POL S 555 SPR 2015
AH-2112
COMPARATIVE POLITICAL SYSTEMS
Professor Mikhail Alexseev
Office Hours: Tuesdays 1330-1530 and/or by appointment, NH-127
E-mail: alexseev@mail.sdsu.edu
Why do some states collapse while others endure? Why do democratic institutions take hold in
some countries but fail in others? Why may “ancient ethnic hatreds” produce war, or dissolve into
multicultural “melting pots”? Why is anti-migrant hostility sometimes stronger when the influx of
migrants is small rather than when it is large? What makes some states more prone to revolutions
than others? Why do some authoritarian regimes last longer than others without resorting to
repression?
These are examples of research questions in the field of comparative politics. They cover a
wide array of issues. Yet, in dealing with all of them, the central concern in this field of political
science remains the same: How does one compare states, societies, institutions, and political
behavior in such a way that lessons learned in one study could be reliably applied in other cases?
This means that comparative politics is more than a collection of descriptive information about
different political systems that somehow one can read about, absorb, and “compare” without
accounting for the rules of inference. Comparative politics is first and foremost about theory,
research design and methods—the logic of scientific inference. But what does it exactly mean to
study political phenomena “scientifically”? And what does it take to “make a case,” or sustain a
theory empirically in comparative political studies?
The purpose of this class is to introduce you to the “state of the art” in comparative research
through guided readings and projects. You will also gain hands-on experience through class
discussion, individual assignments, small-group tasks, and tests. Please be prepared to be
discerning, creative, skeptical, and imaginative.
Your specific objectives are to learn the following:
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Main stages in the development of Comparative Politics as a field of political science (structural
funcionalism, behavioralism, post-behavioralism)
Fundamental theoretical approaches to comparative politics (esp., rationalist, institutionalist,
constructivist)
Major substantive issues in comparative politics (state consolidation and failure; ethnic/race
relations; political institutions and behavior; democratization; security/economic/social/
environmental policy effects; norms and civil society; etc.)
Principles and measures for ranking political institutions across countries over time (consolidated
democracies vs. consolidated autocracies, European Union, post-communist states, Islamic states,
least-developed countries, etc.); Freedom House and Economist Intelligence Unit coding criteria
The logic, principles, and types of research design in comparative political studies, including:
o Formulation of research questions and selection of relevant cases/observations
o Characteristics of theoretical models that successfully explain social phenomena
o The basic principles of scientific inference including causality, bias, inefficiency, consistency,
multicollinear reasoning, endogeneity, and control
The advantages and disadvantages of major empirical research methods (case studies; interviews;
surveys; focus groups; aggregate and event databases; ethnographies; group experiments; etc.)
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Required Readings
I. BOOKS (ordered through the Aztec Bookstore or they can be obtained elsewhere):
Gary King, Robert Keohane, and Sidney Verba, Designing Social Inquiry: Scientific Inference in
Qualitative Research, Princeton, 1994
Ian Bremmer, The J Curve: A New Way to Understand Why Nations Rise and Fall Simon and Schuster,
2007.
Henry Hale, Patronal Politics: Eurasian Regime Dynamics in Comparative Perspective, Cambridge
University Press, 2014.
Randall Wood and Carmine DeLuca, Dictator's Handbook: A Practical Manual for the Aspiring Tyrant.
Gull Pond Books, 2012.
Eric McGlinchey. Chaos, Violence, Dynasty: Politics and Islam in Central Asia, Pittsburg University
Press, 2010.
Anna Politkovskaya, A Small Corner of Hell: Dispatches from Chechnya, Chicago, 2003.
Mikhail Alexseev, Immigration Phobia and the Security Dilemma: Russia, Europe, and the United
States, Cambridge University Press, 2006.
II. OTHER SOURCES:
◊
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All readings listed under Schedule of Readings and Activities under the weekly reading
assignments are required.
