Welcome to POLS 204!Introduction to Comparative PoliticsProf. Susan Whiting
Introduction to Comparative Politics
Subfields of Political Science Comparative politics
Introduction to Comparative Politics
Subfields of Political Science Comparative politics
Political/economic phenomena within state boundaries
Countries other than our own Comparison
Introduction to Comparative Politics
Most important comparative issue:
DEVELOPMENT
Introduction to Comparative Politics
Development Economic aspects Political aspects
Introduction to Comparative Politics
Development Economic aspects
Wealth production Provision of basic needs Improvement in quality of life Equality
Introduction to Comparative Politics
Development Political aspects
Maintenance of stability State capacity to formulate and
implement policy Democracy
Introduction to Comparative Politics
This course will answer the following questions about development: Why are some countries rich and some
countries poor? Why are some countries democratic
and some authoritarian? Why are some countries stable and
others wracked by violence?
Studying Comparative Politics
Studying Comparative Politics
Studying Comparative Politics
Studying Comparative Politics
Introduction to Comparative Politics
We will study 4 important theories that claim to explain economic and political development Neo-liberalism Modernization Dependency Statism
Introduction to Comparative Politics
We will study 6 countries’ experiences with development Britain (United Kingdom) Japan Russia China Mexico Nigeria
Introduction to Comparative Politics: Exercise 1!
Label each country Britain Japan Russia China Mexico Nigeria
Circle label if 20th C imperial power
Make two lists Rank countries by
political freedom Rank countries by level
of economic development
Introduction to Comparative Politics
Course website http://faculty.washington.edu/swhiting/pols204/
