The final set of lecture notes is now available.
The A&M system cancelled all classes after noon on November 25, including ours. However, we are expected to make up the contact hours. Doing this is easy -- instead of coming to class, take time over the weekend to watch a slightly earlier (and much shorter -- only 45 mins instead of 120 minutes) version of the Development lecture that I posted online for another class. Click here to view (needs Flash to work).
Course Documents |
Syllabus -- Includes all homework assignments |
| Homework Materials |
Assignment 1 was DUE on Monday, November 2 -- Here is the Excel Workbook -- Here is the Foreign Policy Index of Failed States
Assignment 2 was DUE on Monday, November 16 -- revise by Nov 30 Assignment 3 was DUE on Monday, November 23 Assignment 4 is DUE on Monday December 7 |
Class Notes |
The Logic of Comparative Politics The Evolution of the State (large file) The End of History? (large file) |
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Dates |
Topic |
Assigned Readings |
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Oct 19 |
The Good Life – or Dictatorship, Depression and Genocide? The Logic of Comparative Politics |
None |
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Oct 21 |
Chapters 1, 2, 3 |
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Oct 26 |
The Evolution of the State: Power, Legitimacy, and Collapse |
Chapters 4, 5 |
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Oct 28 |
Chapter 6, Rotberg: “The New Nature of Nation-State Failure” |
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Nov 2 |
The End of History? Democracy and Democratization |
Chapters 7, 9 Assignment 1 due |
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Nov 4 |
Chapters 10, 20 |
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Nov 9 |
Who Rules? Systems of Governance and Popular Participation |
Chapters 8, 11, Horowitz: “Electoral Systems: A Primer for Decision-Makers” |
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Nov16 |
Chapters 16, 17 Assignment 2 due |
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Nov 18 |
Comparative Political Economy: The Struggle for the Good Life |
Chapter 14 |
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Nov 23 |
Chapters 18, 19, Steinmo: “Bucking the Trend?” Assignment 3 due |
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Nov 25 |
Why Are Some Countries Poor? The Politics of Development |
Chapters 15, 23 |
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Nov 30 |
Chapters 21, 22 Revisions to Assignment 2 due |
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Dec 2 |
Hearts and Minds: Political Culture, Ideology, and Good Government |
Chapter 12, Putnam: "E Pluribus Unum" |
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Dec 7 |
Chapter 13, Norris: “Sacred and Secular – Chapter 6” Assignment 4 due |
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Dec 9 |
FINAL EXAM |
None – Review Everything! |