INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS
POLC 2300- 01
MWF 1:00-1:50
Spring 2015
Norman Mayer 106
Professor: M. Casey Kane Love
Email: mkane1@tulane.edu
Phone: 862-8315
Office Hours: Tuesday, 12:00-3:00
Office/Mailbox: Norman Mayer 307
Course Description
Comparative politics is a method of analysis that evaluates similarities and differences
among political systems in order to develop general conclusions about political phenomena. The
study of politics beyond U.S. borders helps place our own political system into perspective by
highlighting alternatives to our own system and challenging the assumption that there is only one
correct way to organize political life.
The objective of this course is to look at the “big picture” of global political trends as well
as the intricacies of specific case studies. The first half of this course will provide students with a
broad yet comprehensive introduction to some of the major theories and concepts of comparative
politics. In the second half, we will utilize a case study approach to examine political processes in a
sample of western and non-western countries. Some of the primary questions we will seek to
answer include: Why are some countries democratic while others are not? What are the causes
of regime change? What are the consequences of different types of political and economic
organization? Are politics a function of cultural values or economic development? Is one type of
political system superior to another? There is no one right answer to these questions! My goal is
that students be able to intelligibly participate in such debates.
Course Objectives and Goals
This course will provide students with the knowledge base and theoretical and empirical
tools necessary to do the following:
 distinguish comparative politics from international relations,
 understand the major theoretical approaches in the subfield of comparative politics,
 understand key concepts in comparative politics including: the state, political parties,
political and economic ideologies, political culture, democracy,
 compare and contrast selected case studies of democratic, authoritarian, and semiauthoritarian governments,
 compare and contrast different political economic systems and identify the main causes of
differing of economic outcomes,
 analyze current events using theories and approaches relevant to the subfield, and
 comparatively evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their own political system.
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Learning Outcomes and Methods of Assessment:
LEARNING OUTCOME
Students should have an understanding of the fundamentals of
comparative politics.
Students should be able to demonstrate research skills and
utilize the proper methodologies necessary to write a research
paper in the discipline of political science.
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Exams and country analysis
paper
Country analysis paper
Required Course Texts
J. Tyler Dickovick and Jonathan Eastwood, eds. Current Debates in Comparative Politics. Oxford
University Press, 2015.
Joseph Klesner, Comparative Politics: An Introduction. McGraw Hill, 2014
A note about assigned readings listed on the Course Calendar:
 The Dickovick and Eastwood text is abbreviated as “D&E” on the course calendar.
 Assigned readings that don’t come from required texts may be accessed on blackboard
under Course Documents.
 Although readings are not technically due until the day they will be discussed (marked as
“Discussion Day” on syllabus), it is recommended that you keep up with the readings as the
material is lectured upon.
 You do not need to bring the Klesner text to class. However, on discussion days I would
suggest bringing the Dickovick and Eastwood text and assigned articles from blackboard.
 E-versions of readings may not be accessed in the classroom. (See Classroom Tech Policy.)
Course Requirements
Class Participation and Attendance (10%)
Attendance is required and will be taken daily. Excessive absences will be reported to your
dean, will be detrimental to your grade, and can result in your withdrawal from the course with a
failing grade. Arriving late is extremely distracting both to your professor and classmates.
Excessive tardiness will adversely affect your participation grade.
Although this class is primarily lecture-based, your participation in class discussions is
expected. Students are required to read all of the assigned readings and be prepared to speak
about the main arguments/points in the readings. A significant portion of your grade will be
based on your participation in class discussions and demonstrated familiarity with the readings.
You should feel free to express your opinions and make comments during class discussions, but
students who score highly in this realm are able to effectively reference information presented in
the readings. If you come to class every day but never participate in class discussions, you will
receive a “C” for your participation grade.
