Course Outline PLSC 212 - M. Usman Farooq
What is Comparative Politics? In short, it refers both to comparing the internal politics of various countries, as well as a particular method of studying politics in general. There is one basic underlying assumption: to understand any aspect of politics, it is not enough to know about only one particular case or country. In this class, we will always study a particular topic across a number of cases. We will focus on some of the most important political phenomenon in the world today, including democracy and authoritarianism, the development of the state, various ways of organizing a society’s political economy, as well as revolutions and political violence. We will follow some of the major debates surrounding these phenomena, and discuss whether it is long-standing socio-economic factors that shape these events and processes, whether culture and ideas play much of a role, or whether rational elites making immediate decisions based on cost-benefit analysis are the primary driver of politics. There will be a considerable amount of assigned readings. I expect students to come to class prepared, particularly with any questions they might have. Difficult questions are particularly appreciated.