Comparative Politics (Fall 2012): Syllabus Plus Evals

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GOVT 230: Introduction to Comparative Politics Department of Government Morehead State University

Fall 2012 Tu,Th,F2: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Bert Combs Bldg., Room 000409

Gregory A. McBrayer [email protected] (606) 783-2920

Office Hours: Tues., 2-4 p.m. And by appointment

Office: 110-AA Bert Combs Bldg.

*** According the undergraduate catalogue, this course is meant to serve as an introduction to the concepts and themes of comparative government, showing the evolution of political systems, and their response to problems of organization, order and governance. Our primary focus will be on the character of different types of political regimes including democracy, oligarchy, tyranny, aristocracy, monarchy, empire, theocracy, authoritarianism, communism, and liberalism. We will accordingly undertake several case studies, examining the regime of two ancient cities (Athens and Sparta), and three modern states (France, China, and Iran). In addition to comparing different types of regimes, we will also compare the various ways that political scientists have endeavored to compare and classify political regimes throughout history. That is, in addition to studying the contemporary science of Comparative Politics, we will consider the Classical Political Science of Aristotle and the Early Modern Political Science of Machiavelli, Hobbes, and Montesquieu. Completion of this course should provide one with a solid introduction to the sub-field of Comparative Politics. Additionally, this course strives to expose students to alternative ways of understanding politics and to encourage them to recognize the strengths and shortcomings of these various approaches. All of this is with a view to being better able to understand the nature of politics.

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I. Required Texts 1) Aristotle. Politics. Trans. Carnes Lord. University of Chicago Press, Chicago:

1985. ISBN: 0-22602-669-8 2) Montesquieu. On the Spirit of the Laws. Trans. Anne M. Cohler. Cambridge

University Press, Cambridge: 1989. ISBN: 0-52136-974-6 3) O’Neil, Patrick H. Cases in Comparative Politics. 3rd Edition. Norton: 2010.

ISBN: 9780393933772 [Cases] 4) O’Neil, Patrick H. Essentials of Comparative Politics. 3rd Edition. Norton:

2010. ISBN: 9780393933765 [Essentials] 5) Any required reading not in one of these four books will be posted on Blackboard.

You will be required to print these out and bring them to class on the days we do these readings. [BB].

6) You should also read a newspaper with significant international news coverage.

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II. Course Requirements Due Date 1. Preparation & Participation 15% 2. Quizzes 15% 3. First Essay (1000-1250 words) 20% Sept. 18 4. Second Essay (1000-1250 words) 20% Oct. 2 5. Final Exam 30% Dec. 10

Class Preparation, Participation, and Attendance: The readings for this class will require time for serious reflection. Your primary task is to come to class each day having read very carefully and to be prepared to talk intelligently about the material. Class discussion is imperative, and for that, attendance is mandatory. Every missed class will result in a lower grade, and excessive absences will result in a failing grade. There are many classes on campus where the instructor has a greater tolerance for absences than I do, so if you find this requirement unreasonable, I would urge you to find another course. Quizzes. There will be pop quizzes, but some quizzes may be announced. Essays: To receive credit for this course, students must also write all two essays. These essays are meant to encourage you to wrestle with the text. I expect papers that are well argued, original, succinct, and beautiful. I want to enjoy reading them. I am not looking for summary; we have all read the text. Make an argument. You should feel free to take the author to task. Agree or disagree with interpretations offered in class. I encourage you to write and rewrite, read and proofread. I will count off for bad arguments, and I will also hold you accountable to the highest standards of style. This includes grammar. Grammatical mistakes often indicate a lack of time and effort spent on a paper. One of the great benefits of this course is that you will hopefully learn—in addition to a something about politics—how to read and write carefully. These are great tools that will aid you in whatever you pursue. Failure to meet the minimum word count will result in a grade reduction. More instructions will follow. Please be advised, however, that late papers will not be accepted after the dates listed above and extensions are granted in the rarest of circumstances. Exams: There will be a final for this class. Examinations will be administered on the dates listed and will be meant to demonstrate that you have understood the material. It is better to come take the exam even if you are not as prepared as you would like to be. Late exams will be administered only in extreme circumstances as defined by university policy. Grade Distribution In accord with the Undergraduate Catalog, grades will be assigned as follows: A = Excellent academic work B = Good academic work C = Average academic work D = Below average academic work E = Failure

