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Young Scholars

Constitutional Durability: The Constitutions of the Order of Friars Preachers and American Constitutionalism

| November 17, 2018 | Politics, Society, Young Scholars

Constitutional Durability: The Constitutions of the Order of Friars Preachers and American Constitutionalism
In my paper “Constitutional Durability,” I argue that the constitution of the Order of Friars Preachers, a religious order colloquially known as the Dominicans, adds a unique point of view to our political discourse about good governance and durable...
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Anne Rodriguez
Anne Rodriguez was a 2017-2018 Young Scholar for the Initiative on Faith and Public Life and graduated from Providence College where she majored in political science and theology.

Passivity and Revenue: How a Passive Tax System Exacerbates Fiscal Illusion

| November 17, 2018 | Economics, Politics, Young Scholars

Passivity and Revenue: How a Passive Tax System Exacerbates Fiscal Illusion
It is often said that the only certainties in life are death and taxes, but how certain are we about the latter? Because of the interests of different parties involved in the tax system, the inquiry into the details of taxation can often be obscured. However, it is...
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Logan Matthews
Logan Matthews was a Young Scholar for the Initiative on Faith and Public Life and graduated from Belmont University where he majored in economics and politics & public law.

Choosing the Best Tool: Mandates as Corrective Policy Instruments in Agriculture

| November 16, 2018 | Economics, Environment, Young Scholars

Choosing the Best Tool: Mandates as Corrective Policy Instruments in Agriculture
Agricultural production negatively impacts the environment. Nitrate and pesticide runoff contaminate drinking water. Animal waste causes bacterial contamination. Odor from livestock operations affects nearby residential areas. The list goes on. Despite these negative...
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Duncan Voyles
Duncan Voyles was a 2017-2018 Young Scholar for the Initiative on Faith and Public Life and graduated from Hillsdale College where he majored in applied mathematics and economics.

Investing in Service: Professionalization Effects on the Provision of Constituent Service

| November 16, 2018 | Politics, Young Scholars

Investing in Service: Professionalization Effects on the Provision of Constituent Service
Despite the political media’s focus on the various legislative battles taking place in state capitols all across the country, policy and legislative work are only one part of a state legislator’s job description. State legislators are also responsible for helping...
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Thomas Dowling
Thomas Dowling was a 2017-2018 Young Scholar for the Initiative on Faith and Public Life and graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in political science with a concentration in civic leadership and history.

The Benefits Cliff and Labor Supply: Lessons from Behavioral Economics

| November 16, 2018 | Economics, Politics, Society, Young Scholars

The Benefits Cliff and Labor Supply: Lessons from Behavioral Economics
Standard economic theory relies on the assumption that we make choices rationally. Besides the disagreement surrounding the definition of rationality itself, there is growing evidence that suggests our behavior actually is not always rational. While it seems...
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Emma Nyhof
Emma Nyhof was a 2017-2018 Young Scholar for the Initiative on Faith and Public Life and graduated from Hope College where she majored in economics and psychology.