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The Colorado Political Science Review is proud to present its first feature edition of honors theses from students in the Political Science and International Affairs programs at the 911±¬ÁÏÍø. The honors thesis process is one of the most rigorous experiences that any undergraduate can partake in. It takes months of hard work, discipline, and resolve to see a thesis project through to completion. In this edition of the Colorado Political Science Review, we are highlighting six such projects. From a project highlighting the shifts in European political thought to an analysis of the insider trading practices of the American Congress, honors thesis projects in the realms of political science and international affairs highlight various intriguing perspectives. These projects epitomize CPSR’s goal of highlighting student-written work that contributes to the academic discussion of political science and international affairs. We wish to congratulate all six authors on completing their honors theses and wish them the best of luck in their careers post-graduation.

Readers can find the CPSR 2025 Honors Thesis Edition here.

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Meet the authors of the articles featured in the honors thesis edition!

Delaney Callahan

Delaney is a Political Science major and Journalism minor. After graduation, she plans to move to Washington, D.C., where she will work as part of a Congressional communications team. Delaney looks forward to the opportunity to grow in a communications team on the Hill and hopes to one day become a press secretary for a Member of Congress.

Abstract: This paper examines the rise of far-right parties in Western Europe, focusing on the role of culture and traditional values in driving electoral success. The central argument is that traditional values, encompassing social conservatism, opposition to progressive social changes, and religious identity, have become a dominant driver of far-right support since 2017, surpassing the influence of immigration concerns. Using data from the European Social Survey (ESS) from 2002-2024, the study finds that traditional values predict far-right voting, with a significant increase in support from 2018 onward. The analysis shows that individuals with higher traditional values were far more likely to vote for far-right parties, with a dramatic rise in the probability of support from 5% to 25% for the most traditional voters in the post-2017 period. The findings indicate that while immigration remains relevant, cultural conservatism is now a new and significant factor driving far-right success. Through a comparative analysis of France’s National Rally, Italy’s Brothers of Italy, and Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD), the paper explores how these parties have leveraged cultural narratives to resonate with voters. Case study findings reveal that far-right parties across Europe have successfully mobilized voters by prioritizing cultural issues, rather than solely relying on economic or immigration concerns. This trend highlights the increasing importance of cultural conservatism in shaping European politics. Ultimately, the paper concludes that the surge in far-right support is not based on previous explanations like economic turmoil, a reaction to immigration, or party competition, but that cultural factors, specifically the preservation of national identity and traditional values, are driving the growth of far-right movements, reshaping the political landscape in Europe.

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Valentina Ishchenko

Valentina is an International Affairs major, French minor, and has pursued certificates in both European Union Studies and Peace & Conflict Studies. She plans to take a gap year to solidify her interest in jurisprudence and intends to enroll in law school in the Fall of 2026.

Abstract: The modern Olympic Games, lauded as a celebration of global unity and international peace, operates within a systemic framework riddled with paradoxes. While the International Olympic Committee (IOC) espouses noble goals of inclusivity and diplomacy through sport, its historical foundations of exclusivism, colonialism, and elitism trickle into the 21st century, underscoring the institution’s complex reality. Rings of Fire begins in its historical analysis of the Olympic Games, revealing the linkage between the institution’s aristocratic foundations and its contemporary operations. This analysis examines the IOC’s evolution from a self-proclaimed humble, not-for-profit athletic showcase to a profit-driven and exploitative enterprise, one which directly contributes to the mass displacement and lowered socioeconomic conditions of a nation’s most vulnerable. My approach will critically assess the IOC’s role in perpetuating inequality and occidental hegemony, analyzing the paradoxical nature of the institution’s mission versus its tangible execution. My thesis seeks to understand the influence of systemic exploitation, sporting imperialism, and systemic inequality as integral facets of the IOC’s operations, ultimately providing an examination of the institution’s performativity and ulterior prerogatives beyond the strife of unity through sport. Exploring both the socioeconomic and geopolitical repercussions of the Olympics will contribute to a critique of the institution, assessing the behind-the-scenes operations of the Games. Effectively, I seek to position the IOC as a point of focus for international scrutiny.

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Sam Nelson

Sam is a Political Science major and a Creative Technology and Design minor. He plans to go to law school after he graduates to study environmental litigation.

