Tag: Matthias Vogel

The 2008 Economic Crash and the Breakdown in Venezuelan Democracy

Presenter(s): Garret Simmer—Political Science

Co-Presenter(s): Jon Laus

Faculty Mentor(s): Matthias Vogel

Session 5: It’s a Small World After All

This project highlights the economic policies adopted by the Venezuelan government during and after the 2008 financial crisis and its impacts on the stability of democracy in Venezuela . To gain an understanding of the experience of the populace, we trace news reporting on the crisis in Venezuelan daily publications which we contextualize with reporting from an international perspective and academic publications on economic data and social policy . Our study will illuminate how Venezuelan democracy eroded through the breakdown of institutions following economic collapse . This project’s aims are to identify some of the root causes for the Venezuelan economic crisis and the sustained disparity experienced by the Venezuelan people . We are going to show the connection between economic and political issues and their impact on political efficacy in a democracy . Our results show: as Venezuela’s economy experienced greater economic stress, the government was able to take more drastic action threatening its democracy . Political shifts are often the result of economic fluctuations on the national and international scale . When considering relevant concepts such as globalization, media’s influence, and regional issues, it becomes clear that Venezuela’s backslide into authoritarianism was inextricably linked not only to the national economy but the global economy .

Antihaitianismo in the Dominican Republic

Presenter(s): Catherine Morse—Psychology and Philosophy

Faculty Mentor(s): Matthias Vogel

Session: Prerecorded Poster Presentation

The Caribbean island of Hispaniola, home to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, has long been known for its agriculture and tourism industry . Its beaches and attractions are known around the world but the images of tropical paradise are deceptive . In the Dominican Republic, there is great oppression against Haitians often called “Antihaitionismo .” Starting during the age of colonialism, racism especially against people of darker skin color has been a prominent issue which is continuing to circulate inhumane discrimination today . Currently, almost all Haitians living on the island are facing prosecution, poverty, elements of human insecurity, and racial/sexual violence leading to a narrative of a racist, misogynistic culture . In analyzing recent opinions and events, the central questions I address deal with the effects of dissolved Haitian birthright citizenship and the extent of racial and sexual violence against Haitian women . Combining case study interviews and in-depth research, I will highlight the extent of this oppression and its historical importance . With my research project I hope to provide insight into the workings of racism and unravel “Antihaitianismo” and its continuing influence today .

The Influence of Russia in the Former Soviet Republics and Beyond.

Presenter(s): Maryam Moghaddami—Cinema Studies, Psychology

Faculty Mentor(s): Matthias Vogel

Session: Prerecorded Poster Presentation

Historically an international and regional power, Russia once more dominates the headlines with Russian influence seen from Ukraine to the United Kingdom and even Bolivia . Russia’s rise to prominence and the concurrent conservative wave that has swept many countries in Europe and beyond serves as a chilling echo of the Soviet Union .

In this research project, I will examine the recent history of Russia in relation to its neighbors and the current tactics used to exert political, economic, and cultural influence over the former Republics in order to better understand how Russia’s increasing global authority is a reflection of its dominance within its sphere of influence . Additionally, I will explore the parallels in these recent issues to those of the Soviet Union and consider what may be said about Russia’s future given the USSR’s past . In
my research I investigate and analyze news publications, scholarly journals and magazines, and data published by non-governmental as well as governmental organizations . For many years now Russia has been striving to exert control over the former Soviet Republics that crowd the eastern Russian border . My research demonstrates how Russia also utilizes its significant soft power in Eastern Europe and Central Asia to further Russian influence over the countries in these regions and their peoples .

The Effect of Nonprofit Mission Trips to Latin American countries and the Promotion of the White Savior Complex

Presenter(s): Katie Leonard—Family & Human Services

Co-Presenter(s): Emily Harris

Faculty Mentor(s): Matthias Vogel

Session: Prerecorded Poster Presentation

Many a well-intentioned mission trip to Mexico and Middle or South America can have unintended effects . They can lead to a sort of institutionalized dehumanization and to human rights violations, especially considering many NGOs seem to have ulterior motives when aiding Latin American countries . Our research illuminates the intricate interplay between a genuine desire to help and the self-serving reality of a “White Savior Complex” which mission trips can feed, even if it is often unintentional . We examine the media portrayal of mission trips, the public advertising for mission trips by religious organizations and institutions, and include case studies of actual mission trips to illuminate concepts such Impure Altruism and mission drift particularly as pertaining to nonprofit organizations . There are several ways in which Americans are conditioned to the ways of the white savior complex, which include: volunteering abroad, the ways in which government covers foreign policy, the teaching of world history in classroom settings, and the way in which Hollywood portrays Latin countries . A contested topic resulting in a serious divide between races, some white people claim that those who bring light to the topic of the white savior complex, particularly people of color, are committing reverse racism . Our project aims to contribute to the larger discussion and to bring to light the mechanisms of dehumanization in order to further better empathy and true understanding .

Neoliberalism Was Born and Will Die in Chile

Presenter(s): Derek Evans—Sociology and Psychology

Co-Presenter(s): Soren Scheu Porter Wheeler

Faculty Mentor(s): Matthias Vogel

Session 5: It’s a Small World After All

The research being presented will explore the effects, both adverse and beneficial, of the implementation of neoliberal policy and administration, by referring to and drawing from the progression of neoliberalism paired with the regression of socioeconomic equity in contemporary Chile . By delving into the subjects of sociology, cultural anthropology, and political science, we have developed a collection of information that supports and challenges our argument, that neoliberalism is damaging to the people of Chile . In analyzing the resources drawn from all of the subjects listed above, we will be focusing on the development of neoliberal policy, the sustaining of the neoliberal cycle, and the forms of exploitation paired with their damaging effects within society . Our core research focus, and argument, is that Chile and its people would benefit greatly from abandoning its current political regime and opting for a more socialized form of governance . In summary, neoliberal policy and administration have set Chile’s people behind in the world and is only serving to cement their position in the global south .