Political Science 120

Spring 2002

Prof. Norm Vig
Science Annex 116A, ext. 4120
Office hours: SCIX 116A: 2-4, Tu, Th

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; European integration; the development and breakdown of communist regimes; and the search for democracy in Russia and Nigeria.

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

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

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.

I. INTRODUCTION: STUDYING COMPARATIVE POLITICS

M April 1 Introductory meeting

W April 3 Approaches to comparative politics - Kesselman, pp. 3-25

F April 5 Democracy as a Concept - Soe, 102-117; 220-226

M April 8 America v. Europe - Vig & Stiefbold , 147-78

W April 10 Modernization and authoritarian regimes - Vig & Stiefbold, 203-32

F April 12 Totalitarian regimes - Eckstein & Apter, 440-448, 464-468

M April 15 Case study: the Soviet Union - Solzhenitsyn, entire

II. POLITICS IN POSTINDUSTRIAL DEMOCRACIES

W April 17 British political development - Kesselman, 28-50

F April 19 British constitutional system - Kesselman, 50-70; Soe, 28-37

M April 22 The Blair revolution - Kesselman, 70-77; Soe, 10-13, 21-27

W April 24 French political development - Kesselman, 80-104

F April 26 The Fifth Republic - Kesselman, 104-126

M April 29 Current French politics - Kesselman, 126-132, Soe, 16-18, 50-54

W May 1 Development of German Kesselman, 134-70

F May 3 Current German politics Democracy - Kesselman, 170-86; Soe, 13-16, 38-49

M May 6 Mid-term break No class

W May 8 Simulation: German Election

F May 10 * Mid-term exam * all of above

III. THE END OF NATIONALISM? THE EUROPEAN UNION

M May 13 The problem of social integration - Caporaso, 1-41, Soe, 130-137

W May 15 The democratic deficit - Caporaso, 42-103; Soe, 138-139

F May 17 The future of Europe - Caporaso, 103-143, Soe, 147-153

IV. TRANSITIONS FROM COMMUNISM TO DEMOCRACY: RUSSIA TO THE SOVIET UNION AND BACK

M May 20 Russian and Soviet political development - Kesselman, 426-436

W May 22 The Soviet breakdown - Kesselman, 436-51

F May 24 The new Russian regime - Kesselman, 452-83; Soe, 154-164

5. COLONIALISM, AUTHORITARIANISM, AND DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA

M May 27 Nigerian state building - Kessleman, 545-574

W May 29 The problem of governance - Kesselman, 574-605

F May 31 Nigerian political culture - Achebe, Man of the People (entire)

M June 3 Globalization and Democratization - Soe, 177-178, 213-217

W June 5 Globalization and Culture - Soe, 227-240, handout

Final exam (covers Parts III-VI of the course)