Dania Arayssi

Shame, Pride, and Politics: How Emotions 91��Ѽ Remittances Reshape Political Participation in Lebanon

Latzari Escalante — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:09:13 +0000

Shame, Pride, and Politics: How Emotions 91��Ѽ Remittances Reshape Political Participation in Lebanon Latzari Escalante Mon, 06/22/2026 - 10:09

Shame, Pride, and Politics: How Emotions 91��Ѽ Remittances Reshape Political Participation in Lebanon

By: Dania F. Arayssi

Abstract:

This dissertation examines how income from remittances shape political participation in contexts of economic crisis and state fragility, using evidence from Lebanon. The scholarship on the impact of remittances on political participation differs about whether remittances mobilize or demobilize recipients. Some research argues that income from remittances is associated with an
increase in political participation, while other research argues that income from remittances reduces political engagement. In this dissertation I argue that remittances reshape political participation through emotional mechanisms rather than economic ones. Specifically, shame about dependence suppresses socially visible political activities while economic independence
enables strategic substitution from ineffective electoral participation to direct advocacy and civic engagement, creating selective participants who strategically choose which political activities to pursue based on changing cost-benefit calculations. Drawing on original survey data from 500 Lebanese respondents (300 remittance recipients and 200 non-recipients) and focus group discussions conducted in Lebanon, I examine how remittances affect various forms of political participation, including voting, civic organization membership, political discussion, protest, and contacting officials. The analysis reveals three key findings. First, I find that remittances are associated with selective participation rather than uniform mobilization or demobilization. Data indicated that recipients of remittances are significantly more likely to join civil society organizations and engage in political discussions, but less likely to vote in elections. Second, I demonstrate that these effects operate consistently across different economic groups. These results signal that psychological mechanisms can explain the selective participation pattern rather than the economic need. Third, I identify how emotional responses to receiving remittances drive these selective participation patterns. Recipients experiencing shame withdraw from socially visible political activities, while pride shows
minimal or asymmetrical effects, suggesting that negative emotions constrain participation more powerfully than positive emotions mobilize it. These findings contribute to the scholarship on how external income reshape the relationship between the individual and political institutions. When individuals become economically independent through remittances, they are less likely to vote but do not simply withdraw from politics; rather, they redirect their participation toward other forms of political engagement, including civil society. Given the increase in countries where remittances represent a large share
of GDP and where state institutions struggle to provide basic services, this conclusion has important implications for understanding political behavior

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SSRN Research Paper: The American Foreign Policy in the Middle East: A Geopolitical Transformative Change

Avery Lord — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:33:22 +0000

SSRN Research Paper: The American Foreign Policy in the Middle East: A Geopolitical Transformative Change Avery Lord Wed, 06/17/2026 - 13:33

SSRN Research Paper: The American Foreign Policy in the Middle East: A Geopolitical Transformative Change

By: Dania Arayssi

Abstract:

The paper is examining the U.S Foreign policy toward the Middle East, in particular toward Iran and Saudi Arabia, in the light of the Iranian attack on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in September 2019. The paper is providing a historical evaluation for the bilateral relationship between the United States and Iran and between the United States and Saudi. Then, the paper is analyzing the tremendous shift in U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle East and U.S. allies, explaining the possible reasons behind the alteration. Besides, the paper analyzes from the political theory standpoint the different approaches used by U.S. administrations to contain Iran nuclear program. The paper used the comparative-analysis methodology to build a conclusion on the transformation in the foreign policy of 91��Ѽ, D.C, toward the Middle East, mainly toward Saudi Arabia.