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III. Miscellanea:

1. Academic Integrity: All students at Morehead State University are required to abide by accepted standards of academic honesty. All work must be done in strict accordance with the letter and spirit of these standards. All violations will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible. If you have any doubts or questions whatsoever as to what constitutes a violation, please speak to me ahead of time. When writing papers, you are not permitted to use outside sources unless explicitly granted permission in writing. This means Cliff’s Notes, the internet, scholarly journals, etc. You are to remain solely within the confines of the texts at hand. Part of this course is learning how to think for oneself about the issues raised in the text. For questions about the Academic Honesty, please consult the following website:

http://www.moreheadstate.edu/files/units/dsl/eaglehandbook/studenthandbook2008-09.pdf [pgs.11 & 39]

2. Disabilities. Students with documented disabilities should see the instructor. Their needs, contingent upon College approval, will be accommodated.

3. Absences: Class absences will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis by the instructor of the course. If a student misses class for any reason (for example, religious observances, college trips, family emergencies, or illness), the student must discuss this absence with the instructor in advance. The student will be responsible for making up any missed work as a result of a class absence. Please be advised, excessive absences will result in a failing grade for this course.

4. Campus Safety Statement: Students should familiarize themselves with the nearest exit routes in the event evacuation becomes necessary. You should notify your instructor at the beginning of the semester if you have special needs or will require assistance during an emergency evacuation. For information regarding emergency response protocols, please consult the following website:

www.moreheadstate.edu/emergency

5. Student Learner Outcomes: This course is intended to promote the following student learner outcomes. 1b. Read college-level critical, creative and technical texts for comprehension 1c. Write effectively for a variety of target audiences using conventions associated with standard English 4b. Investigate the worldview and/or history of cultures outside the United States

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IV. Schedule of Readings Class/Date Subject and Reading

1. Tues., Aug 21 Introduction: Review of Expectations and Syllabus Part One. CLASSICAL POLITICAL SCIENCE AND THE STUDY OF REGIMES 2. Thurs., Aug. 23 The Nature of Politics and the Nature of Man

Aristotle, Politics Bk. I.1-2 3. Tues., Aug. 28 Citizenship and the Basis of Regimes

Aristotle, Politics Bk. III.1-8 4. Thurs., Aug. 30 Justice, Kingship, and Law

Aristotle, Politics Bk. III.9-18 5. Fri., Aug. 31 Classical Regime Types

Aristotle, Politics Bk. IV.1-10 6. Tues., Sept. 4 The Best Practical Regime and Types of Institutions

Aristotle, Politics Bk. IV.11-16 7. Thurs., Sept. 6 Varieties within Regime Types

Aristotle, Politics Bk. VI

8. Tues., Sept. 11 Case Study: Ancient Oligarchy Xenophon, The Regime of the Lacedaemonians Recommended Reading: Aristotle, Politics Bk. II.9

9. Thurs., Sept. 13 Case Study: Ancient Democracy Xenophon, The Regime of the Athenians

Part Two. THE EMERGENCE OF MODERN POLITICAL SCIENCE 10. Fri., Sept. 14 The Effectual Truth about Politics

Machiavelli, Prince: Chs. 1&15 Hobbes, De Cive: Chs. 1&7

11. Tues., Sept. 18 The Spirit of the Laws & Laws in General Montesquieu, Spirit of the Laws, Author’s Foreword, Preface, Bk. I

12. Thurs., Sept. 20 Laws and the Nature of Government Montesquieu, Spirit of the Laws, Bk. II-IV

13. Tues., Sept. 25 Laws and Liberty Montesquieu, Spirit of the Laws, Bk. XI, Ch. 1-8, Bk. XII, Ch. 1-8

14. Thurs., Sept. 27 Laws and Climate Montesquieu, Spirit of the Laws, Bk XIV, XV, XIX, Ch. 2-6, 27

15. Fri., Sept. 28 Laws and Commerce Montesquieu, Spirit of the Laws, Bk. XX, Ch. 1-23; Bk. XXI, Ch. 1-6, 20-22

Part Three. CONTEMPORARY COMPARATIVE POLITICS I. The Science of Comparative Politics: What it studies and how it studies it.