Discussion Questions (5%)
In order to ensure that students give adequate thought to the readings and to stimulate
class discussion, students will be required to post discussion questions on the readings on the
blackboard website. To receive full credit for this assignment, you must post one question on to
Blackboard in at least five of the seven discussion forums. Questions should include a
summarization or direct quotation of one of the main arguments from at least one of the assigned
readings. I will select a few of these questions to serve as the basis for class discussion. You may
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still receive full credit even if your question is not addressed in class. Questions are due by 9:00am
on discussion days (denoted as such on the course calendar). You will only receive credit for one
question per discussion day, although you may post as many questions as you like. Late postings
will not be given credit. Since you are allowed to miss two postings without penalty, there will be
no makeup opportunities for this assignment, even in the case of illness or travel.
Country News Analysis (25%)
In this 6-7 page paper, students will analyze economic or political conditions in a
country of their choosing using a concept, theme, or theory presented in the course. For example,
you might analyze state capacity in Afghanistan, the backsliding of democracy in Venezuela, or
Vietnam’s transition to a market-based economy. You will then analyze two current events as
they relate to your previous discussion. You will be required to present your findings to the rest of
the class in a five-minute power point presentation. Detailed guidelines for this assignment will be
distributed and discussed in class.
Due dates for this assignment depend on the country you choose: advanced industrialized
democracies—March 13, developing countries—March 25, communist/post-communist
countries—April 17, Middle Eastern and Islamic countries—April 24.
Midterm (30%) and Final (30%) Exams
The format of these exams will be discussed in class. Exam questions will be drawn both
from the readings and lectures. Makeup exams will not be given. Make travel plans accordingly.
Policy on Technology in the Classroom
1.) This classroom is a tech-free zone. Laptops are not permitted unless you have an
accommodation from ODS. If you want to refer to assigned readings during class
discussions, bring hard copies of articles to class or notes that you’ve taken on assigned
readings.
2.) Students should not use text or use cell phones in class. Violations of this rule will result in
a deduction in your participation grade for each observed incident.
Additional Course Policies
1.) The topics addressed in this course may be controversial. My goal is to create an
atmosphere characterized by mutual respect in which students feel comfortable speaking
their views, even if other members of the classroom community fundamentally reject
those views. Your grade will not be adversely affected by opinions expressed verbally or in
written assignments, even if I disagree with them.
2.) Grades are non-negotiable. They will be changed only in the event of an arithmetical error.
I am always available to discuss your performance and answer questions, but I will not
haggle over an assigned grade.
3.) Hard copies of papers are required. They should not be faxed or emailed. Late papers will
be accepted, but will penalized by one letter grade per class period, unless accompanied by
correspondence from the NTC dean.
4.) For all written assignments, you will be graded not only on the quality of your argument,
but also on how well your paper is written. If you feel that you are not a strong writer,
please make an appointment to meet with a writing tutor at Tulane’s Academic Success
Center (success@tulane.edu). I am also available to look over rough drafts of papers
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during my office hours to offer advice on content-related issues. I will not review drafts of
papers that are emailed. You must see me in person with paper in hand during office
hours.
5.) Please familiarize yourself with the Tulane Honor Code
(http://tulane.edu/college/code.cfm). Violations of the honor code include, but are not
limited to: cheating on exams, plagiarism (i.e. “the unauthorized use or close imitation of
the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own
original work”), unauthorized collaboration, and multiple submissions (submitting the same
paper for more than one course). Violations of the honor code will be reported to the
dean.
6.) Tulane is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with
disabilities. Students who need accommodations must be registered with the Office of
Disability Services and follow their procedures for obtaining assistance. See:
http://tulane.edu/studentaffairs/disability/index.cfm
7.) This course has its own facebook page called Comparative Politics.
(https://www.facebook.com/pages/Comparative-Politics/731956706863318) Students are
highly encouraged to “like” the page, read its content, and contribute to its content. You
should email relevant articles etc. to Prof. Love.
