Introduction to Comparative Politics

I. Course Description:

This is an introductory course in the comparative study of nations and their political systems. The course assumes no prior knowledge of political science or international politics. It is built on the belief that comparison is not just the best way to learn more about others, but also to learn about ourselves. The class is designed to help students understand similarities and differences between various types of political systems, and the impact of those variations on peoples' lives.

Traditionally, the field of comparative politics has focused on national histories and on the comparative study of the institutions of government (such as constitutions, executives, legislatures, political parties, and interest groups). The study of political history and institutions does provide a fundamental starting point, and will figure importantly in this course. We will work toward critical, cross-national analysis of the outcomes of policy, in substantive areas such as economic development, social equality, personal liberty, and quality of life.

We’ll start with the old notions of first, second, and third worlds, which developed during the Cold War. As we try to compare different parts of the world and different countries, how much do such labels tell us? In what other ways can we make comparisons, especially in the post-9/11 era?

II. Course Requirements:

This is primarily a lecture course, with time also devoted to discussions and current events. You will not succeed in this course unless you can come to each class section having read and thought about the assigned material; all lectures and discussions are based on this assumption.

The midterm and final examinations are of equal weight and will be a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions. Both exams are worth 40% of the final grade. The midterm will take place in class on October 1 while the final will be Wed, December 12, from 11:00-1:45 p.m. In addition, to provide an ongoing incentive to keep up on readings and attendance, there will be four quizzes, each of which is worth 5%. The first three quizzes and both exams will cover both lecture and reading materials. Quiz 4 will cover current events that we have been discussing in class.

Quiz 1: September 12

Quiz 2 October 10

Quiz 3: November 7

Quiz 4: December 3

Students who fail to attend class on those days without prior approval of the instructor may not take a make-up.

I realize that much of this material will be new to many students. So please feel free to come chat with me if you have any questions or doubts. Aside from being in my office, I check email constantly so you can get in touch with me electronically as well. I will take as much time as you need to make sure that you feel comfortable that you understand everything. I would also like to encourage you to come talk to me if you have questions about quiz grades. The best way to improve your grade is to know how you could have improved your grade on the prior quiz.

III. Course Materials:

1. The required, principal textbook for the course is:

James N. Danziger, Understanding the Political World: A Comparative Introduction to Political Science, New York: Addison Wesley Longman, Eighth Edition, 2007.

2. An additional set of required readings can be found on Blackboard.

You access Blackboard through 49er Express, which is a link on the homepage of the university. If you have any questions about access, please let me know.

IV. Course Outline and Reading Assignments:

PART I: How and Why to Compare

Week 1 – Aug 20 & 22

Introduction to Concepts: States, Nations, and other fun stuff

Required readings:

Danziger (Text): Chapters 1 and 5

Juan Enriquez, "Too Many Flags?" Foreign Policy, Fall 1999 (on Blackboard)

Weeks 2-4 – Aug 27 & 29; Sept 3 & 5; Sept 10-12

NO CLASS ON SEPT 3 OR 5 BECAUSE I WILL BE AT A LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES CONFERENCE

QUIZ 1 ON SEPTEMBER 12

Political Beliefs, Ideology and Culture

What is Democracy?

Required readings:

Danziger (Text): Chapters 2, 4 and 7

PART II: The “First World” also known as “Developed World”

How do we know a “developed” country when we see one?

The Case of France

Required readings:

Danziger (Text): Chapters 10 and 13; also pages 195-196 (on France)

“A Study in Perpetual Motion,” The Economist May 26, 2007 (on Blackboard)

Week 5 – Sept 17 & 19

The Case of Great Britain

The Case of the United States

Required readings:

Danziger (Text): Chapters 3 and 6; also pages 377-378 (on Britain)

PART III: The “Second World” also known as Communism

Week 6 – Sept 24 & 26

What is Communism?

Understanding the interaction between politics and economics – “political economy”

Required readings:

Danziger (Text): Chapters 8 and 15

Week 7 – Oct 1 & 3

MIDTERM EXAM ON OCTOBER 1

The Case of China

Required readings:

“Men Without Women: The Consequences of Family Planning,” The Economist June 22, 2002 (on Blackboard)

Weeks 8 & 9 – Oct 8 & 10; Oct 15 & 17

NO CLASS ON OCT 8

QUIZ 2 ON OCTOBER 10

The Case of North Korea

Required readings:

“Pyongyanology,” The Economist July 7, 2007 (on Blackboard)

The Case of USSR/Russia

Vladimir Shlapentokh, “Two Simplified Pictures of Putin’s Russia, Both Wrong,” World Policy Journal 22, 1 (Spring 2005) (on Blackboard)

Part IV: The “Third World” also known as “Less Developed”

Weeks 10 & 11 – Oct 22 & 24; Oct 29 & 31

The issue of human rights

What does it mean to be “less developed”?

Transitions from dictatorship to democracy

Required readings:

Danziger (Text): Chapter 14

“Religion and Genocide” Commonweal (2001) (on Blackboard)

Scott Straus,”Darfur and the Genocide Debate,” Foreign Affairs 84, 1 (Jan-Feb 2005) (on Blackboard)

Weeks 12 & 13 – Nov 5 & 7; Nov 12 & 14

QUIZ 3 ON NOVEMBER 7

Political Violence and Terrorism

The Middle East

Required readings:

Danziger (Text): Chapter 12; (on the issue of Palestine, see pp. 346-348).

Week 14 – Nov 19; Nov 26 & 28

NO CLASS ON NOV 21

The Case of Pakistan

The Case of Colombia

Danziger (text): on the issue of Pakistan/India, see pp. 121-122.

“Pakistan: Too Much For One Man to Do,” The Economist July 6, 2006

“Pakistan: Changing Its Stripes,” The Economist July 6, 2006

“Pakistan: The Future Looks Bearded,” The Economist July 6, 2006

“Trade, Death, and Drugs,” The Economist May 19, 2007 (on Blackboard)

The Case of Mexico

The Case of South Africa

“Small Loans and Big Ambitions,” The Economist March 17, 2007 (on Blackboard)

“A Man of Two Faces,” The Economist January 22, 2005 (on Blackboard)

Week 15 – Dec 3 & 5

QUIZ 4 ON DECEMBER 3

Conclusion

Academic Integrity

All UNC Charlotte students have the responsibility to be familiar with and to observe the requirements of The UNC Charlotte Code of Student Academic Integrity (see the Catalog). This Code forbids cheating, fabrication or falsification of information, multiple submission of academic work, plagiarism, abuse of academic materials (such as Library books on reserve), and complicity in academic dishonesty (helping others to violate the Code). Any further specific requirements or permission regarding academic integrity in this course will be stated by the instructor, and are also binding on the students in this course. Students who violate the Code can be punished to the extent of being permanently expelled from UNC Charlotte and having this fact recorded on their official transcripts. The normal penalty is zero credit on the work involving dishonesty and further substantial reduction of the course grade. In almost all cases, the course grade is reduced to "F." If you do not have a copy of the Code, you can obtain one from the Dean of Students Office or access it online at http://www.legal.uncc.edu/policies/ps-105.html. Standards of academic integrity will be enforced in this course. Students are expected to report cases of academic dishonesty they become aware of to the course instructor who is responsible for dealing with them.