Name: Tem Alabi
Section: Comparative Politics
Professional Email: taalabi@noun.edu.ng
Professional Status: Assistant Professor
Institution: NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, ABUJA
Scheduling Preference: No Preference
Proposal Type: Paper
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Paper Title:  Gender and Politics: The Nigerian Experience
Abstract:
In most political discourse men are regarded as political or intellectual subjects while women continue to be largely marginalized from the political sphere. Nigerian women are still some distance away from gender equity and balancing and this is often as a result of discriminatory laws, practices, attitudes and gender stereotypes, low levels of education, lack of access to health care and the disproportionate effect of poverty on women. This paper examines these obstacles; it explores how women interact with political structures and how they mobilize themselves to impact the state, society, and legal systems as well as regional and international systems. Thus, it studies Nigerian women’s participation in the political arena, their challenges and struggles for their rights and their impact on their countries’ laws and policies drawing example from the American democracy. The paper further emphasises the importance of valuing women in a society that has long devalued their contributions with special reference to the emergence of a black female American president. It concludes that while women have made inroads in many areas, traditionally gendered needs should be recast in order to liberate women and recommends that the playing field needs to be level, opening opportunities for all. KEYWORDS: Culture, Gender, Democracy, Elections.

Name: Mehmet Evrim Altin
Section: Comparative Politics
Professional Email: m.altin@iubh.de
Professional Status: Assistant Professor
Institution: International University of bad honnef
Scheduling Preference: Saturday Morning
Proposal Type: Paper
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Paper Title:  Modern Religion War in Turkey: Erdogan’s National Political Islam against Gülen’s Global Social Islam
Abstract:
Unlike the expectations of the founders of Turkish Republic, religion, specifically Islam, increased its power and influence in Turkish society exponentially especially after the nineteen- fifties. Two channels, such as Erbakan’s political Islamic movement, so-called National View, and Said Nursi’s social Islam movement, so-called Nur Movement, played crucial roles in this increase and despite the pressure of the secular state, they achieved remarkable success in expanding Islamic understanding to the society. Their followers, Erdogan from the political wing and Gülen from the social wing, used their legacies wisely and defeated the secular part of the society in the last two decades. However, unlike founders Erbakan and Said Nursi, Erdogan and Gülen started to fight in the political scene in Turkish society and today these two movements blame each other of being heretical and blasphemy. The purpose of this paper is to examine the main differences in these two movements and why these two movements waged war against each other despite their common religious understanding. A qualitative research design is used to study this issue. Semi-structured expert interviews are conducted with experts of the subject. The results show that because of the ideological differences between political Islam and social Islam approaches, there are remarkable differences between Erdogan and Gülen. Besides, both Erdogan and Gülen, transformed the legacies of Erbakan and Said Nursi from different perspectives. Erdogan mixed Erbakan’s international Islamic understanding with Turkish nationalism and built a national right wing alliance, which is promoting neo-Ottomanism. On the other hand, Gülen transformed Said Nursi’s local social Islamic understanding to an international social network with different type of institutions, such as schools, help organizations and interfaith-dialog institutions. His movement promotes global understanding based on global ethics and trade. Turkey and Turkish society inside and outside of Turkey are the major sources of these movements, which is one of the other reasons behind the fight, especially after the failed coup attempt. Keywords—Gülen Movement, Erdogan Administration, National View Movement, Political Islam, Social Islam, Nationalism.

Name: Ikenna Alumona
Section: Comparative Politics
Professional Email: im.alumona@coou.edu.ng
Professional Status: Associate Professor
Institution: Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State
Scheduling Preference: No Preference
Proposal Type: Paper
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Co-author info: Aniche Ernest Federal University Otuoke, Bayesla State, Nigeria anicheet@fuotuoke.edu.ng
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Paper Title: Responsibility without power: Federalism and the Dilemma of Internal Security Management in Nigeria 
Abstract:
Security has taken the centre stage in political discourse in Nigeria like in most developing countries. Across the different geo political zones in the country, different factors of insecurity have continued to take a heavy toll on lives and properties. Yet, the challenge of maintaining security in the country is compounded by the nature and character of Nigeria’s federal governance structure that vests the sole constitutional responsibility of security maintenance on the federal government leaving the constituent states with no formal control over the security forces. This paper argues that the contradictions of Nigeria’s federal governance is not only undermining the maintenance of security but has compounded the inability of federal government to adequately supervise the pervasive and increasing involvement of vigilante groups, private security companies and ethnic militias in internal security management. Keywords: Security, Federalism, Internal Security Management and Governance.