Grade Scale
Numeric
Letter
Qualitative interpretation
Value*
Grade
98-100
A+
Mind-blowingly good**
93-97
A
Exceptionally good
90-92
AReally, really good
87-89
B+
Very good
83-86
B
Good
80-82
BOk
77-79
C+
Passable
73-86
C
Subpar
70-72
C67-69
D+
Really bad. We need to talk.
63-67
D
60-62
D0-59
F
Obvious
* Scores calculated to include .5 will be rounded up. For example, an 89.5 will be rounded up to
an A-.
** I rarely, if ever, assign a grade of A+. Students who complete the discussion question
assignment in full will receive an A, not an A+. Students are never assigned a grade of A+ on
participation.
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DATE
Mon. Jan. 12
Wed. Jan. 14
Fri. Jan. 16
Mon. Jan. 19
Wed. Jan. 21
Fri. Jan. 23
Mon. Jan. 26
Wed. Jan. 28
Fri. Jan. 30
Mon. Feb. 2
Wed. Feb. 4
Fri. Feb. 6
Mon. Feb. 9
TOPIC
Course Calendar (Subject to Change)
ASSIGNMENT
INTRODUCTION TO COURSE AND COMPARATIVE POLITICS
Introductions and
Distribution of Syllabi
Approaches to
 Klesner, Ch. 1
Comparative Politics
 Acemoglu and Robinson, “Uncultured: Mitt Romney
Doesn’t Know Much about Economic History” (D&E pg. 37)
 Kenny, “Culture Matters—Just Not as Much as Romney
Thinks” (D&E pg. 40)
KEY CONCEPTS IN COMPARATIVE POLITICS
States and Nations
 Klesner, Ch. 3 and 4
MLK Holiday
 “Where Life Is Cheap and Talk is Loose” (D&E pg. 19)
States and Nations
 Walt, “What the Olympics Can Teach Us about Nationalism”
(D&E pg. 147)
 Fund for Peace Fragile States Index 2014
http://ffp.statesindex.org/rankings-2014 (familiarize yourself
with its indicators of state failure—click indicators link in
upper right hand corner box)
Political Parties and
 Klesner, pgs. 164-168
Electoral Systems
 Meisburger, “Getting Majoritarianism Right (D&E pg. 100)
 Reynolds and Carey, “Getting Elections Wrong” (D&E pg.
106)
 Nivola, “In Defense of Partisan Politics” (D&E pg. 125)
Political Ideologies
 Klesner, Ch. 10
 “Left and Right” infographic (blackboard)
Political Culture
 Klesner, Ch. 9
 “Living with a Superpower” (blackboard)
Discussion Day
Discussion Questions Due
POLITICAL REGIMES and REGIME CHANGE
Democracy in the
 “Economist Intelligence Unit’s Index of Democracy 2013,”
World
excerpts (blackboard) ****Will be discussed in class on 2/2
What is Democracy?
 Klesner, Ch. 5, 7
Democratic Transition,  Dahl, “What Political Institutions Does Large-Scale
Consolidation, and
Democracy Require?” (blackboard)
Breakdown
 Carothers, “Democracy’s Sobering State” (blackboard)
 Inglehart and Welzel, “How Development Leads to
Democracy” (blackboard)
 Acemoglu, “Development won’t Ensure Democracy in
Turkey” (D&E pg. 54)
Authoritarian Regimes  Zakaria, “A Conversation with Lee Kuan Yew” (D&E pg. 59)
 Muñoz, “In the Shadow of Chavez” (D&E pg. 70)
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Wed. Feb. 11
Fri. Feb. 13
Mon. Feb. 16
Wed. Feb. 18
Fri., Feb. 20
Mon. Feb. 23
Wed. Feb. 25
Fri., Feb. 27
Revolution and Regime
Change
Film Screening
MARDI GRAS Break
Discussion Day
Political Economic
Systems
Political Economic
Systems
The Rise of
International
Capitalism
Discussion Day
Mardi Gras Made in China
Discussion Questions Due
POLITICAL ECONOMY
 Klesner, Ch. 11
 “Rethinking the Welfare State: Asia’s Next Revolution”
(D&E pg. 28)
 “Northern Lights” (D&E pg. 30)
 Fukuyama, “The Future of History: Can Liberal Democracy
Survive the Decline of the Middle Class?” (D&E pg. 175)
 Adler, “A Job on the Line” (blackboard)
Discussion Questions Due
ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL DEMOCRACIES
Mon. March 2 Constitutional
 Klesner, Ch. 6
Frameworks of
 Allen, “The Case for a Multi-Party U.S. Parliament?”
