The central banking system in West Africa is not designed to stimulate entrepreneurship thus limiting the region’s potential for economic growth. Consequently, entrepreneurs in the “informal market”, accounting for fifty-percent of employment in Senegal’s urban areas, face barriers to access credit and capital. This study will analyze the impacts of microfinance institutions and mobile banking on the rise of entrepreneurship in West Africa. Case studies on microfinance institutions in West Africa will be used to measure their impact on entrepreneurship. Additionally, an empirical study will analyze the correlation between access to credit and capital and the use of mobile banking systems. Based on the research done thus far the major findings should show that: a) The central banking system in Senegal creates a system of dependency by creating barriers for entrepreneurs to access capital and credit . b) The communal structure of microfinance organizations, such as credit revolving groups, are compatible with the social norms present in Senegal. c) Mobile banking institutions are compatible with the infrastructure that is present in Senegal which increases access to capital and credit. These findings are indicative that using economic systems adapted to the social norms and infrastructure provide greater economic growth in West Africa.

Black American partisanship has been predictable in federal, state, and local elections for the past five decades. Previous academics explored the significance of party identification during elections when the candidates are Black and the voters are majority Black, finding that Democratic Party identification outweighed opinions on social issues (Kidd et al. 2007, 175). Studies ask whether Black Americans are loyal to the Democratic Party due to the concept of linked fate, even though the group is socioeconomically diverse (Kidd et al. 2007, 174). However, the treatment of Black Republicans as a strategic tool employed by the Democratic Party to sustain Black voter partisan cohesion is understudied. Relying on the quantitative analysis of approval ratings of prominent Black Republicans and content analysis of pertinent documents, I find there is a relationship between the Democratic Party’s treatment of notable Black Republicans and Black American voter behavior; however, it was not the expected relationship and is gender specific. As there is an increasing redefinition of political parties’ values and ideology, it is imperative to understand how Black Americans have continued to stay committed to the Democratic Party.

Islamophobia in France stems partially from the relationship the country has had with Muslims and Arab-states in the past, including France’s colonial history, shaping current treatment of and sentiment towards Muslims. Helbing and Traunmüller (2016) seek to understand how a nation’s religious identity influences its citizens’ attitudes towards a religious minority, such as the burgeoning Muslim minority in Western Europe. France specifically is understudied. Analyzing the prevalence of anti-Maghrebin and anti-Muslim hate crimes, I find France’s religious identity impacts the acceptance and treatment of a new Muslim community. Specifically, results indicate a slight correlation between immigration inflows and anti-Muslim hate crime, while historical determinants may be more important. Nonetheless, per capita, Muslims who have been impacted by France's colonial past continue to be victimized at a greater rate than other Muslims, highlighting how anti-immigration and anti-Muslim sentiment are linked to colonialism. Understanding the causes behind current Islamophobic sentiment in France, may encourage new solutions to the national and international conflicts these sentiments promote.