Evaluating Communication Campaigns

Summarizes presentations from a September 2007 conference on evaluating communication campaigns. Discusses the mechanism of effecting change through communication; the principles of advocacy evaluation; the design, methods, and tools; and lessons learned

Lineage-Specific Responses of Tooth Shape in Murine Rodents (Murinae, Rodentia) to Late Miocene Dietary Change in the Siwaliks of Pakistan

Past ecological responses of mammals to climate change are recognized in the fossil record by adaptive significance of morphological variations. To understand the role of dietary behavior on functional adaptations of dental morphology in rodent evolution, we examine evolutionary change of tooth shape in late Miocene Siwalik murine rodents, which experienced a dietary shift toward C4 diets during late Miocene ecological change indicated by carbon isotopic evidence. Geometric morphometric analysis in the outline of upper first molars captures dichotomous lineages of Siwalik murines, in agreement with phylogenetic hypotheses of previous studies (two distinct clades: the Karnimata and Progonomys clades), and indicates lineage-specific functional responses to mechanical properties of their diets. Tooth shapes of the two clades are similar at their sympatric origin but deviate from each other with decreasing overlap through time. Shape change in the Karnimata clade is associated with greater efficiency of propalinal chewing for tough diets than in the Progonomys clade. Larger body mass in Karnimata may be related to exploitation of lower-quality food items, such as grasses, than in smaller-bodied Progonomys. The functional and ecophysiological aspects of Karnimata exploiting C4 grasses are concordant with their isotopic dietary preference relative to Progonomys. Lineage-specific selection was differentially greater in Karnimata, and a faster rate of shape change toward derived Karnimata facilitated inclusion of C4 grasses in the diet. Sympatric speciation in these clades is most plausibly explained by interspecific competition on resource utilization between the two, based on comparisons of our results with the carbon isotope data. Interspecific competition with Karnimata may have suppressed morphological innovation of the Progonomys clade. Pairwise analyses of morphological and carbon isotope data can uncover ecological causes of sympatric speciation and define functional adaptations of teeth to resources

Policy Trumps Politics in the Choices of Voters in Democratic Primaries and Caucuses

The conventional wisdom is that voters in Democratic primaries and caucuses are preoccupied with defeating President George W. Bush. Who can beat Bush is all Democratic voters care about. A close analysis of exit polls from nine Democratic primaries and the Iowa Caucus reveals that government policy dominated judgments about electability or who could beat Bush. In addition, Democratic voters are not fixated on the War in Iraq, as has been widely assumed. The economy and jobs along with health care and Medicare ranked much higher in the minds of voters than the War in Iraq. John Kerry’s success rests with convincing voters in the Democratic primaries and caucuses – a slice of the electorate that tends to be far more liberal than voters in November – that he shares their policy views and is electable. Although Democratic voters were split on whether they agreed with Kerry’s issue positions overall, they overwhelming agreed that he could beat Bush and tended to support his views on the top issues of health care and Medicare, the Iraq War, and, to a lesser extent, the economy and jobs. These findings emerge from exit polling by the National Election Pool, a consortium of five television networks and the Associated Press.Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, UM

Moral Values Take Back Seat to Partisanship and the Economy In 2004 Presidential Election

The initial conclusion of media commentators that moral values determined the outcome of the 2004 presidential election was off the mark, neglecting the impacts of partisanship and the economy. The Republican Party made important strides in widening its coalition. On the other hand, early conclusions that the Democratic Party’s coalition dooms it to defeat are premature; the Party continues to have solid bases of support that put it in a competitive position. One of the most intriguing questions raised by the 2004 presidential election is whether or not moderates and independents continue to hold the balance of power. Bush has won the last two presidential campaigns without receiving majorities among what were once considered critical swing voters.Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, UM

Optimizing The World’s Leading Corporate Law: A 20-Year Retrospective and Look Ahead

In a 2001 article (Function Over Form: A Reassessment of Standards of Review in Delaware Corporation Law) two of us, with important input from the other, argued that in addressing issues like hostile takeovers, assertive institutional investors, leveraged buyouts, and contested ballot questions, the Delaware courts had done exemplary work but on occasion crafted standards of review that unduly encouraged litigation and did not appropriately credit intra-corporate procedures designed to ensure fairness. Function Over Form suggested ways to make those standards more predictable, encourage procedures that better protected stockholders, and discourage meritless litigation, by restoring business judgment rule protection for transactions approved by independent directors, the disinterested stockholders, or both. This article examines how Delaware law responded to the prior article’s recommendations, concluding that the Delaware judiciary has addressed most of them constructively, thereby creating incentives to use procedures that promote the fair treatment of stockholders and discourage meritless litigation. The continued excellence and diligence of the Delaware judiciary is one of Delaware corporate law’s core strengths. But some recent cases have articulated standards of review that involve greater than optimal litigation intensity and less than ideal respect for decision-making in which independent directors and disinterested stockholders have potent say. Those standards also impair the integrity of Delaware’s approach to demand excusal in derivative cases and the identification of controlling stockholders. We also propose eliminating concepts like substantive coercion that do not provide a legitimate basis for resolving cases. Finally, we urge action to correct new problems such as the unfair targeting of corporate officers for negligence claims in representative actions and the frustrating state of practice under Delaware’s books and records statute

Ex Ante Analysis of Price and Trade Effects for the Rice Sector in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

In 2013, trade negotiations began between the United States and the European Union to create a free trade agreement with the goal of phasing out tariffs for all but the most sensitive products. To aid negotiators in analyzing potential agriculture agreements, the objective of this study is to quantify policy impacts of a potential trade liberalization of rice. This study will also be a useful analysis for various participants in the rice market to make educated business decisions. This study utilizes the spatial partial equilibrium model RICEFLOW to project the differences in market prices, production volumes, trade volumes, and consumption volumes that would result from a 10 year straight line decrease of bilateral import tariffs. The global rice market is disaggregated by rice type and milling level in the model, which helps to generate interesting results that would not be apparent in a model that is more highly aggregated. The results suggest US rice becomes more competitive in the EU market causing an increase in the US rice prices. US production is projected to increase greatly, both in paddy production and the milling sector from the trade policy reform. EU production is projected to decrease. The results suggest that there will be some substitution by type in the EU as a result of the agreement

Public Deliberations, Discursive Participation and Citizen Engagement: A Review of the Empirical Literature

Many theorists have long extolled the virtues of public deliberation as a crucial component of a responsive and responsible democracy. Building on these theories, in recent years practitioners - from government officials to citizen groups, nonprofits, and foundations - have increasingly devoted time and resources to strengthening citizen engagement through deliberative forums. Although empirical research has lagged behind theory and practice, a body of literature has emerged that tests the presumed individual and collective benefits of public discourse on citizen engagement. We begin our review of this research by defining public deliberation ; we place it in the context of other forms of what we call discursive participation while distinguishing it from other ways in which citizens can voice their individual and collective views on public issues.We then discuss the expectations, drawn from deliberative democratic theory, regarding the benefits (and, for some, pitfalls) assumed to derive from public deliberation. The next section reviews empirical research as it relates to these theoretical expectations.We conclude with recommendations on future directions for research in this area

Dayton Jumps to Double-Digit Lead Over Emmer

According the latest Minnesota Public Radio News and Humphrey Institute Poll, the Democratic Party’s gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton has opened an 11 point lead over the Republican Party candidate Tom Emmer, 38% to 27%. This represents a distinct shift from the deadlock that existed at the end of August. The Independence Party candidate is receiving 16% support with 20% remaining undecided.Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, UM