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Scenario Surveillance Analysis: USAID/UKRAINE Monitoring and Learning Support Contract

Avery Lord — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:31:58 +0000

Scenario Surveillance Analysis: USAID/UKRAINE Monitoring and Learning Support Contract Avery Lord Wed, 06/17/2026 - 13:31

Scenario Surveillance Analysis: USAID/UKRAINE Monitoring and Learning Support Contract

By: Collin J Meisel, David Bohl, Jonathan D Moyer, Dania Arayssi

Abstract:

Ukraine is a land of bright possibilities and bitter realities. Its recent past has been marked by an array of contrary events and trends, such as civil re-awakening and persistent corruption, democratic reform and constitutional crises, societal reconciliation and violent conflict. In light of these counter-balancing phenomena, it can be difficult to assess whether optimism, pessimism, or some degree of a middling realism is warranted when one is attempting to determine where Ukraine is plausibly headed next. Whither Ukraine?

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The Socio-Economic Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Gender Inequality Index and Policy Recommendation

Avery Lord — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:28:31 +0000

The Socio-Economic Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Gender Inequality Index and Policy Recommendation Avery Lord Wed, 06/17/2026 - 13:28

The socio-economic development of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia: gender inequality index and policy recommendation

By: Dania Arayssi

Abstract:

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is experiencing a dilemma since 2005. The dilemma is between the modernization of its social system underscoring the importance of gender equity in the community, particularly for women and girls, while facing the traditional, conservative norms and values that undermine the women's capacity to engage in society with men. Since 2005, Saudi Arabia has embarked on the modernization routes for its rules and policies to create more economic, social, and civil opportunities for women to be actively engaged in the community. In the paper, we will explore the relationship between the legal reforms that occurred in Saudi Arabia regarding women's rights and their impact on Saudi Arabia's Gender Inequality Index (GII). Understanding the relationship will build a comprehensive understanding of Saudi Arabia's capacity to achieve comprehensive sustainability for the society known by Saudi Arabia Vision 2030. The project relies on quantitative and qualitative meta-analyze research methods to assess data and build conclusions.

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The Developing Countries: Challenges in the Global Economy

Avery Lord — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:26:17 +0000

The Developing Countries: Challenges in the Global Economy Avery Lord Wed, 06/17/2026 - 13:26

The developing countries: Challenges in the global economy

By: Dania Arayssi

Abstract:

The growth of the global economy and the increasing complexity in the international trade raised questions about the competitiveness capacity of the developing countries and the ability to integrate efficiently into the global economy, given the challenges and the difficulties experienced.

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Figueroa Family Fellowship Winner!

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 22:51:16 +0000

Figueroa Family Fellowship Winner! Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 01/25/2022 - 15:51

Congratulations are due to Dania Arayssi, for her receipt of the Figueroa Family Fellowship. This fellowship is awarded to Dania in recognition of her commitment to the achievement of a diverse student body and her work in improving the state of our world and its people. In offering this award, the Graduate School expresses their admiration for the impact she has made and will continue to make in the community – both at CU and beyond.

Dania will use these fellowship funds to support the Gleam of Hope organization in Lebanon, particularly their skills-building program for women and girls from disadvantaged communities and those impacted by the current humanitarian and economic crisis in Lebanon. She is committed to advancing women’s rights, human rights, inclusivity, and diversity to overcome discrimination and injustice and reduce tension in our communities through her research, teaching, and civic engagement activities.

For more information on the Gleam of Hope organization in Lebanon, please see: https://www.facebook.com/Thegleamofhopelebanon

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Dania Arayssi

Shame, Pride, and Politics: How Emotions 91���Ѽ Remittances Reshape Political Participation in Lebanon

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SSRN Research Paper: The American Foreign Policy in the Middle East: A Geopolitical Transformative Change

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Scenario Surveillance Analysis: USAID/UKRAINE Monitoring and Learning Support Contract

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The Socio-Economic Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Gender Inequality Index and Policy Recommendation

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The Developing Countries: Challenges in the Global Economy

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Figueroa Family Fellowship Winner!

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Shame, Pride, and Politics: How Emotions 91��Ѽ Remittances Reshape Political Participation in Lebanon