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COURSE OBJECTIVES
In the last decades the world has experienced two significant – and
possibly related (?) phenomena: democratization and economic globalization.
The democratization "wave" that swept the developing world starting in
the mid-1980s seems to confirm the thesis that democracy is the best type
of government. The fact that processes of democratization/re-democratization
have unfolded in parallel to that of global economic integration seems
to confirm yet another thesis: that capitalism contributes to the emergence/consolidation
of democracy. In this course we will examine and question these theses.
We will discuss the origins of democracy, its different types, and its
performance regarding the accomplishment of its main goals: liberty, equality,
representation, social and economic justice, and political stability. We
will compare European-style democracies with other forms of governments.
How do they fare? Can their achievements be replicated in non-European
societies? Are there legitimate alternatives to liberal democracy? Does
capitalism foster democracy? Can democracy emerge and flourish in the absence
of a capitalist economy?
The course is organized in five parts. The first (Introduction) deals with the tools (methods and theories) available for the study of Comparative Politics. The second (Political Theories and Political Systems) establishes the link between the main modern political ideologies and current political systems. Part III (Liberal Democracies) discusses the origins of Western-style democracy and its sub-types. Class lectures and debates will focus on England and France, but the student is expected to apply the concepts learned to other countries. The fourth and fifth parts of the course deal with political alternatives to democracy and with the challenges of democratic transitions. In Part 4 we will revisit the history of the Chinese and Russian revolutions and the political systems that were built in their wake. We will focus, however, on the challenges that these countries have faced in their attempts to reform their post-revolutionary structures. Finally, in Part 5 we will evaluate the political responses of Brazilian and Nigerian societies to the demands of modernization. We will also assess the implications of these countries’ experiences of colonial domination and military rule for their democratic future.
In the Course Plan below you will find the assigned readings for each
class (or group of classes) as well as a series of questions that will
guide BUT NOT LIMIT our discussions.
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Required Readings (Available at the Holy Cross Bookstore)
1) Palmer, Monte (1997): Comparative Politics – Political Economy,
Political Culture, and Political Interdependence, F.E. Peacock Publishers,
Inc., Itasca, Illinois.
2) Marx, K & Engels, F.: The Communist Manifesto.
3) Harrison, Paul (1993): Inside the Third World, Penguin Books
EVALUATION AND GUIDELINES
FOR REQUIREMENTS
The final grade will be assigned based on the marks obtained by the
student on a) class participation and one class presentation (15%), b)
a mid term exam (20%), c) a 5-7 page paper (15%), d) a final exam (25%),
and e) a term paper (10-12 pages long) (25%).
Guidelines for class participation and class presentations: The course’s format mixes lectures and class discussions. For our discussions to be productive, it is indispensable that students familiarize themselves with the concepts and debates spelled out in the assigned readings. The more familiar you are with the readings, the more comfortable you will be in asking questions and stating your opinions about the concepts and processes discussed in the course. Class presentations will be evaluated based on three equally important criteria: organization, content, and creativity. See details in POLS 102 Assignments (class presentation).
Guidelines for the mid-term exam: The mid-term
will be composed of two parts:
a) definitions/identifications and short questions;
b) two essays
Guidelines for 5-7 page paper: This “short” paper is an opportunity for the student to practice his/her analytical skills. The student will do a critical analysis of assigned texts. For detailed guidelines see POLS 102 Assignments (mid-term paper).
Guidelines for the final exam: The exam is cumulative and will be composed of four essays. The emphasis is on assessing students’ understanding of processes, rather than their capacity to memorize facts and dates.
Guidelines for the term paper: Students will be required to write a memo advising the leaders of a democratic movement on appropriate strategies to foster and consolidate democracy in Nameland, an imaginary country. See specific guidelines in POLS 102 Assignments (final paper).
Part 1: Introduction
What does Comparative Politics encompass? How have people tried to
explain differences among countries in what regards their political systems,
economic development, and social changes? What methods and tools are available
to researchers interested in Comparative Politics?
Part 1: What is Comparative Politics?
What and how does it deal with?
Assigned readings and study questions for WEEK
1 (January 17 and 19)
Comparative Politics (Palmer), Chapter 1
On reserve:
Dogan, M. & Pelassy, D. (1984): How to Compare Nations, Chatam
House Publishers, Chapter 1 “Comparing to Escape from Ethnocentrism.”
Lewis, P.& Potter, D. (1973): The Practice of Comparative Politics,
Longman, Section I “What is Comparative Politics?”
