Purpose

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to political science by studying the basic nature of political regimes. What is the difference between democratic and authoritarian systems of government? What variations are there within each category? How do political systems change or "develop" over time? What are the problems in making transitions from authoritarian to democratic regimes? What social, economic or cultural conditions are necessary for stable democracy? The course will examine the following topics in detail: differences between European and American systems of constitutionalism and representative democracy; the development and breakdown of communist regimes; and the search for democracy in Russia and Nigeria.

Readings and Requirements

The following texts are available for purchase in the bookstore and should also be on closed reserve in the library:

Achebe, A MAN OF THE PEOPLE

DeBardeleben, RUSSIAN POLITICS IN TRANSITION, 2 ed.

Mayer, Burnett & Ogden, COMPARATIVE POLITICS, 2 ed.

Soe, COMPARATIVE POLITICS 98/99

Other assigned readings are also on closed reserve or handed out in class. The following are on reserve:

Eckstein & Apter, COMPARATIVE POLITICS: A READER

Vig & Stiefbold, POLITICS IN ADVANCED NATIONS

Students are expected to read assignments before class and may be called upon for discussion. There will be two short papers, a mid-term exam, and a two-hour final exam. The papers will count 30%, the mid-term 30%, the final exam 30%, and class participation 10% of the grade.

Assignments

A. Studying Comparative Politics

W Sep 9 Introductory meeting

F Sep 11 Comparative political theory - Mayer, chap. 1

M Sep 14 Democratic political systems - Soe, pp. 107-121

B. Development of Political Regimes

W Sep 16 America v. Europe - Vig & Stiefbold , 147-78

F Sep 18 Modernization and authoritarian regimes - Vig & Stiefbold, 203-32

M Sep 21 Totalitarian regimes - Eckstein & Apter, 440-448, 464-468

W Sep 23 The transformation of Western European politics - Vig & Stiefbold, 328-58

F Sep 25 Postindustrial democracy - Mayer, chap. 2; Soe, 14-20

A. Great Britain

M Sep 28 British political culture - Mayer, pp. 82-100

W Sep 30 British constitutional system - Mayer, 110-127

F Oct 2 The British party system - Mayer, pp. 100-110; Soe, pp. 21-33, 44-45

M Oct 5 The need for reform - Mayer, 127-138; Soe, 34-43

* first paper due in class *

B. France

W Oct 7 French society and political traditions - Mayer, pp. 141-157

F Oct 9 The current regime - Mayer, 157-180; Soe, 65-79

M Oct 12 No class - Mid-term break

C. Germany

W Oct 14 German political traditions and political culture - Mayer, 181-198

F Oct 16 German democracy and the 1998 elections - Mayer, 198-215; Soe, 47-53, 58-64

M Oct 19 * Mid-term exam * - all of above

W Oct 21 Modern authoritarianism - Mayer, chap. 6

F Oct 23 Russian political culture and traditions - Mayer, pp. 242-263; DeBardeleben, 1-23

M Oct 26 The Stalinist party state - Mayer, 263-270; DeBardeleben, 24-40

W Oct 28 The failure of the Soviet system - DeBardeleben, chap. 2

F Oct 30 Gorbachev's revolution - DeBardeleben, chap. 3; Mayer, 270-282

M Nov 2 The new Russian regime - Mayer, 282-295; DeBardeleben, chaps. 4-5

W Nov 4 The descent into crisis - DeBardeleben, chaps. 6 -7; Soe, 162-173

F Nov 6 Political development in the "third world" - Mayer, chap. 9; Soe, 178-180, 215-221

*second paper due in class*

M Nov 9 Nigerian political traditions and development - Mayer, 356-370; handouts

W Nov 11 Nigerian political culture - Achebe, entire

F Nov 13 The future of democracy - Mayer, 370-78, 407-418