Name: Meseret /Macy Demissie
Section: International Relations and American Foreign Policy
Professional Email: mdemissi@uottawa.ca
Professional Status: Practitioner
Institution: University of Ottawa
Scheduling Preference: Friday Afternoon
Proposal Type: Paper
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Co-presenter info: Professor Meseret/Macy Demissie, PhD Sorbonne University (Paris-1) The University of Ottawa, School of Political Studies mdemissi@uottawa.ca macydem@yahoo.ca
Paper Title:  Global Governance of the Environment and the Role of International Law in Shaping World Politics: What are the Impacts of International Environmental Law on Nation- States’ Sovereignty over their Natural Resources Management?
Abstract:
This comparative analysis focuses on contemporary geopolitics and international security in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Since the early 1960s, there has been a growing demand for environmental protection around the world. There has been some progress in global environmental governance. But, at the same time, there is growing anxiety on the part of international society, both the State and non-state actors, due to the discrepancy of international norms and institutions governing international rivers and its impact on the economic development of nation-states sharing the same rivers basins. Using the cases study of the Nile River, (involving 11 states in North Africa and the Middle East), the Mekong River, and the Mesopotamian Rivers (the Euphrates and the Tigris), this paper seeks to comparatively examine the impact of international law on nation-States’ rights to economic development and their obligations to do ‘no harm’ to the other States national interests in the process, as well as the progress made in terms of global governance, particularly in the sphere of international water law. What are the Impacts of International environmental law on nation-states’ sovereignty over their natural resources management? In other words, what is the impact of international law on the States’ ability in managing their natural resources? Usually, weaker States rely on international law to defend their rights to economic development while hegemonic States use their military and economic might to impose their views. We postulate that power and influence always play a key role in global environmental governance. International law is shaped by great power politics and the balance of power that determines the outcome. And international water law will continue to reflect the reality of world politics on the ground rather than shaping world environmental politics. We will review research findings on the three case studies that are conducted between 1990 to 2020 so as to verify our hypothesis. The selected periods are of special interest due to the major shift that has occurred in global politics and world order since the 1990s. Keywords: Global governance, International Water Law, Power, Security, the Balance of Power, Natural Resources Management, Mekong River, the Nile, Tigris, and the Euphrates

Name: Amy Freedman
Section: Comparative Politics
Professional Email: afreedman@pace.edu
Professional Status: Full Professor
Institution: Pace University
Scheduling Preference: Saturday Afternoon
Proposal Type: Paper
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Co-author info: Naomi Eyassu, Pace University (Student) nb63300n@pace.edu
Co-presenter info: Naomi Eyassu, Pace University (student) nb63300n@pace.edu
Paper Title:  China’s Belt and Road Initiatives in Malaysia and Ethiopia
Abstract:
China's 'belt and road initiative' has prompted a great deal of concern both because of its significance for the growth and operationalization of Chinese power far from their own borders, and because of concerns about debt-trap diplomacy. What is less examined are the domestic political dynamics that underpin the desire for Chinese investment in participating countries. Both Malaysia and Ethiopia are multi-ethnic, multi-religious countries and these divisions are deeply embedded in political arrangements. Chinese BRI projects in both countries were agreed upon by political elites who believed their friends and allies would benefit from the projects. When new regimes came to power in both countries in 2018 there was considerable pressure to take tougher positions towards China and to renegotiate, or halt all together some of China's plans for the countries. Despite this popular pressure, it wasn't surprising that both leaders, Mahathir in Malaysia and Abiy in Ethiopia, got a few concessions from China and announced continued partnerships re-framed as victories for the new ruling powers. This paper examines how Chinese investment in both countries is deeply intertwined with their ethnic political economies and it examines why even under new political coalitions and new ruling elites, BRI projects continue. Our work looks at who is benefiting from these projects and how are they co-opted by elites for their own purposes.

