Honors Week: Cadet Explores Democracy in African Monarchies
Jonah Jurack ’25 spent the summer before his 3rd Class year at Virginia Military Institute studying abroad in Morocco. Jurack was drawn to the unique perspective of non-democratic governments, sparking the beginning of what would become his senior thesis.
For Jurack, an international studies major, his first experience outside the United States raised important questions about how U.S. citizens perceive democratization efforts in non-democratic nations.
“It was fascinating to see how the Moroccan people addressed King Mohammed VI,” said Jurack. “He was widely venerated, and it was frowned upon to critique him in public.”
That experience fueled a broader interest in the Middle East and North Africa, ultimately leading Jurack to his Honors Week presentation titled “Institutional Heritage and Satisfaction with Democratic Practices in African Monarchies: Evidence from Eswatini, Lesotho, and Morocco.”
His research asked what factors explain citizen satisfaction with democratic practices in autocratic monarchies.
Jurack challenged conventional understandings of governance in allied monarchies, an important consideration when evaluating U.S. foreign policy and democracy promotion abroad.
“I started planning my thesis in the spring of my 3rd Class year,” Jurack said. “I spent five weeks this past summer working with my advisor on my quantitative data through the Summer Undergraduate Research Institute.”
Jurack employed quantitative analysis using advanced statistical techniques to explore his topic in depth. He worked under the guidance of Dr. Salih Yasun, assistant professor in the Department of International Studies and Political Science.
“Cadet Jurack’s research is valuable because it illuminates how authoritarian regimes—some of which are America’s closest allies—strive to ensure their survival by employing quasi-democratic methods to elicit different forms of engagement from their citizens,” Yasun said.
Yasun, who first worked with Jurack in a Middle East politics course, said he developed his thesis largely on his own, seeking guidance only when necessary. He described Jurack’s continued academic growth, noting improvements in theory-building, data analysis, and integrating findings within broader political discussions.
“I am confident that Cadet Jurack has a bright future and will make valuable contributions to his surroundings, including his country,” Yasun said. “Honors Week has been a great event showcasing the critical and, indeed, cutting-edge research conducted by cadets here at VMI.”
Jurack plans to commission into the U.S. Army as an infantry officer after graduation. He said the research process has strengthened his critical thinking, sharpened his analytical skills, and taught him the value of persistence. He believes these qualities will serve him well in his military career.
