This course examines how democracy evolves and functions in various economic and cultural settings. We start with the emergence of democracy in Western Europe, examining the factors that give rise to it and help it survive in Great Britain and France. We next examine the origins of fascism in Germany and Japan, the reasons why it emerged and the subsequent emergence of democracy in these countries. We then examine the rise of communism in Russia and China, attempting to understand why it emerged and flourished in those settings — and why it later collapsed. This leads to an analysis of the current struggle between reformers and hardliners, concerning the move to market economies and liberal democracy in Russia, China and Eastern Europe. Next, we will examine the struggle for democracy in Mexico and India. Finally, we examine the extent to which there are predictable trajectories of economic, cultural and political change in global perspective.

This course is in the Comparative Politics subfield.

Course Requirements:

The course requirements include two short research papers, a midterm exam, and a final exam.

Intended Audience:

Primarily for first and second year students

Class Format:

In addition to two lectures, there are two meetings a week in small discussion sections designed to encourage active discussion of these topics.