Democracy
(blackboard)
 Abadi, “Parliamentary Funk” (D&E pg. 97)
Wed. Mar. 4
MIDTERM
**note: Midterm will cover material through Feb. 27 only
Fri. Mar. 6
Japan
 Glosserman, “Japan: From Muddle to Model” (blackboard)
Mon., Mar. 9
France
 Klesner, Ch. 14
 Tiersky, “France’s Struggle to Compete” (blackboard)
 Cohen, “Lessons from the Nationalization Nation”
(blackboard)
Wed., Mar. 11 Discussion Day
Discussion Questions Due
Fri., Mar. 13
Student presentations Country News Analysis Due
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Mon., Mar. 16 Legacies of Imperialism  Green and Luerhmann, “Colonialism: Gold, God, Glory;” and
“Independence or In Dependence” (as one pdf on blackboard)
Wed. Mar. 18 Nigeria
 Klesner, Ch. 19 (pgs. 493-513 only)
 Meagher, “The Jobs Crisis Behind Nigeria’s Unrest”
(blackboard)
 Lund and Wamelen, “Lions on the Move” (D&E pg. 42)
Fri. Mar. 20
Mexico
 Klesner, Ch. 18 (pgs.451-472 only)
 O’Neil, “Mexico Makes It” (D&E pg. 22)
 Flores-Macías, “Mexico’s 2012 Elections” (blackboard)
Mon., Mar. 23 Discussion Day
Discussion Questions Due
Wed., Mar. 25 Student Presentations Country News Analysis Due
Fri., Mar. 27
Student Presentations
Mon. Mar. 30 Spring Break
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Wed. Apr. 1
Fri. April 3
Mon. April 6
Wed., Apr. 8
Fri. Apr. 10
Mon. Apr. 13
Wed. Apr. 15
Fri. Apr. 17
Spring Break
Spring Break
Spring Break
POST-COMMUNIST TRANSITIONS
Russia
 Klesner, Ch. 16
 Tresiman, “Can Putin Keep His Grip on Power?” (blackboard)
 Shevtosa, “The Next Russian Revolution” (blackboard)
 Dimitrov, “The Resilient Authoritarians” (blackboard)
China
 Klesner, Ch. 17
China
 Dickson, “No ‘Jasmine’ for China” (blackboard)
 Gilley, “Could China Be the Next Wave” (blackboard)
 Fallows, “Arab Sprig, Chinese Winter” (D&E pg. 135)
Discussion Day
Discussion Questions Due
Student Presentations Country News Analysis Due
POLITICS OF ISLAM: PROSPECTS FOR DEMOCRACY IN MENA COUNTRIES
Mon., Apr. 20 Iran
 Maloney, “Why Rhouhani Won…” (D&E pg. 113)
 Rigi, “Iran at the Crossroads of Democracy and
Dictatorship”—excerpt only (blackboard)
Wed., Apr. 22 The Arab Spring
 Diamond, “Why are There No Arab Democracies?”
(blackboard)
 Norton, “Arab Revolts Upend Old Assumptions”
(blackboard)
 Ajami, “The Arab Spring at One” (D&E pg. 48)
 Inglehart and Norris, “The True Clash of Civilizations”
(blackboard)
Fri. Apr. 24
Students Presentations Country News Analysis Due
Mon., Apr. 27 Discussion Day
Discussion Questions Due
FINAL EXAM: Friday, May 1, 1:00-4:00
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