Volume 2 (2007)
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Item Stop Loss and the Future of America's All-Volunteer, All-Recruited Military(2007-10) Green, Matt; Murray, Kenneshia; Catilozi, Seth; Melakou, Lia; Boyer, BrookeThere are specific challenges to maintaining an all-recruited, all-volunteer military. This analysis addresses several policies, previous and current, used to raise and maintain our armed forces, including an examination of other countries. Our focus is more on the retention side of the military personnel equation; however all of the alternative courses of action discussed ultimately have an impact on recruiting. After a critical review of the most viable options available, using five key evaluative criteria, it was determined that the most effective approach to meeting force levels was to pursue a combined strategy of three major initiatives. They are: 1) cash incentives, 2) military to civilian conversions, and 3) greater use of the Guard and Reserve.Item Evaluating the Impact of Federal Abstinence-Only Education: A Research Synthesis(2007-10) Warden, Rebeccafrom the introduction by Professor David Armor: Rebecca Warden wrote this as a term paper in PUPB 713 (Policy and Program Evaluation). This is an excellent example of a research synthesis on a major federal policy initiative. Warden did a thorough search to find the best evaluations of sexual abstinence programs, and she gave special attention to the methodological quality of each study-- which she takes into account in weighing the findings and arriving at her policy conclusions. Her novel use of Exhibits is very helpful for giving the reader a brief summary of the major points and findings of her analysis.Item Investment In Russia: Three Rules of the Game(2007-10) Fengler, Paulfrom introduction by Professor John Petersen: This paper was submitted for my ITRN 602 Class (Globalization and Financial Markets and Institutions). The assignment was for a brief paper (not to exceed 10 pages) dealing with developments in international finance that addresses a problem and discusses solutions. Fengler's paper neatly analyzes the issue of foreign investment in Russia, presenting three rules for such investors to follow if they want to avoid trouble. Each point is well documented and concise. Overall, the paper combines both good research and a lively presentation of useful information in a compact, disciplined space.Item Minnesota's Next Generation Energy Initiative(2007-10) Dodge, Cami; Zulkosky, Eric; Roach, Caroline; Mulholland, Kerry; Sprenger, DavidIn this report, Clean Consulting examines and evaluates the most suitable options and strategies for helping Minnesota to meet its growing demand for ethanol and solve other environmental issues as the state adjusts to the recently-enacted Next Generation Energy Initiative (“Initiative”).Item The Project on National Security Reform: Overview and Relevance to Current Public Policy Issues and Trends(Graduate School of Public Policy, 2007-10) Jonas, ChrisGlobalization and threats posed by weak, failing, and failed states have propelled the United States into a new age of national security. Chris Jonas details a Washington, DC-based initiative, The Project on National Security Reform (PNSR), and its efforts to identify the implications posed by our current national security system's inability to act cohesively across departments and agencies and how this might be corrected.Item Impact of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy(2007-10) Hentges, Justin DThis paper is a synthesis of six studies on the impact of the DADT policy, beginning with a brief history of the program and then reviewing various evaluations that have been done on the program. Finally, it discusses some policy questions regarding DADT that are not specifically addressed in the evaluation studies.Item Changing Attitudes towards Minimum Wage Debate: How is the Neoclassical Economic Theory holding in the face of a New Era of Minimum Wage Studies(2007-10) Krasniqi, MikraThis paper compares the traditional neoclassical economic perspective with the recent empirical findings regarding minimum wage effect on employment. The comparison is done by reviewing and analyzing relevant literature and data that have recorded, over time, the changing attitudes toward the issue since the Great Depression era. By taking this approach, the argument is made that in the face of recent scientific findings and empirical research studies, the neoclassical argument that minimum wage laws have a negative effect on employment is gradually losing its appeal among scholars as well as practitioners. As a result, a new public debate is taking place on the issue, which in turn, has begun to have a transformative impact in the policymaking of minimum wage at the state and federal levels.