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The ‘-Pacific’ part of ‘Asia-Pacific’: Oceanic diplomacy in the 2017 treaty for the prohibition of nuclear weapons
No full textThe 2017 Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) was negotiated at the UN over the objections of nuclear-armed and -allied states and established a global categorical ban on nuclear weapons framed in terms of humanitarianism, human rights and environmentalism. The TPNW also placed ‘positive obligations’ on states to assist victims of nuclear weapons use and testing and remediate contaminated environments. States and NGOs from the Pacific region advocated for a strong treaty text, particularly its positive obligations. They were influenced by the region’s history as a site of nuclear weapons testing in Marshall Islands, Kiribati and French Polynesia/Te Ao Maohi; the 1985 South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone’s precedent; and earlier diplomatic efforts and activism linking denuclearization with decolonization. In doing so, Pacific and other formerly colonized states flipped the ‘standard of civilization’ script embedded in humanitarian disarmament law and applied it to their former colonizers. The paper demonstrates the agency of small states—the ‘-Pacific’ part of ‘Asia-Pacific’—in multilateral policymaking on peace and security, often overlooked in international relations scholarship. It draws on my participant observation in the Nobel Peace Prize-winning advocacy of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) during the TPNW negotiations
Exploring Identities in Online Music Fandoms: How identities Formed in Online Fan Communities Affect Real Life Identities
Get PDFThis thesis set out to explore the identities formed by members of online fandom communities, and to determine the ways in which those identities affect their real life, offline identities. This qualitative study encountered elements related to stereo types of young women who are fans of mainstream pop music, and provided insight on their experiences through interviews with five long time boy band online fandom members. This study asked if fans prefer to keep their fandom identities internal or let them reflect outward, how one\u27s online identity affects or translates to their real life identity, and what experiences in the online fandom were the most impactful to the individual\u27s real life identity or led to new knowledge. It was revealed that online community platform is the place where fans gather to enjoy a similar passion, but it is the relationships and discussions held on the site between fans that truly affect an individual and their identity, rather than the more superficial elements of being in a fandom. Through fandom discourse, members found social support and solidarity with one another
United States Withdrawal from NAFTA: Potential Effects on the Domestic Agriculture Sector and In-Market Consumers
Get PDFA United States withdrawal from the North American Free Trade Agreement – a tenant of Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign – could significantly reduce job creation and consumer spending in a number of sectors within the U.S. economy. While it remains to be seen whether this proposed exit will occur, economists predict the main industries that will be affected are the automotive, farming, and petrochemical industries. The United States’ current political climate could potentially, negatively impact the farming industry – thus causing the unemployment rate to possibly skyrocket as well as adversely affecting consumer spending. This paper examines the potential adverse effects of a U.S. exit from NAFTA. Specifically, it examines the impact such an exit may have on farmers, and consumer spending within the sector. More precisely, I will be discussing cases in which countries have exited trade agreements and the consequences of the exit, such as Brexit. Drawing on a systematic literature review, this study collects and interprets research focusing on trade agreement withdrawal. This data is supplemented by financial reports provided by major agricultural corporations, and consumer spending statistics (e.g., avocado and cereal purchases). This study finds the significant correlation between consumer spending and the potential U.S. withdrawal from NAFTA, which may affect consumer spending. Also, major companies such as Kellogg’s may be forced to now pay a tariff on wheat, which will lower their revenue stream and in turn cause a mass number of layoffs. This study concludes with the recommendations for economists, who may wish to take greater care in evaluating the potentially adverse effects of this withdrawal on corporate production and consumer behavior
Made Up: A Devised Short Film
Get PDFI\u27ve explored and studied the use of devising in theatre, and decided to bring that process to the making of a short film. Devising is the process of an ensemble creating a piece together in a collaborative and creative environment. These devised works start without a final script and are formed through discussion, improvisation. and ensemble exercises. Film is a new medium for devising and allows for unlimited creative opportunity and exploration. My devised short film utilizes dramatic makeup as an artistic device to assist in the storytelling. The narrative focuses on the idea of how we present ourselves publicly versus how we are feeling internally
Text or Call?: How Mode of Communication Impacts Desire for Subsequent Conversation
Get PDFPrevious research has found that there is variability in the effectiveness of different types of digitally facilitated communication, but no research has been conducted on whether the mode of communication being used impacts the desire to engage in subsequent conversations with a particular individual. This study examined whether the mode of initial communication would have an impact upon the desire to engage in subsequent conversations. In a sample of 33 participants ages 18-22, I sought to examine how phone conversations and texting differ as methods of initial communication in regard to their impact on participants’ expressed desire for continued communication. In order to examine this relationship, I conducted an experiment in which I randomly assigned subjects to either call or text a confederate. After the experiment, participants completed a survey in order to measure their desire to engage in further communication with the confederate. An independent samples t-test was conducted to compare participants’ desire for subsequent communication in phone calling and texting conditions. Our hypothesis was that there would be a significant difference in the desire to engage in further communication as a direct result of the mode of communication being used. There was no significant difference found between the calling and texting groups, suggesting that in regard to fostering a rapport after an initial meeting, there is no difference between calling and texting
Environmental Injustice/Racism in Flint, Michigan: An Analysis of the Bodily Integrity Claim in Mays v. Snyder as Compared to Other Environmental Justice Cases
