Colorado Political Science Review

Welcome to CPSR

Welcome to the 2024 re-launch of the Colorado Political Science Review (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 �鶹ӰԺ and is supported by the American Politics Research Lab and the LeRoy Keller Center for the Study of the First Amendment.

CPSR Political Science Research

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

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 of Colorado's 3rd Congressional District. Although Boebert retained her status as House Representative, the highly contested election came down to less than 1,000 votes...

CPSR Opinion and Analysis

The Demise of Democracy in El Salvador

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 after running on the campaign promise to reduce the country’s gang activity. Now five years later, President Nayib Bukele’s extensive crackdown on gang membership is attributed to the country’s revival. H...

A Social Constructivist Analysis of the Afghanistan War

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, “Afghanistan is an enigma, and no one has yet reached the key which may resolve it” (Khan 2021).As such, I will not attempt here to offer a decisive analysis of the Afghanistan War, as that would be painfully red...

CPSR Civic and Political Engagement

Political Science Department Hosts First Annual Civic Engagement Fair

The Civic Engagement Fair was held at the UMC at the University of Colorado, �鶹ӰԺ. 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 local issues. Young people should feel more motivated to participate in their community because election decisions will have a large impact on them. The two keynote speakers were Marta Loachamin and Molly Fitzpa...

CPSR Keller Corner and Supreme Court

An Introduction to the Supreme Court

The U.S Supreme CourtThe 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 are many other cases that are important too and may have an impact on our community. That's why the Keller Corner on the Supreme Court was created.Meet The JusticesBelow are the Supreme Court justices that work day in a...

CPSR Foreign Policy and International Affairs

The Exclusion of Wealth Within Developing Countries

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 of the spread of wealth? The journey that a country takes to become a developed country is not smooth sailing, there are many political, economic, and historical factors that impede progress; these fact...

Ad Astra Per Legatio: NASA as an Effective Diplomatic Power

“Ad astra per aspera”; to the stars through difficulty. As a society, we’ve faced a multitude of difficulties in trying to reach the stars. From failed launches to limited technology, we’ve faced it all. Our biggest challenge, however, is not the lengthy travel time required to go anywhere in space nor is it the uninhabitable characteristics of nearby planets; the biggest opponent we face is each other.In 2021, Russia tested an anti-satellite missile that put considerable debris into near-Earth...

Faculty and Staff Advisors

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor coming soon!

How to be involved

Would you like to be a member of CPSR?

Please email to janet.donavan@colorado.edu

Meet CPSR

Associate Editor of Opinion and Analysis

Nikky Garaga

Associate Editor of Political Science Research

Deven Kukreja

Associate Editor of Foreign Policy and International Affairs

Natalie Schwartz

Associate Editor of Civic & Political Engagement

Franny Willardson

Associate Editor of Keller Corner

Coming Soon!

Website Manager

Avery Lord

Events Manager and Staff Writer for Keller Corner on the Supreme Court

Makayla Gardner

Treasurer

Coming Soon!

Senior Writer for Political Science Research

Mohamed Mohamed

Senior Writer for Foreign Policy and Interantional Affairs

Graciela Horstman

Senior Writer of Foreign Policy and International Affairs

Jenny Brown

Senior Writer for Keller Corner on the Supreme Court

Cassidy Jacobs

Senior Writer for Opinion and Analysis

Trevor Mitchell-Lipton

Secretary and Senior Writer for Political Science Research

Edyn Webber

Staff Writer for Foreign Policy and International Affairs

Preston Meyer

�鶹ӰԺ