Abstract: Change cannot occur overnight. As polarizing and divisive as the field of politics can be, it can take months, years, even decades for social attitudes to be ingrained in policy. To accelerate this process in the American political system, individuals called lobbyists take charge, constantly reminding their policymakers of their needs and demands. One particular issue frequented by lobbyists is the environment and its protections. Issues like climate change and environmental injustice can be a source of great concern and can be detrimental to the well-being and livelihood of those affected. As such, lobbying for the environment at the local, state, and federal levels of government is a common weapon for passionate lobbyists worried for their future. The following paper will examine litigation’s role in lobbying for the environment. I analyze the literature and general discourse that has developed over time regarding general interest group lobbying, including identifying and examining the typical methods of lobbying outside of litigation. I then lay out the methods used to assess the use of litigation as a strategy. Following this, I present findings about trends in the last 50 years in the 27 environmental cases that principally involve environmental groups that have made it to the Supreme Court. Next I provide case studies of two environmental cases to evaluate the political implications of using litigation. Finally, I analyze the findings and evaluate if the findings match the original predictions, as well as provide speculations as to why certain trends exist and give insights into future research possibilities. I conclude the paper with a discussion of environmental litigation and lobbying, connecting observations and findings to current political circumstances.

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Poornima Radha Kumar

Poornima is a Political Science and International Affairs major with a minor in Spanish. After graduation, she plans to attend Brown University's Master of Public Affairs program.

Abstract: As the Latino population grows within the United States, the community has begun to play a pivotal role in elections. In response, political candidates looked to specifically target the community as part of their overall campaign strategies. This study focused on federal House candidates who utilized Spanish-language television advertisements to appeal to this demographic. The thesis investigated the conditions under which federal House candidates were more likely to employ Spanish-language advertisements and evaluated whether the utilization of this strategy led to improved electoral performance. Linear regression analysis, drawing from 2016, 2018, and 2020 election data, identified variables that contributed to a candidate’s decision to use Spanish-language ads. This methodology was also used to examine the relationship between Spanish-language ad use and overall candidate performance to determine the impact this strategy had on electoral success. Ultimately, the study found that candidates were more likely to use Spanish-language ads if they identified as Latino, were running in a Latino-majority district, or if their opponent was using the strategy as well. Contrary to existing literature, the study found a negative relationship between Spanish-language ad usage and candidate performance, suggesting the strategy may have hindered rather than helped electoral success. This finding contributes to the larger discourse surrounding campaign strategy and efforts to reach marginalized communities.

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Nicholas Shires

Nicholas is a Political Science and Economics major. Post-graduation, he has lined up a job working as a Paralegal in 911±¬ÁÏÍø for a startup company. He is planning to go to law school after having some real-world experience with this job.

Abstract: Members of the United States Congress are elected to serve the public good, yet many simultaneously maintain substantial portfolios of individual stocks. While legislative transparency laws such as the STOCK Act are designed to discourage insider trading and bolster public trust, questions remain about the extent to which members personally benefit from privileged information or exploit weak enforcement. In this research, I draw on data from Quiver Quantitative and the Center for Effective Lawmaking to empirically examine what types of members are more likely to actively trade stocks and what types are more likely to earn returns that beat market averages. My findings show that net worth and electoral vulnerability play significant roles in predicting members’ trade volume, but not trade performance. The ten wealthiest members by net worth trade significantly more than their congressional peers, and those in tighter races are associated with greater returns in excess market averages. These findings raise new concerns about how personal financial incentives may shape legislative behavior and challenge the ideal of selfless public service. By combining congressional trading data with institutional, ideological, and electoral characteristics, this research offers a new type of analysis of congressional stock trading activity.

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Edyn Webber

Edyn is graduating with a degree in International Affairs and a minor in Philosophy. After graduation, she will be joining Teach for America, where she will teach social studies at the secondary level. This opportunity aligns with Edyn's passion for educational equity and civic engagement. Following this time in the classroom, Edyn plans to attend law school to advocate for policy reform and social justice at a systemic level.

Abstract: This thesis explores the ethical, legal, and strategic dimensions of the principle of proportionality in warfare, tracing its evolution to its codification in international humanitarian law. By examining the proportionality framework established in the Geneva Conventions and its Additional Protocols, the study assesses how historical and contemporary have adhered to—or violated—this principle. Through case studies, including the firebombings of Japan and Dresden, the use of Agent Orange in Vietnam, and NATO’s interventions in Libya and Kosovo, the research reveals how disproportionate military strategies have led to widespread civilian harm and long-term humanitarian consequences. ÌýThe thesis also investigates modern challenges to proportionality posed by evolving technologies and asymmetric warfare, including urban combat scenarios. Utilizing a multidisciplinary methodology—incorporating legal analysis, ethical frameworks, and historical documentation—this study argues that closer adherence to proportionality upholds international law and fosters more ethical and practical military outcomes. Ultimately, this work proposes a framework for evaluating proportionality in 21st-century conflicts, offering insights for policymakers, military leaders, and international institutions, thus calling for a commitment to reducing civilian harm and preserving humanitarian values in armed conflict.