Name: Changwook Ju
Section: Comparative Politics
Professional Email: changwook.ju@yale.edu
Professional Status: Graduate Student
Institution: Yale University
Scheduling Preference: Saturday Morning
Proposal Type: Paper
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Paper Title: Why Do Military Officers Condone Sexual Violence? Toward a General Theory of Commander Tolerance
Abstract:
Why do commanders tolerate sexual violence by subordinate soldiers? Preoccupied with soldiers’ motives, commander tolerance is mostly taken for granted in existing explanations for military sexual violence (MSV). I argue that, to understand MSV that recurs despite its formal prohibition, scholars must specify conditions under which commanders tolerate it. I build on recent departures from existing principal–agent models of MSV to construct a theoretical framework for commander tolerance and derive its implications for a general theory. Its core theoretical proposal is that commander tolerance hinges on micro-level factors that predispose individual commanders to tolerating MSV, meso-level factors that arise from their interactions with their subordinates, peer commanders, and supervisors, and macro-level factors that surround commanders and create disincentives to effective punishment. In practice, commanders often have ample socio-military incentives to tolerate MSV, while the effects of their successful punishment are unlikely to stand out as an achievement and/or only expose existing command failures. This article—despite its focus on MSV—represents the first systematic cut at a general theory of commander tolerance for a prohibited form of violence.

Name: Iraj Rahimpourasl
Section: Comparative Politics
Professional Email: i.rahimpourasl@stu.yazd.ac.ir
Professional Status: Graduate Student
Institution: Yazd University
Scheduling Preference: No Preference
Proposal Type: Paper
Panel Title:  South Caucasus
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Co-author info: Aseeye Sadat Abdolahzade, Bachelor's of Science student in International Relations, Islamic Azad University, Shahreza Branch
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Paper Title:  South Caucasus: strategic Threats or opportunities facing Iran
Abstract:
The complicated patterns of relations of Trans-regional powers in regional security complex of the South Caucasus, on one hand, and weak state of factors of region geopolitics, on the other hand, leave countries of the region in a state of insecurity, As a result, either behavior of these countries is even more aggressive in the international arena, or they seek an alliance with regional or trans-regional powers, The presence of trans-regional powers is also associated with contradiction and spread of threats, therefore, in case of strike with wonder and failure to act in a timely manner, serious consequences will await the national interests and national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hence, the patterns of relations between the trans-regional powers and the strategic threats or opportunities facing Iran in the South Caucasus have been studied by using Barry Buzan’s Regional Security Complex Theory. Findings of study show that; A), The countries of the South Caucasus seek to establish military alliances with trans-regional powers to strengthen their military power, which conflict inherently with Iran's national security and national interests in the region. C) Turning the nature of opportunities into threats, to prevent the restoration of Iran's regional and international position.

Name: Egbe Tandu
Section: Comparative Politics
Professional Email: egbetandu@gmail.com
Professional Status: Assistant Professor
Institution: College Of Education, Akampka
Scheduling Preference: No Preference
Proposal Type: Paper
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Co-author info: Tandu , Mary Anyie (M.Ed) Department of Social Studies, Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa. Nigeria. Abeki, Sunny Okoro.(Ph.D). Deputy Rector , Institute of Tourism and Hospitality. Yenagoa, Beyelsa State..
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Paper Title:  Underdeveloment And Dependency
Abstract:
Abstract Underdevelopment and dependency are two words that are inter-related, underdevelopment gives rise to dependency. We all know that these concepts are prevalent in Nigeria as a developing country. It is certain that Nigeria is an independent country, but it does not possessed the trappings of an independent country since the super structures that formed the society and state are controlled from outside the shores of Nigeria. Literally, Nigeria is independent, but in practical terms Nigeria is dependent on foreign influences of our colonial masters who tele-guide every thing Nigeria does politically, economically, socially and culturally. Politically, Nigeria adopted British style of governance and currently American style. Economically, Nigeria adopted capitalism which is controlled by foreigners and has contributed in crippling Nigerian economy, socially and culturally, Nigerians copy foreign ways and values and our own ways and values are pushed to the background and suffer inferiority complex to the foreign ways and values. Nigeria falls back to the western Nations for loans and grants which have made us debtor and dependent nation to the west. One can go on and on without end. This paper therefore, attempt to look at the case of Nigeria as it relates to the concepts of underdevelopment and dependency. The paper adopted the Historical/ Descriptive and Prescriptive approaches in the discussion. The layout is as follows: Introduction, Synopses, X-ray the problems thrown up by underdevelopment and dependency in Nigeria and finally, the prognoses. KEY WORDS: Underdevelopment, Dependency, Nation, Synopses,

