Summer 2007 Issue Editor's Note

Summer Issue 2007 CoverDear Readers,

It is with the utmost pleasure that I introduce to you GW Discourse: The Political Science Quarterly. This magazine provides students at the George Washington University a venue to publish their unique ideas and interpretations on political science and theory from both the past and present. This publication represents the only entirely Undergraduate run Political Science magazine at the George Washington University, and is written, published, and edited entirely by undergraduate students at GWU. GW Discourse is run by a powerhouse of over 25 extremely talented students from a diverse cross-section of majors and areas of concentration, including International Affairs, Middle East Studies, Latin American Studies, Conflict & Security, Political Science, Journalism, History, Economics, Philosophy, Mass Communications, Chinese Language and Literature, Business, and many others.
Domestic Affairs Examines President Bush's First Term

Staff members are key opinion leaders on campus, holding positions in a number of important organizations including the International Affairs Society, the College Republicans, the College Democrats, GW STAND, The Daily Colonial, The George Washington University Student Association, and Influence PR : GW’s Premier Student Public Relations Group. The perspectives put forth by writers for GW Discourse are a combination of academic scholarship and real-world, political experience. Many have held internship positions with the Department of Defense, the American Enterprise Institute, the United States Secret Service, the Department of State, GW’s National Security Archives, the Peace Corps, Department of Justice, Senator John McCain’s Presidential Campaign, the Department of State, and a number of congressional and senatorial offices. Our staff has varying range of interests, experiences, and backgrounds and GW Discourse hopes to use that diversity to provide the reader with a multitude of perspectives on each of a variety of issues. Our desire is that our content will truly resonate among you, and establish the discourse we set out to create.

Political Theory & Philosophy Looks At the "isms" that Influence Our Culture In this issue our Domestic Affair’s section discusses the legacy of the George W. Bush presidency—from his effects on the Republican party to the power he placed in the hands of future Vice-Presidents— using David Boyajian’s historical overview of the President’s first term as the foreground for further discussion. The Political Theory & Philosophy section shows the true colors of the “discourse” we are looking to create. Beginning with an in-depth investigation by Andrew Scott on the use and misuse of the Libertarian principles. The section then provides the reader with a myriad of other “-isms” and their impact on the political arena. The final section, International Affairs, provides a broad analysis of how the world’s terrorist networks influence the international community. The section is anchored by a gripping article about the rise of Jihadism written by the very talented Tim Edge.

While appeal for GW Discourse is certain to be present among Political Science, International Affairs, History and Philosophy majors, the magazine is tailored in a way that speaks to everyone in the GW community, from the Capitol Hill intern to new students fresh on the political scene.

Although print issues will be exclusively available to members of the University community in Washington, D.C., the magazine’s content is available to all interested readers via our official website at www.gwdiscourse.com. In addition to content from print issues, the website features exclusive articles not found in the magazine, reader discussion boards, and a number of blogs allowing readers to engage in conversation with the writers, editors, and other readers. We thank you for your interest and invite you to enjoy our debut publication!

Sincerely,

Robert Platt, Editor-in-Chief, GW Discourse

Christopher Wimbush, President, GW Discourse