Part 2: Political Ideologies and Political Systems
Why and how are political systems different? What are the consequences
of such differences? What are the implications of different developmental
paths for the prospects of democracy in different countries?
2.1: Democracy and its variants
Assigned readings and study questions for WEEK
2 (January 22 - 26)
Comparative Politics (Palmer), Chapter 1.
On Reserve:
Mac Pherson, C.B. (1966): The Real World of Democracy, Chapters 1,
2 and 3 (“Old and new Dimensions of Democracy,” “Non-liberal Democracy:
The Communist Variant,” and “Non-Liberal Democracy: The Underdeveloped
Variant”)
2.2: Theories of Modernization
Assigned readings and study questions for WEEK
3 (January 29 - February 2)
Get hand-out on Moore
On reserve:
Moore B., Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy, “Preface” and
Chapters 7 and 9
Huntington, S. (1968): Political Order in Changing Societies,
Yale University Press, Chapter 1 pp. 1-11and 32-39. AND Huntington, S.:
“Mobilization and Institutionalization” (pp. 67-72)
Giddens, A. (1971): “Rationalization, “the world religions,” and western
capitalism” in Capitalism and Modern Social Theory, Cambridge University
Press.
Part 3: Liberal Democracies: England and France
What can we learn from different historical paths to democracy that
may help us evaluate its prospects in the world today? What factors contribute
to democratic stability? What factors hinder it? How do different electoral
and party systems affect each other and what are the implications of each
for a representative democracy?
3.1. Democracy: Origins and Meanings
Assigned readings and study questions for WEEK
4 (February 5 - 9)
Palmer, Chapters 2 and 3.(History)
On Reserve
Schmitter, P. & Karl, T. (1996): “What Democracy is … and is not”
Diamond and Plattner : The Global Resurgence of Democracy, John Hopkins
University
Almond, G. (1991): Capitalism and Democracy,” Comparative Politics
99/00, Annual Editions
Lipset, S. Some Social Requisites of Democracy,” in Macridis &
Brown (eds.): Comparative Politics: notes and readings.
FEBRUARY 12th: Short Paper due!
3.2: Democratic Institutions and “Praxis”
Assigned readings and study questions for WEEK
5 (February 12 - 16)
Palmer, Chapters 2 and 3.
Get hand-out on political institutions (all
8 cases)
On reserve:
Scarrow, H. “Parliamentary and Presidential Government Compared
Mahler, G. “Parliament and Congress: Is the Grass Greener on the Other
Side?” Comparative Politics 95/96
February 16th: Class Debate: Presidentialism
vs. Parliamentarism
3.3: Policy-making in Parliamentary Democracies
Assigned Readings and study questions for WEEK
6 (February 19 - 23)
Palmer, Chapters 2 and 3.
Get hand-out on political representation
On reserve:
Studlar, D. (1999): “A Constitutional revolution in Britain?” Comparative
politics 99/00, Annual Editions
Various authors (1999): “France (4 short articles),” Perspectives –
Comparative Politics, edited by E. Sandberg.
February 23: Class presentations:
I. What is the Problem with Liberal Democracies?
(Background: "Democratic Imperfections," The Economist).
II. Representative or Direct Democracy? (Background:
"The People's Voice," The Economist)
Part 4: China and the USSR/Russia
What role do social revolutions play in the construction of democracy
(suggestion: compare the outcomes of the Chinese and Russian revolutions
to France (1789) and if possible, Nicaragua (1978/9))? What democratic
ideals should prevail, equality or freedom? Is it possible to achieve social
justice while upholding freedom for all? Is it possible to promote democracy
in the absence of capitalism? How much dissent can be tolerated within
the boundaries of democracy? When does the demand for political stability
become more important for a government than the rights of its citizens?
4.1: The Social Origins of Dictatorship
Assigned Readings and study questions for WEEK
7 (February 26 - March 2)
Marx & Engels: “The Communist Manifesto” (except part III).
Get hand-out on Marx & Engels
On reserve:
Mac Pherson, C.B. (1966): The Real World of Democracy, Chapters 1,
2 and 3 (“Old and new Dimensions of Democracy,” “Non-liberal Democracy:
The Communist Variant,” and “Non-Liberal Democracy: The Underdeveloped
Variant”)
Giddens: “The Relations of Production and Class Structure”
4.2. Social revolutions
Assigned Readings and study questions for WEEK
8 (March 12 - 16)
Palmer, Chapters 6 and 7 (Historical Context)
Get hand-out on China and USSR (Social Revolutions)
On reserve:
Moore, Chapter 9
Perry, E. (1994): “Labor Divided: sources of state formation in modern
China,” in Migdal et al.