Name: Alice Timken
Section: Comparative Politics
Professional Email: act490@nyu.edu
Professional Status: Graduate Student
Institution: New York University
Scheduling Preference: No Preference
Proposal Type: Paper
Panel Title:  Comparative Analyses: Nationalism in Effect
Panel Description: This panel looks at civic and ethnic nationalist programs in strategy, means, and outcome ("effect") through comparative analysis, with emphasis on nationalism as a multi-level, rather than rhetorical, phenomenon.
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Co-presenter info: Rahul Thayil; rt2191@nyu.edu (separate paper, on panel)
Paper Title: Networks, Access and Competition: Immigrant Social Capital and Refugee Integration
Abstract:
What factors facilitate successful refugee integration? Might co-nationals, meaning individuals from the same country, support the integration process? It appears refugees are asking the same questions. Almost one fifth of refugees in the US opt for in-country secondary migration, often correlating with two factors: a destination’s relatively low unemployment rate and its existing co-national network. Combined, these pull factors can be understood to indicate sources of social capital to migrating refugees, who seek larger and higher quality co-national networks to provide greater access to resources. While extant quantitative studies hold that co-national social capital has a positive effect on immigrant economic integration, it is less clear how it affects non-economic integration types, which are also crucial to substantive community membership. Conducted within a social capital theory framework, this large-N comparative analysis utilizes a quasi-natural experiment to examine the effect of a state’s share of co-nationals and employment rate on three types of refugee integration: economic, linguistic and navigational. My results suggest that co-national social capital is influential in immigrant integration and that the variables that refugees often prioritize during secondary migration – low unemployment rate and existing co-national network – may effectively encourage multiple types of immigrant integration. This is the first large-N quantitative study to emphasize the relationship between co-national networks and non-economic immigrant integration outcomes. Additionally, it contributes to the literature on immigrant integration by adopting a social capital theory framework and has immediate implications for US refugee policy.

Name: Godwin Unanka
Section: Comparative Politics
Professional Email: gunanka@yahoo.com
Professional Status: Full Professor
Institution: Imo State University, Owerri - Nigeria
Scheduling Preference: Friday Afternoon
Proposal Type: Paper
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Co-author info: Juliet A. Ndoh Dept. of Political Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. Email: anuligr8@gmail.com And Paschal Igboeche-Onyenweigwe, PhD Dept. of Political Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. Email: igboechepascal@gmail.com
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Paper Title:  Bottom-Up Participatory Governance and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Extrapolating the Indissolubility of Village Governments in New York State
Abstract:
ABSTRACT In the midst of claims to democracy and participatory governance in developed and developing countries of the world, this paper examines the link between participatory governance and sustainable development (1) to determine the type of participatory governance preferred and perceived to be the appropriate form of true democracy for achievement of sustainable development in two cross-ethnic states of Imo and Akwa-Ibom, Nigeria, and (2) by extrapolation, to explain the indissolubility of village governments in the state of New York, USA. In pursuit of these objectives, the study assumes that while the people (citizens) yearn for bottom-up (community-grown) participatory governance in developing countries, village-community governments, when established in developing and relatively developed democracies, are indissoluble. Accordingly, if bottom-up (community-based) participatory governance is a preferred true democratic strategy for achievement of sustainable development in a developing state/country, it will explain resistance to the dissolution of village-community government in a developing or developed democracy. Using a descriptive-survey-correlational design and a randomly selected sample of 904 indigenes/residents of two cross-ethnic states of Nigeria, the study found that in Imo and Akwa Ibom States of Nigeria, the people perceive and prefer the Bottom-Up Community-Grown Participatory Governance as a form of True Participatory Democracy at the Local Government Level of governance for the achievement of Sustainable Development. The push for the dissolution and consolidation of village and town governments in New York State makes fiscal sense, but from a noneconomic perspective of community-survival, albeit, perspective of achievement of good governance and participatory true democracy, it becomes even more explainable why the citizens are likely to reject the dissolution of village governments. Accordingly, the paper recommends for Nigeria: (1) That the Bottom-Up Community-Grown Participatory Governance (albeit, village-community form of governments) should be established in states yearning for such, to replace the current dysfunctional local government system and accordingly facilitate the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (2016-2030) in Nigeria, and (2) To sustain grass root participatory democracy in New York State, village governments should be preserved and even where the citizens vote for dissolution for fiscal considerations, the village government could be consolidated in the town government while preserving the village-community identity therein to retain its indissoluble role in bottom-up community-grown participatory governance.