Get PDFThis Note examines the merits of the “bodily integrity” claim that the Flint residents have alleged in Mays (but does not discuss any claims asserted in Earley, the case Mays was consolidated with on appeal), and asserts that they should be successful on this claim on remand, assuming that the facts alleged in the Flint residents’ complaint are true. This Note outlines the alleged facts and then discusses the existing case law on bodily integrity claims generally, both in the non-environmental justice and environmental justice fields. Following is an explanation of the specific bodily integrity claim the Flint residents have made and an application of the existing case law (from both the non-environmental justice and environmental justice fields) to the alleged facts. Lastly, this Note compares this federal Flint case to the parallel Flint-related state class action suit filed with the Michigan Court of Claims. Although there might be some legal hurdles that the Flint residents will have to overcome, their bodily integrity claim can be successful on remand and will likely not be precluded by federal statute if appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. As a result, similar bodily integrity claims should be used as a remedy for contamination of other public drinking water sources across the country. The Flint residents should be able to establish that: (1) defendants’ actions occurred “under color of state law,” and (2) a constitutional right exists and was deprived. The Flint residents can best establish this by showing that defendants’ conduct was “outrageous and shocking” to the point where it “shocks the conscience” of the judiciary, as the defendants’ actions exhibited “deliberate indifference” to plaintiffs’ rights to clean water. On remand, no deference should be given to the district judge’s initial dismissal of the case because the district court made virtually no findings of fact and did not consider the merits of whether defendants actually violated the Flint residents’ established constitutional right to bodily integrity. Within the environmental justice context specifically, the magnitude of defendants’ intrusion on plaintiffs’ bodily integrity rights far outweighs the public health benefit (if there is any in this case) and its innocuous effect on the Flint residents resulting from defendants’ actions
Fourth & Inches: Marking the Line of Athletes’ Free Speech (A Colin Kaepernick Inspired Discussion)
Get PDFThis note addresses the ongoing controversial stance that was ignited when Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the playing of the national anthem in protest of what he deems are wrongdoings against African Americans and minorities in the United States. The scope of this note does not surround Kaepernick himself, but rather the professional NFL football player in general. Specifically, players are entitled to the full rights of free expression and free speech as human beings and public figures, up and until the line where that right is abused on the field or “on the job,” thereby threatening an increase of injury to the NFL, team owners, and the public interest. With anti-American sentiment growing and only 52% of Americans that are “extremely proud” of their country, it is time to start coming together and it is time to appropriately mark that line aforementioned. Professional football players should have a heightened threshold of professional responsibilities that coincide with their elevated status on the field when performing in uniform, and in their professional setting. Through exploring an athlete’s freedoms of speech and expression under the Constitution and the National Labor Relations Act while simultaneously navigating through the world of player contracts and working conditions under the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, this note will portray a potential solution to the growing issue at hand that when multiplied can devastate the mission of the NFL, and effectually change how our nation’s youth perceive this great country.
Part II will lay the foundation of this analysis; by first giving the reader an inside look into the NFL’s corporate structure and the interrelations between the NFL League Office, NFL Executive Committee, and team owners. Then I will discuss the NFLPA, the power of unions, and the role of the NFLPA in collective bargaining for the interests of the NFL players. This section will also note the relevant sections of the current 2011 NFL CBA which governs the league. Part III will illustrate a successfully executed demonstration of free speech on the professional sports stage and then introduce the reader to the Kaepernick Stance and its continued effect on our society and popular culture during a major transition of government policy. Here, the facts surrounding the issue will be put on display in a time-line fashion along with notable reactions allowing for the reader to make an independent judgment call for or against the stance and manner at which it has been presented. Furthermore, insight into the impact of social media on political protesting will reveal why the Kaepernick Stance has grown so fast, so quick. Part IV will take the reader back in time and discuss the origins of the National Anthem as well as the right of free expression under the First and Fourteenth Amendment and its continued evolution in terms of its interpretation. Finally Part V will conclude this note with an argument and a proposed solution
Thoughts on the U.N. 2017 Population Prospects: Procreation-Related Internationally Wrongful Acts, and Overpopulation as Global Risk
Get PDFTwo relatively recent factual elements are the basis of this Article: the 2017 revision of the United Nations’ Population Prospects, showing a world population increase of around 50% by 2100, and Turkey’s President Erdogan’s call for the Turks living in Western Europe to “have five children” in order to become the future of the continent. The statement substantiates one of the negative impacts of overpopulation—that on international relations and regional balances of power. This Article argues that (1) Erdogan’s incitement to increased procreation abroad qualifies as an internationally wrongful act of Turkey; (2) excessive procreation within national boundaries could qualify as an internationally wrongful act; and (3) although without legal consequences on the perpetrating countries, such a qualification has at least the potential of igniting a renewed debate on the issue of overpopulation. In this context, one way forward as a matter of global policy on the now stalled debate on population is suggested
Penalty Clauses – What Has Changed?
Get PDFBuilding on two seminal cases that consider the character of penalty clauses, Paciocco v Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd from Australia and Cavendish Square Holding BV v. Talal El Makdessi from England, this Article sheds a new light on the treatment of fixed sums and argues that the view on whether penalty clauses are governed by the CISG requires new considerations. Importantly, this Article demonstrates a two-step approach to the analysis of penalty clauses: 1) whether the sum in question is penal in nature, and 2) if so, whether the CISG determines the fate of the penalty clause by reference to its general principles. Considering new international developments, this Article argues that such clauses should generally be enforced
From Little Acorns
Get PDFInaugurating Writing Nature: A Seasonal Program of Readings of Nature Writings, under the shared auspices of the Teatown Lake Reservation and the Hudson Valley Writers Center. Presented at the Hudson Valley Writers Center, Sleepy Hollow, New York