Evidence of regular reading on political developments in different parts of the world in at least
one of the following sources:
--The Economist
--The New York Times
--The Washington Post
--BBC World Service
Grade Components
Attendance
Class activities and presentations
Midterm assignment (a brief on political instability)
Midterm Analytic Review (Chechnya conflict)
Final course paper
10%
30%
10%
20%
30%
Class activities will include (but will not be limited to) lectures, question-and-answer sessions,
student presentations followed by discussions/debates, small-group/“task force” projects, and
miscellaneous small assignments. You are expected to attend all class meetings and participate in
class activities. Attendance score will be calculated as a percentage of class meetings you attended
(minus one for gratis absences);* participation score will be calculated as a percentage of
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completed/submitted class assignments—if the latter exceed the average in scope of the material
coverage, additional bonus points will be earned.
The brief and the analytic review are defined in the Class Meetings and Reading Schedule.
The final course paper topics will be presented and discussed in class as specified in the
Class Meetings and Reading Schedule. The principal focus will be on forecasting political
trajectories of select countries in a way that draws on most important theoretical and
substantive insights derived from course readings and class discussions.
*One absence is allowed without explanation at no loss of points; over one absence, absences do not earn credit,
even if excused; makeups allowable only under documented force majeur circumstances (by legal definition)
Grade Scales for Tests, Papers and Final Grade Assignment:
95-100 = A
73-76 = C
90-94 = A70-72 = C-
87-89 = B +
67-69 = D+
83-86 = B
63-66 = D
80-82 = B60-62 = D-
77-79 = C+
< 59 = F
For criteria satisfying the grade ranges see http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~digger/305/grades.html.
NOTE: Plagiarism (copying other people’s work without attribution and presenting it as your own) is unacceptable.
Engaging in plagiarism on any test will result in an automatic “F” grade for the course.
Blackboard at SDSU
You will use SDSU Blackboard to access announcements, the syllabus, readings, and assignments online; to
participate in discussion forums; and submit the final exam.
FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is
your responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in
the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as soon as
possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that accommodations based
upon disability cannot be provided until you have presented your instructor with an
accommodation letter from Student Disability Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.
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CLASS MEETINGS AND READING SCHEDULE
Except for the first day of class, your best bet is to do all your required readings prior to the class
meetings of the week for which they are assigned. Required readings are listed below under each
week’s topic. Please bring the required readings to class on the ways when they are assigned or
required by the syllabus.
Week 1
Jan 27
Introduction: Evolution of Comparative Politics in Political Science
Munck, “The Past and Present of Comparative Politics,” in Geraldo L. Munck and Richard Snyder,
Passion, Craft, and Method in Comparative Politics, The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2007
(Blackboard, Course Documents—hereafter BB).
Week 2
Feb 3
Comparative Classification of Political Systems: Freedom House
--Freedom House, Nations in Transit 2014
(https://freedomhouse.org/report/nations-transit/nations-transit-2014#.VML5XM3n9Lf)
Summaries
--Eurasia’s Rupture with Democracy: https://freedomhouse.org/report/nations-transit2014/nations-transit-2014-eurasias-rupture-democracy#.VML5is3n9Lc
--Charts and Graphs: https://freedomhouse.org/report/nations-transit-2014/nationstransit-2014-eurasias-rupture-democracy#.VML5is3n9Lc
--Methodology: https://freedomhouse.org/report/nations-transit-2014/nations-transit2014-methodology#.VML6FM3n9Lc
Country Reports:
--Russia (https://freedomhouse.org/report/nations-transit/2014/russia#.VML32s3n9Lc)
--Belarus (https://freedomhouse.org/report/nationstransit/2014/belarus#.VML4383n9Lc)
--Ukraine (https://freedomhouse.org/report/nationstransit/2014/ukraine#.VML5CM3n9Lc)
NOTE: You can download PDFs of these documents from the website. Bring all these documents (hard
copy or electronic format if you are using a laptop/PDA etc.) to class. [If the link malfunctions, Google
Freedom House, click on Nations in Transit, then, on the pulldown menu click 2013].
