CPO 2002 Comparative Politics

The course examines several countries around the world to compare their political systems, economies, and societies. The countries studied vary in terms of level of economic development as well as geographic location. The course is arranged to emphasize the timing and process of development, institutional arrangements of government, as well as the importance of culture in national identity. Topics of discussion include the global rich/poor gap, culture clash among civilizations, the meaning of the nation state in the twenty-first century, the relationship between religion and politics, the Islamic fundamentalist challenge, ethnicity and nationalism, exporting democracy, civic values and participation. Contemporary issues in each country will be examined. Attention will be given to the ways that democratic states differ, despite their common governmental system of democracy. However, other systems of government besides democracy will also be considered of each country, as well as develop criteria for comparing similarities and differences across countries. A main component of this course is a short research paper dealing with one country outside of the United States and a contemporary problem that it confronts.

CPO 3991 East European Politics

This course follows the transition from communism to democratization through democratic consolidation in Eastern Europe. They question of: how democratic are they today, nearly a decade and a half after the collapse of communism?- will be explored.  Emphasis is on the changes in post-Soviet states, their organization and political institutions, challenges of democratization, transitioning political culture and identity, and contemporary issues.  Several countries will be considered in greater depth, including Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and East Germany.  Specific issues will be addressed across Eastern Europe, including the communist legacy, economic development, interest group emergence, social problems, civil society challenges, and nationalism, to name a few. 

CPO 3990 Radicalism

Political radicals and political extremists reside outside of the boundaries of mainstream politics because they diverge sharply in their ideological orientation strategy and tactics relative to the parties of the political center.  This course explores the politics of mostly radical and extremist political parties, although some discussion of social movements of this type may be included.  It focuses on the ideology, discourse, goals and actions of certain parties and groups on the “fringe” of politics.  Emphasis is on parties of the extreme right, especially anti-immigrant parties of this type in Europe.  However, radical Islamists, other religious radicals, radicals of the Marxist / Communist variety, environmental radicals, black radicals, other ethnic radicals, and the American radical right may be referenced or compared

CPO 4314 Democracies

The world has become increasingly democratic over the last several decades.
Still the variety of democracies that exist around the world suggests a lack of agreement about what it means to be a democracy, how to develop one, and how to maintain one over time.  This course examines what it means to be a twenty-first century democracy.  It considers the promise that democracy holds but also discusses some problems with modern democracy in practice.  Even though all receive the label of democracy, some democracies seem to be examples of “success” while others show signs of democratic “failure.”  The criteria for success and failure will be explored.  Several countries from around the world will be examined to determine which factors seem to improve a government’s chances for democratic success.  Successful democracies should be accountable, competitive, transparent, representative, and provide access channels for interest articulation.  Countries will be evaluated in part according to how fully they exhibit these characteristics.  The course presents political parties as key institutional variants, which provide for interest articulation and the organization of politics in democratic systems.  The question of a correlation between democratic failure and political party failure will be addressed.  Special emphasis will be given to radical right-wing parties as possible products of democratic failure.

CPO 6006 Seminar in Comparative Politics

This course gives students an introduction to the application of the comparative method for understanding political challenges and political systems around the world. The course teaches students how and what to compare in order to develop fuller knowledge of other countries. Focus is on comparing governmental systems and their institutions, political problems, political economy and cultural issues. Topics include pluralism and democracy, the state, ethnic politics and identity, interest aggregation and representation, revolutions and violence, and underdevelopment (political and economic).

INR 2002 International Politics

INR 6007 Seminar in International Politics