Class Schedule for Fall 2009

As a field, comparative politics break down various aspects of that core question. For example, how is it that a handful of rich countries with 20% of the world's population produce 75% of its manufactured goods, consume more than half the planet's total energy resources and generate two-thirds of the world's air and water pollution? Why do some people benefit from regular elections and take respect for human rights almost for granted while others fear oppressive security forces or the uncertainty that the "rules of the game" for expressing your opinions, doing business, or raising your family will only last until the next military takeover? Why, in some times and places, do people of different heritage, mother-tongue, religion or skin color manage to live, work and run governments together as if they were all part of one humanity? Why in other times and places do ethnicity, race, culture or identity become the basis for persecution, civil unrest or genocide?

This class poses these questions across a wide range of countries to introduce students to how politics works and changes around the world. We will address a wide range of answers from many different theoretical perspectives and methods.