--CLASS EXERCISE
Week 3
Feb 10 Comparative Classification of Political Systems: Economist Intelligence Unit
-EIU, “Democracy Index 2014: Democracy and Its Discontents” (BB)
(In particular, pay close attention to the coding methods at the end of the report and
compare scores on Russia, Belarus and Ukraine with those of Freedom House)
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--Fareed Zakaria, “The Rise of Illiberal Democracy,” Foreign Affairs (Nov 1997)
(http://www.fareedzakaria.com/ARTICLES/other/democracy.html)
--CLASS EXERCISE
Week 4
Feb 17
Political In/Stability
Bremmer, J-Curve, Chs. 1, 7
CLASS PRESENTATIONS:
Presenters
The Far Left Side of the J Curve
Bremmer, Ch. 2
North Korea
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Cuba
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
The Slide Toward Instability
Bremmer, Ch. 3
Iran
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Saudi Arabia
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Russia
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
The Depths of the J Curve
Bremmer, Ch. 4.
Yugoslavia
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
The Right Side of the Curve
Bremmer, Ch. 5
Turkey
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
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Israel
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
India
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Case Dilemma
Bremmer, Ch. 6:
China
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Week 5
Feb 24
MIDTERM ASSIGNMENT: Political Stability Case Study: Ukraine
--BEFORE CLASS: Write a 3-page brief (not exceeding 1,200 words) on how the J-Curve
theory applies to current developments in Ukraine. On an additional sheet draw the J-Curve for
Ukraine. You will make a quick (2-min) presentation of the graph in class.
***ALL BRIEFS AND GRAPHS ARE DUE IN HARD COPY AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS***
(Grade deductions apply for submissions 10 min. late or more).
Week 6
Mar 3
Regime Cycles: Patronal Politics in Eurasia
---Henry Hale, Patronal Politics
1. Introduction [EVERYONE]
CLASS PRESENTATIONS:
Presenters
-2. Patronal politics and the great power of expectations________________________________________________
-3. A patronal-politics reinterpretation of Eurasian history______________________________________________
-4. Constitutions, elections, and regime dynamics
________________________________________________
-5. The emergence of networks and constitutions
________________________________________________
-6. The building of Eurasia's great power pyramids
________________________________________________
-7. Revolutions and other presidential ousters
________________________________________________
-8. Non-revolution in post-Soviet presidential systems _______________________________________________
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-9. After revolution
________________________________________________
-10. Patronal parliamentarism
________________________________________________
-11. Explaining post-Soviet regime dynamics
________________________________________________
-12. Patronal politics in global comparative perspective.________________________________________________
***SEARCH THE WEB AND FIND THREE IMAGES THAT YOU BELIEVE ILLUSTRATE THE
CONTENT OF THE CHAPTER YOU ARE PRESENTING PARTICULARLY WELL. PRESENT IN CLASS
THE IMAGES AND EXPLAIN WHY THEY ARE GOOD ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE CHAPTER.***
Week 7
Mar 10
Authoritarian Durability and Democratization
--Wood and DeLuca, Dictator's Handbook [EVERYONE]
SUMMARY ASSIGNMENT
***Book summaries (max. 2 pages, under 800 words) due in hard copy at the beginning of class.
KEY: List what you think are the three most effective methods/techniques that dictators could use
to stay in power. Discuss why these three and not at least two other methods discussed in the book.
CLASS EXERCISE [Bring the readings to class. Before class, figure out the piece’s main argument):
WORK GROUP 1:
--Jay Ulfelder, “Contentious Collective Action and the Breakdown of Authoritarian
Regimes,” International Political Science Review 26 (2005): 311-334
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
WORK GROUP 2:
--Jennifer Gandhi and Adam Przeworski, “Authoritarian Institutions and the Survival of
Autocrats,” Comparative Political Studies 40 (2007): 1279-1301.
