RE: Reflections and Explorationsessays on Politics

RE: Reflections and Explorations

Essays on Politics, Public Policy, and Governance

Edited by Max Stephenson Jr. and Lyusyena Kirakosyan

Book cover art by Jacquelyn Harder.

Publisher's Cataloging-In-Publication Data (Prepared by The Donohue Group, Inc.)

Re: Reflections and explorations : Essays on politics, public policy, and governance. [1] / edited by Max Stephenson Jr. and Lyusyena Kirakosyan.

1 electronic resource : illustrations (some color)

Series enumeration supplied by publisher. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN: 978-0-9963838-1-3 (PDF) ISBN: 978-0-9963838-0-6 (ePub)

1. Political science. 2. Public policy (Law) 3. Public administration. 4. Education, Higher. 5. Community development. 6. Leadership. 7. Democracy. 8. Essays. 9. Electronic books. I. Stephenson, Max O. II. Kirakosyan, Lyusyena. III. Title: Reflections and explorations. [1] IV. Title: Essays on politics, public policy, and governance

JA66 .R4 2015eb 320

Every effort has been made to contact and acknowledge copyright owners, but the editors would be pleased to have any errors or omissions brought to their attention, so that corrections may be published in further editions. For Jessica -MOS Jr.

For Mauricio -L.K. A note from the cover artist

I was delighted when this volume’s editors approached me and asked me to create art for this book’s cover. After thinking about my own contributions to the collection, reading many of the other chapters in the text, and reflecting on the mission of the Virginia Tech Institute for Policy and Governance, the theme that most struck me, and that I therefore chose to highlight in the painting I produced, was social, cultural and political resilience. To portray this, I chose a desert oasis, which to me symbolizes resilience in an environment of otherwise dry, crumbling earth where it is challenging for life to thrive and human progress to occur. This small oasis symbolizes hope, rest, fertility, and a place for reflection. The subject, or the reader, collaborator, or anyone who opens this book, may see their reflection in the small oasis pond. But that portrait appears as a desert sunflower with human characteristics. Sunflowers track the sun, following its position as it moves through the sky. Similarly, I believe that the articles collected here represent an attempt by these contributors to move toward the light, to follow and find truth, and to remain loyal to it. That is, I sought to suggest that knowledge constitutes a light in our world that may be used to illuminate and overcome darkness. As with all of my work, these observations represent only one possible reflection and exploration of its meaning. I encourage you to explore and consider the implications of this art for yourself, in light of the volume’s essays. As an artist, I am ever hopeful that the reflection and perceptions evoked by my efforts will continue to change and evolve, becoming deeper and richer with time.

Jacquelyn Harder Blacksburg, VA July 27, 2015

vi Acknowledgements

No book comes to fruition without the support and encouragement of many. We are indebted first to each other. Max Stephenson is grateful for Lyusyena Kirakosyan’s ever thoughtful and disciplined attention to all aspects of this volume. She has kept this project on course from its start. In her turn, Lyusyena Kirakosyan is grateful to Max Stephenson for sharing this opportunity to learn and grow and for his guidance and support during the months that the project evolved. We both wish to thank the many students who have given generously of their time and talents to contribute to this series. All of those represented in this collection volunteered to write for RE: Reflections and Explorations and it exists only as a consequence of their ongoing involvement. Very importantly, we were