CPSR

Welcome to CPSR

Welcome to the 2024 re-launch of the Colorado Political Science Review听(CPSR)! CPSR is a student-written and student-edited journal bringing political science perspectives to important issues of the day. The opinions and perspectives in the CPSR are those of the individual authors. We seek to generate thoughtful discussion and analysis rooted in social science theory and supported by research and data. The CPSR is housed in the Political Science Department at the University of Colorado Boulder and is supported by the American Politics Research Lab and the LeRoy Keller Center for the Study of the First Amendment.

Political Science Research

What is the Status of Colorado鈥檚 Political Opinions? A Brief Analysis of the Colorado Political Climate Survey

March 28, 2024

On the national, state, and even local levels, Colorado has been home to several highly contested elections that have had a ripple effect throughout the nation's political climate. The 2022 Midterm Election, for example, saw an intense battle between Republican incumbent Lauren Boebert and Democratic challenger Adam Frisch for representation...

Opinion and Analysis

The Demise of Democracy in El Salvador

March 28, 2024

With a murder rate of around 52 per 100,000 residents, El Salvador has long been recognized as one of the most dangerous countries in the world (Statista 2023). However, in 2019, a new administration took office intending to rid the country of this notorious reputation. Nayibe Bukele was elected president...

A Social Constructivist Analysis of the Afghanistan War

March 28, 2024

The War on Terror has pervaded socio-political rhetoric in the United States for over two decades, intermingling itself over time with the Western democratic ideal, permeating domestic policy and foreign relations. Simply put by Muhammad Ishaque Khan, a scholar of Peace & Counterterrorism Studies, 鈥淎fghanistan is an enigma, and no...

Civic and Political Engagement

Political Science Department Hosts First Annual Civic Engagement Fair

March 28, 2024

The Civic Engagement Fair was held at the UMC at the University of Colorado, Boulder. At this event, there were two keynote speakers and multiple booths about ways to get involved in the community. Civic engagement is important because it can change the outcome of elections and inform citizens about...

Keller Corner and Supreme Court

An Introduction to the Supreme Court

March 28, 2024

The U.S Supreme Court The U.S. Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the country, holds nine elected justices appointed by the sitting president that are then approved by the senate. Yet many cases are not covered unless thought to be a historical moment for the country. However, there...

Foreign Policy and International Affairs

The Exclusion of Wealth Within Developing Countries

March 28, 2024

Out of approximately 195 countries, there are 152 developing countries in the world. An estimated 6.74 billion people in total live in these developing countries; an outstanding number when comparing the global population of a little over 8 billion people. Why do the vast majority of countries hold so little...

Ad Astra Per Legatio: NASA as an Effective Diplomatic Power

March 28, 2024

鈥淎d astra per aspera鈥�; to the stars through difficulty. As a society, we鈥檝e faced a multitude of difficulties in trying to reach the stars. From failed launches to limited technology, we鈥檝e faced it all. Our biggest challenge, however, is not the lengthy travel time required to go anywhere in space...