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
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WORK GROUP 3:
--Milan W. Svolik, “Power Sharing and Leadership Dynamics in Authoritarian
Regimes,” American Journal of Political Science 53 (2009): 477-494 (BLACKBOARD,
Course Documents)
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Week 8
Mar 17
Models of Intra-State Violence: Grievances, Opportunity and Security Dilemmas
Laitin and Fearon, “Ethnicity, Insurgency, and Civil War,” American Political Science
Review (February 2003): 75-91 (PROQUEST)
Jack Goldstone, Robert Bates, Ted Robert Gurr et al., “A Global Forecasting Model of
Political Instability,” Paper, American Political Science Association, Annual Meeting
2005 (BLACKBOARD)
--Mikhail Alexseev, “Back to Hell: Civilian-Military ‘Audience Costs’ and Russia’s
Wars in Chechnya,” Chapter 4 in Stephen L. Webber and Jennifer G. Mathers, eds., The
Military and Society in Post-Soviet Russia (Manchester University Press, 2005). (BB)
Week 9
Mar 24
RESEARCH WEEK--MIDTERM ANALYTIC REVIEW: Civil Wars and Insurgency:
Violent Conflict in Chechnya in Comparative Perspective
(USE CLASS TIME TO WRITE THE REVIEW)
--Politkovskaya, A Small Corner of Hell
REVIEW QUESTION: WHAT WOULD POLITKOVSKAYA SAY—BASED ON HER BOOK—ABOUT
EXPLANATIONS OF CIVIL WAR REVIEWED IN THE READINGS OF WEEK 8? WITH WHICH EXPLANATIONS
WOULD SHE AGREE THE MOST? WITH WHICH WOULD SHE DISAGREE THE MOST? WHY?
(up to 4 pages (1,600 words max.)
***ANALYTIC REVIEW DUE MAR 24 by 1900 ON BLACKBOARD->AssignmentsTurnitin Assignment
-BBC Ukraine Conflict Timeline: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26248275
-RFE/RL Ukraine News: http://www.rferl.org/section/ukraine/164.html
Week 10
Mar 31
SPRING BREAK, NO CLASS MEETING
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Week 11
Apr 7
Islam, the State and Civil Society
--McGlinchey, Chaos, Violence, Dynasty
CLASS EXERCISE
WORK GROUP 1:
Kazakhstan
______________________________________
______________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
WORK GROUP 2:
Uzbekistan
______________________________________
______________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
WORK GROUP 3:
Kyrgyzstan
______________________________________
______________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Week 12
Apr 14
Principles of Comparative Inquiry: Research Questions and Contribution to Knowledge
King, Keohane, and Verba (KKV), Ch. 1 (pp. 3-32)
 A practicum in paradoxes
Week 13
Apr 21
Causality, Research Designs, and Models
KKV, pp. 34-69, 99-124, 128-149, 168-195, 199-207.
--Charles A. Lave and James G. March, An Introduction to Models in the Social Sciences,
Harper & Row, 1975, pp. 10-48 (BB)
FINAL PAPER TOPICS PRESENTED & DISCUSSED
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Week 14
Apr 28
Illustrative Case: Migration, Ethnic Relations, and Security
Alexseev, Immigration Phobia, Chs. 1-3
--CLASS EXERCISE:
WORK GROUP 1
Russia ______________________________________
______________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
WORK GROUP 2
EU
______________________________________
______________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
WORK GROUP 3
USA
______________________________________
______________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Week 15
May 5
Review and Synthesis
***Short—2-3 min.--presentations on final paper topics***
FINAL PAPER 1-Page OUTLINES DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS
--Przeworski, A. and Salomon, F. “The Art of Writing Proposals: Some Candid
Suggestions for Applicants to Social Science Research Council Competitions”
(http://fellowships.ssrc.org/art_of_writing_proposals/)
MAY 12 FINAL COURSE PAPERS DUE @ 2100 on Blackboard
(Assignments, Turnitin).
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