney, John
Large partisan classes in the House of Representatives are, in important ways, products of the congressional politics of preceding years. The class of 1994 is an example: understanding its origins requires a look at previous classes, especially the often-overlooked class of 1978. The class of 1994 did have a major impact on American politics, but as the fresh-faced outsiders became insiders, their power waned and their personal fortunes darkened.
Climate Action Plan Research Report 2021
(Montana State University, 2021-06) Bondurant, Nicole; Corradino, Dominic; Fitzmaurice, Nicholas; Halvorson, Cy; Myers, Raye; Stone, Megan; Thompson, Jessica; Washburn, Savanna
This report examines both the development and implementation of climate action plans in higher educational settings. Research strategies include conducting a literature review utilizing reference management software; collecting institutional data on universities across the United States; narrowing the scope of our research down to the following four case study institutions based on their similarities to Montana State University: Colorado State University (CSU), University of Montana (UM), Utah State University (USU), and Weber State University (WSU); analyzing those universities’ climate action plans and supporting documents; interviewing individuals involved with climate action plan development and implementation from each university; and synthesizing our data based on thematic categories into key findings. These key findings, addressing what institutions in higher education must accomplish in order to see successful climate action taken on their campus, include but are not limited to (1) Establish and secure a reliable, substantial, and centralized funding source; (2) Secure support and endorsement from top university leadership, primarily the President; (3) Conduct a comprehensive GHG emissions inventory baseline, tracking progress through annual inventories; (4) Create a public carbon neutrality goal with interim benchmarks and detailed steps outlining how to reach them; (5) Engage campus and community stakeholders early and extensively in the planning process; (6) Establish institutional accountability mechanisms to ensure the implementation of projects, goals, and plan updates by explicitly identifying timelines, resources, and responsibilities; (7) Communicate the economics of CAP projects effectively; (8) Acknowledge current data gaps and uncertainties and plan to address them; and (9) Incorporate climate justice. While this study focuses on generating recommendations for the drafting and adoption of a new climate action plan on the Montana State University-Bozeman campus, our findings can also serve as a launchpad for future climate action planning endeavors, adaptations, and mitigation strategies at other higher education institutions striving to respond to the climate crisis.
Community Strategic Visioning as a Method to Address Poverty: An Analysis from Select Rural Montana Communities
(Extension Journal, Inc., 2010) Lachapelle, Paul; Austin, Eric; Clark, D.
Community strategic visioning is a citizen-based planning process in which diverse sectors of a community collectively determine a future state and coordinate a plan of action. Twenty-one communities in rural Montana participated in a multi-phase poverty reduction program that culminated in a community strategic vision process. Research on this process was guided by alternative definitions of poverty and place attachment literature. Results from the qualitative survey data show many descriptions of poverty outside of traditional economic definitions and illustrations on the significance of place. Implications and recommendations on the use of visioning in other contexts in Extension are discussed.
Exploring the Implementation of New Public Service Role within Disaster Management
(2013-01) Ranck, Andrew T.
Disasters, both natural and manmade, can occur throughout the world at any given time and are caused by numerous different types of events. Communities that experience disasters often must utilize contingency plans to manage the direct and after affects carnage of the disasters. Many survivors of disasters must rely on aid from the international community to begin the revitalization process of the community. The international community acts under its own accord doing what it thinks is the best following the aftermath of a disaster within a community. This research project demonstrates the use of the New Public Service model to give local communities the ability to begin the revitalization of the community without the assistance of the international community. By being a part of the community revitalization, the community is able to have a direct impact on the outcomes that will affect the community and its future generations. The new public service model also influences the organizational dynamics, leadership, and coordination of the community in the event of a disaster. This paper demonstrates how New Public Service can be implemented within a disaster stricken community and how it shapes organizational dynamics helping to revitalize the community.
Extension Learning Exchange: Lessons from Nicaragua
(Extension Journal, Inc., 2013) Lachapelle, Paul; Treadwell, P; Howe, Rod
There is a clear need to support global professional development, international education, and collaborative learning opportunities in Extension. The program described here established an international learning exchange in Nicaragua to lead to global professional development and future international collaboration. The primary lessons and outcomes include first-hand experience of how rural outreach/Extension agencies in a foreign culture address similar issues, development of a multi-disciplined Extension educator network, opportunities for information sharing with U.S./ Nicaraguan colleagues, and realization of the role Extension educators play as global citizens to develop innovative Extension programs within a global context. Implications for future exchanges are discussed.