16. Tues., Oct. 2 The Value of Social Science Weber, “Science as a Vocation” pp. 138-end. [BB]

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17. Thurs., Oct. 4 Various Methods in Comparative Politics Lichbach and Zuckerman, “Research Traditions and Theory in Comparative

Politics: An Introduction” [BB] Fukuyama, “How Academia Failed the Nation: The Decline of Regional Studies”

[BB] Essentials, Ch. 1 pp. 1-13

18. Tues., Oct. 9

The Modern State Weber, “Politics as a Vocation” (only first six pages) [BB] Krasner, “Think Again: Sovereignty” [BB] Cases, Ch. 1, pp. 2-13 Essentials, Ch. 2

19. Thurs., Oct. 11

The Political Economy of Modern States Essentials, Ch. 4 Cases, Ch. 1, “Comparing Political Economies” “Pick your poison” The Economist [BB]

II. Contemporary Case Studies Case 1. France 20. Tues., Oct. 16 Democratic Regimes

Schmitter and Karl, “What Democracy is… and is Not” Journal of Democracy [BB] Essentials, 5&7

21. Thurs., Oct. 18

History of France and the Founding Principles of the French Regime The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen [BB] Charles de Gaulle’s Bayeux Speech [BB] Cases, Ch. 4: pp. 116-126

22. Tues., Oct. 23 France’s Political Regime Cases, Ch. 4: pp. 126-136 “L'hyperprésident” The Economist [BB]

23. Thurs., Oct. 25 France’s Future Cases, Ch. 4: pp. 136-153 “Muslims in France: On a Mat and a Prayer” The Economist [BB] “Adieu, la France” The Economist [BB] “A winner in France, alarm in Greece” The Economist [BB]

Case 2. China 24. Fri., Oct. 26 Marxism

Marx and Engels, “The Communist Manifesto” (Start on p. 14, and Omit Part III) [BB]

25. Tues., Oct. 30

Communist and Post-Communist Regimes Essentials, Chapter 8, “Communism and Post-Communism” “Marx after Communism,” Economist [BB]

26. Thurs., Nov. 1

Maoism Mao, “On the People’s Democratic Dictatorship,” “Combat Liberalism” [BB] Cases, Ch. 8: pp. 286-296

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27. Thurs., Nov. 8 China’s Political Regime Cases, Ch. 8: pp. 296-306 Yardley, “Chinese Dam Projects Criticized for Their Human Costs” [BB] Essentials, Chapter 6

28. Fri., Nov. 9 China’s Future Cases, Ch. 8: (pp. 306-324) “The Second Long March,” Economist [BB] “Riots in Xinjiang: Beijing’ s Nightmare,” Economist [BB] Dickson, et.al., “The Future of China’s Party-State,” Current History [BB]

Case 3. Iran 29. Tues., Nov. 13 Less Developed and Newly Industrializing Regimes

Essentials, Chapter 9, “Less Developed and Newly Industrializing Countries” “The Return of Populism,” Economist [BB]

30. Thurs., Nov. 15 No Class, get started reading Khomeini 31. Tues., Nov. 20 Khomeini and the Roots of the Islamic Revolution

Ruhollah Khomeini, Islamic Government: Governance of the Jurist, pp. 27- 81. [BB] Cases, Ch. 10: “Introduction”

32. Tues., Nov. 27 Iran’s Political Regime Cases, Ch. 10: “Political Regime,” “Society,” and “Political Economy” McFaul, “Chinese Dreams, Persian Realities” [BB]

33. Thurs., Nov. 29 Iran’s Future Cases, Ch. 10: “Political Conflict and Competition” “Foreign Relations and the World” and “Current Issues” Fukuyama, “Iran, Islam, and the Rule of Law,” Wall Street Journal [BB] Anderson, “Can Iran Change?” New Yorker [BB] Lila, “The Persistence of Political Theology,” Current History [BB]

II. Concluding Questions: The Future of Comparative Politics 34. Tues., Dec. 4 The Return of Nationalism?

Huntington “The Clash of Civilizations?” Foreign Affairs [BB] Essentials, Chs. 3

35. Thurs., Dec. 6 The Rise of Globalization? Hoffmann, “Clash of Globalizations,” Foreign Affairs [BB] Bhagwati, “In Defense of Globalization” Lecture [BB] Essentials, Ch. 11

36. Fri., Dec. 7 The End of History? Fukuyama, “The End of History?” The National Interest [BB]