Movie: China Rising, part 2. (Dinan Library)
March 16th: Mid -Term Exam.
4.3. Totalitarian Systems and Reform
Assigned Readings and study questions for WEEK
9 (March 19 and 23)
Palmer, Chapter 6 and 7.
On reserve:
Kristof, N. & Wu Dunn (1974) “The Taiwan Option”, in China Wakes.
Shue, V. (1994): “State Power and Social Organization in China”, in
Migdal et al.: State Power and Social Forces.
4.4. Democracy in China and Russia: Obstacles and Opportunities
Assigned Readings and study questions for WEEK
10 (March 26 - 30)
Palmer, Chapter 6 and 7.
On reserve:
Fish, M. (1996): “Russia’s Fourth Transition” in Diamond & Plattner
Remnick, D. (1997): “Can Russia Change?”, in Comparative Politics 99/00
Annual Editions.
McFaul, M. (1997): “Democracy Unfolds in Russia”, in Current History,
October.
Meisner, M. (1997): “The Other China,” in Current History, September.
March 30th: Class presentations:
III. Post-Communist Europe: What Now? (Background:
"The Emerging Face of New Europe," Financial Times).
IV. Is China on the Wrong Side of History? (Background:
"Jiang Zeming: On the Right Side of History?" Current History).
Section 5: Brazil and Nigeria
What are the impacts of social homogeneity/ heterogeneity on political
stability and democracy? How does modern democracy cope with the residues
of colonial institutions and structures? Can democracy, a Western system
of government, be successfully adopted by non-western societies? What kind
of democracy flourishes under the tutelage of a particular group or political
elite? Is a strong executive power a hindrance or an advantage for democratic
stability?
5.1. The Colonial Heritage and the Challenges of State Formation
Assigned Readings and study questions for WEEK
11 (April 2 and 4)
Palmer, Chapter 11 and Chapter on Brazil from Palmer's 1st edition
(ON RESERVE) (For these classes read only “The Context of (Brazilian
and Nigerian) Politics: Culture, Economics, and International Interdependence”).
Harrison, Chapters 2, 3, 4, and 6.
On reserve:
Huntington, S. (1-8, 32-59)
Mac Pherson, C.B. (1966): The Real World of Democracy, Chapters 1,
2 and 3 (“Old and new Dimensions of Democracy,” “Non-liberal Democracy:
The Communist Variant,” and “Non-Liberal Democracy: The Underdeveloped
Variant”)
5.2: Political Stability, Development, and Authoritarian Rule
Assigned Readings and study questions for WEEK
12 (April 6 - 11)
Palmer, Chapter 11 and Chapter on Brazil from Palmer's 1st edition
(ON RESERVE)
Harrison 10, 11, and 12 and 20.
Get hand-out on Brazil and Nigeria (Revolutions
from above)
On reserve:
Boone, C. (1994): "State and Ruling Classes in post Colonial Africa,"
in Migdal at al.
5.3. The Challenges of Democratic Transition and Consolidation
Assigned Readings and study questions for WEEK 13 (April 18 - 23)
Palmer, Chapter 11 and Chapter on Brazil from Palmer's 1st edition
(ON RESERVE)
Get hand-out: The Chess Game
On reserve:
O’Donnell & Schmitter (1991): Transitions from Authoritarian
Rule, John Hopkins, University Press Chapters 3 and 7.
Video: Capital Sins: Authoritarianism and Democratization (Series:
Americas), MRC Video Collection (Stein , 3rd Floor)
April 25th: Class Presentations:
V. Globalization or Localization? (Background:
Globalization's Double Edge," International Herald Tribune and "Jihad
vs. McWorld," The Atlantic Monthly).
VI. Environmental Susttainable Development? (Background:
"Dirt Poor," The Economist)
6. Conclusions
Assigned Readings and study questions for WEEK
14 (April 27)
On reserve:
Moore, Chapters 7 and 9
Schmitter, P.(1996): “More Liberal, Preliberal, or Postliberal?” and
O’Donnell, G. (1996): “Do Economists Know Best?” in Diamond & Plattner
(ON RESERVE)
Huntington, S.: “The Coming Clash of Civilizations” + debate articles
(all in one pack), Comparative Politics 99/00 Annual Editions.
April 30th: Term Paper due
Final Exam
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