American Institutions and Local/State Governance

Explore

Anagha Nagesh

I am writing a review article comparing American welfare policies, including Medicare, Social Security, SNAP, Unemployment Aid, and Housing, using the criteria of beneficiary satisfaction, economic input/output, and sustainability. Through a comprehensive analysis of research studies evaluating these criteria, I aim to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each program. Based on this analysis, I will suggest components of successful programs that should be combined to create an optimal welfare program.

Sam Galli

My research project examines the evolution of judicial precedent, particularly in the United States Supreme Court and federal courts, focusing on lesser-known cases. For instance, I explore shifts in the Court's interpretation of the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment over recent decades and speculate on future changes and their implications for Americans. By analyzing these trends, I aim to illuminate broader shifts in constitutional interpretation and their potential impacts on legal rights and societal norms.

Allison Cho

As a fellow on environmental justice, my project focuses on the detrimental effects of oil drilling in California, particularly on residents in marginalized communities. Oil drilling operations, often situated near vulnerable populations, expose residents to toxic emissions and various health hazards. To address this, current legislative efforts include bills such as AB 2716, which imposes a fine of $10,000 per day on oil companies operating stripper wells within 0.5 miles of communities. Additionally, AB 3155 empowers individuals experiencing specific health harms from toxic drilling emissions to hold oil companies liable, providing a means for affected residents to seek justice and reparations. Through these measures, California aims to mitigate the adverse impacts of oil drilling and protect the health and well-being of its most vulnerable communities.

Sophie Lu

My project investigates the implementation of environmental law across U.S. presidencies, starting with the green revolution's impact on agriculture. I will analyze 3-5 key environmental policies enacted or reversed by presidents, beginning with Nixon, known for his environmental initiatives. Using state-level environmental data, I aim to establish correlations between these policies and their environmental impacts. I will evaluate each policy's projected impact based on methodologies discussed in Bennear and Coglianese (2004). The research also explores the influence of polarized politics on environmental reform progress.

Xavier Ramirez

This paper utilizes Deleuze and Guattari's concept of Faciality to critically analyze U.S. immigration politics, particularly its treatment of Mexican immigrants. Deleuze and Guattari argue that faciality constructs power relations through semiotic systems, which normalize and dominate based on facial norms. Applying this framework, the paper examines how U.S. immigration policies establish a sociopolitical hierarchy that marginalizes and alienates Mexican immigrants, categorizing them as 'non-citizens' or 'aliens'. It contends that this process subjects them to symbolic violence, exploitation, and systemic alienation, shaping their societal positioning within American discourse, media, and policy, notably along the U.S.-Mexico border and across the nation.

Avyay Parmeswaran

My research paper analyzes the intersection of the economy and immigration, focusing on specific countries to examine immigration patterns and related policies. I will analyze economic factors alongside immigration trends and policy changes to deduce their impacts on national economies. By studying these correlations, I aim to gain clearer insights into how immigration influences economic dynamics and policy outcomes.