Christopher Lynch Archives - Reynolds College Blog

Political Science and Philosophy department’s Conversation Series continues April 9

April 2, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Department of Political Science and Philosophy will once again host its “Conversation Series” April 9 with “Trump’s America: A Nation at a Crossroads?”

The event will begin at 4 p.m. in Glass Hall, Room 101, with refreshments served at 3:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

Civil conversation between a Democrat and a Republican

Two influential authors and educators, a Democrat and a Republican, will discuss Donald Trump’s electoral victory and presidency. What does it mean for, and about, America, and why did he win?

The two speakers will conduct a civil conversation based on their knowledge of, and long experience in, American politics. [Read more…] about Political Science and Philosophy department’s Conversation Series continues April 9

Dr. Yuhua Qiao publishes book on state tax systems

March 24, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Dr. Yuhua Qiao, professor in the Department of Political Science and Philosophy, recently published her second book, “State Tax Systems: Policy Making for Fiscal Stability.”

Qiao has been teaching at Missouri State since 1998. She specializes in state budgetary issues, including taxes, expenditure, intergovernmental fiscal relations and voter impact on state budgeting.

“I am always interested in state finance. States are responsible for so many public services, and their fiscal wellbeing is critical to the welfare of the people,” she explained.

She published her first book, “Interstate Fiscal Disparities in America: A Study of Trends and Causes,” in 1999. The book, based on her dissertation research, examines state expenditures in various service areas and why they differed among states. She has also published numerous journal articles on state finance.

Qiao’s latest book is “highly useful to policymakers,” said Dr. Christopher Lynch, head of the political science and philosophy department.

Examines impact of tax policies after the Great Recession

Although “State Tax Systems” is an extension of Qiao’s long-term research and teaching in public budgeting, the Great Recession of 2007-2009 inspired her to place her research in book form.

“The Great Recession of 2007-2009 was the worst fiscal time for states,” Qiao said. “Nearly all states suffered huge budget deficits, and the cuts on public services were widespread, significant and persistent.”

“The fiscal troubles not only reflected the impact of cyclical economic recession on state finance but also exposed the dire long-term fiscal imbalance between their revenue systems and expenditure policies,” she added.

Qiao said previous scholarship had explored various aspects of state fiscal sustainability, but the Great Recession made it clear that states governments had to act to address fiscal imbalances.

“What happened in the Great Recession and its aftermath provided pressure and political will for state governments to reform their tax policies to improve their fiscal stability,” Qiao explained.

Political Science and Philosophy department’s Conversation Series continues Feb. 22

February 14, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The Department of Political Science and Philosophy will hold its second “Conversation Series” event 4-5:45 p.m. Feb. 22, 2024, in Karls Hall 101.

Photo of Steven Smith of University of San Diego — Professor Steven Smith (Courtesy University of San Diego)

Guest speakers Steven Smith, J.D. and Sanford Levinson, Ph.D., J.D. will lead the audience in exploring the question “Does America Need a New Constitution?”

Smith is the Warren Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of San Diego, where he co-directs both the Institute for Law and Religion and the Institute for Law and Philosophy. He has held named professorships at the law schools at Notre Dame and University of Colorado.

Smith has also published nine books on many aspects of the law, with special emphasis on the Constitution and religious freedom. He earned his law degree from Yale University and his B.A. from Brigham Young University.

Levinson holds the Garwood Centennial Chair in Law at the University of Texas Law School at Austin. He taught politics at Princeton University and in numerous programs abroad, and he has held several visiting professorships.

Photo of Sanford Levinson Of University of Texas - Austin — Professor Sanford Levinson (Courtesy University of Texas – Austin)

Levinson has written seven books and hundreds of articles, reviews and commentaries on many constitutional issues, with a special emphasis on flaws in the U.S. Constitution and the need for a new constitutional convention. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard, his J.D. from Stanford and his B.A. from Duke.

“Smith and Levinson are two of the most renowned experts on the constitution in the country,” said Dr. Christopher Lynch, professor and head of the Department of Political Science and Philosophy. “Both are experts not only on the U.S. Constitution but on constitutions as such.”

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available at 3:30 p.m., and the event will start at 4 p.m.

Public Affairs Essay Contest winners announced

January 18, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Six MSU students were recognized for their outstanding essays at the ninth annual Dr. Michael N. Compton Public Affairs Essay Contest awards ceremony Nov. 16, 2023.

Essays addressed the 2023-24 public affairs theme, “Navigating the Now: Tradition, Innovation and Wisdom in a World of Change.”

Political science major Timothy G. Wellman earned first place for his essay, “When may quitting, pivoting, or falling back be the best steps forward?”

Wellman received a cash prize of $1500, and an additional $500 was donated in his name to Children’s Hope International, his charity of choice.

Second place winners were junior economics major Ashley Foster and junior biology major Alyssa Xiong. Foster and Xiong each received a $300 MSU Bookstore gift card, sponsored by the Department of Political Science and Philosophy.

Senior psychology major Olivia Grandberry, senior political science and biology major Oliver Grace and freshman English education major Jordan Fleske each received a cash prize of $125 for their third place entries.