Finding a Way to Deliberative Democracy: Rural Montana Historical Societies and the Reinvigoration of the Social Bond
(2013-12) Higgins, Megan M.
The practicalities of public administration accepting O.C. McSwite’s challenge to become the new carrier of the social bond are formidable. This study argues that for public administration to successfully transition from a market-based bond to a social bond of discourse, it is the responsibility of citizens to first firmly established public discourse as a practice in civil society. This study asks: as a civic association, to what extent does a historical society have the capacity to reinvigorate the social bond? To answer that question this research uses a qualitative strategy in conducting an exploratory study of four rural Montana historical societies and their attendant museums. The findings show that rural historical societies, as active caretakers of community identity within the political realm of civil society, meet the benchmarks for the reinvigoration of the social bond: concern for community welfare; acknowledgement of a mutual dependence within civil society; recognition of a multiplicity of diverse views; and a commitment to public engagement in collaborative, consensus driven decision-making.
Fingerprint-based background checks for personal care workers: Stakeholder views of policy criteria
(2017-05) Raile, Eric D.; Swierenga, Sarah; Dennis, Toni A.; Swanson-Aprill, Lauren A.; Post, Lori A.; Abujarad, Fuad
Decision makers face difficult choices when tasked with identifying and implementing appropriate mechanisms for protecting the elderly and other vulnerable adults from abuse. A pilot project involving fingerprint-based criminal history background checks for personal care workers in Michigan has supplied an opportunity to examine one such mechanism. In conjunction with the pilot project, we have conducted a stakeholder analysis with the aim of informing decision makers about stakeholder perceptions of standard policy criteria like effectiveness, efficiency, and equity. We employed focus groups and a Web-based survey to collect data from stakeholders. While stakeholders generally see fingerprint-based background checks for personal care workers as potentially effective and as a net benefit, they also point to a variety of contingencies. They also recognize difficulties and constraints for government involvement. This preliminary analysis provides solid foundational information for decision makers and for more extensive benefit-cost analysis.
Indigenous Peoples' Responses to Conquest
(Elsevier BV, 2022) Wilmer, Franke
While American students learn that Columbus' first voyage to the western hemisphere set the stage for colonization and settler states that are regarded by many as successful democracies, Indigenous peoples living in those states today view that historical chapter less favorably. For many Indigenous peoples, who originated in these areas before the arrival of European settlers, the arrival of Europeans signaled a long period of struggle for their physical and cultural survival. Yet they have never remained passive in the face of imperialistic and settler state-building, and their resistance presents these democracies with new challenges.
Individual Interpretation Matters: The Influence of Policy Narrative Elements on Individual Policy Preference
(2013-01) Adams, Stephanie M.
Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) provides a framework for analyzing how policy narrative elements can influence an individual’s policy preference in a manner that adheres to traditional scientific standards. At the micro-level, NPF is nascent in empirically testing whether specific narrative elements have an effect in influencing individual opinion formation. The narrative element of causal mechanism, which is embedded in policy narratives to assign responsibility and blame, is an important element that has not yet been examined. This study utilizes an experimental design to analyze which specific type of causal mechanism has a greater influence on individual opinion. As a treatment, four policy narratives were developed based on the two opposing policy preferences expressed in public comments pertaining to a controversial land use issue in Montana. For each policy preferences two narratives were developed; one with an inadvertent and another with an intentional casual mechanism. A survey pre-test measured the dependent variables of policy opinion, while controlling for policy preference, general knowledge, and political ideology. A control narrative was also employed. After exposure to one of the five randomly assigned policy narratives, a post-test was administered to determine changes in policy opinion. A probability sample of college students was employed, with n=778. Both paired t-tests and regression analyses reveal that the intentional casual mechanism has the ability to strongly influence an individual policy preference. The inadvertent causal mechanism influences those who initially hold an opposing policy preference than the one presented in the narrative. The importance of this study for public administrators is that it further illuminates the influence that narrative elements, specifically causal mechanisms, can have on influencing individual opinion.