LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS
Political Science 2383, Section 10
Fall 2012
COURSE INFORMATION
CRN 33854
Time: T and R 12:45-2:00
Location: 1957 E St., Room 212
INSTRUCTOR
Prof. Cynthia McClintock
Office: Monroe 407
Tel: (202) 994-6589
E-mail : mcclin@gwu.edu
Office hours : W 2 :30-4:45 (and by appointment)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In 1978, a third “democratic wave” began in Latin America. Now, almost all countries in the region
are considered electoral democracies. But, the quality of democracy has been uneven. Democracy
continues to be challenged by the long-standing problems of poverty, inequality, and corruption and
also by the recent problem of organized crime.
In this course, we explore the trajectory of democratization in the region. Why has Latin America
democratized—and why does democracy remains precarious in many countries? We explore four
types of explanations: 1) political culture and history 2) economic development 3) political
institutions and 4) international context. We focus in particular on the two most salient theoretical
perspectives: modernization theory and dependency theory.
The second part of the course emphasizes democracy and the recent resurgence of the left in Latin
America. Why has Latin America moved to the left? How has the rise of the left affected
democracy in Latin America? Are conventional measurements of the quality of democracy valid, or
are they biased for or against the left? Is the classification of some left governments as
“contestatory” and others as “moderate” helpful?
In the final section of the course, we examine democracies amid intense political violence. We
consider Colombia, threatened by drug gangs and insurgency, and Mexico, threatened by drug gangs
and organized crime. We consider a spectrum of recommendations for the reduction of violence.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
As a result of completing this course, students will increase their ability to:
1. Think critically about issues in Latin American politics
2. Integrate quantitative data and theoretical explanations into cogent arguments. Cogent
arguments require sound logic, sound evidence, and recognition of alternative perspectives.
3. Understand key trends and policy issues in Latin American politics
4. And will enhance their factual knowledge about Latin American politics
2
GRADE COMPUTATION
1. Quiz (15%)
2. Critical essay (20%) (See below for guidelines.)
3. Research paper (25%) (See below for guidelines.)
4. Final exam (40%) In accord with GWU policy, the final exam will be on the officially scheduled
date, not during the last week of the semester.
Extra Credit
Students who attend regularly and make positive contributions to class discussion and/or discussions
on Blackboard will receive an additional 1 to 8 points on their final grade for the course. Positive
contributions show knowledge of readings for the course and hone in on key questions relevant to the
class session.
GUIDELINES: CRITICAL ESSAY
Each student will submit to the professor a hard copy of the essay, which is to be a maximum of 900
words or 3 pages—excluding bibliography. Excessive length will be penalized. This essay is a
critical analysis of either 1) political culture theory 2) modernization theory or 3) dependency theory.
This essay should include 1) survey data about public opinion in one or more Latin American
countries AND/OR 2) economic data about economic growth, per capita income, foreign direct
investment, economic inequality, and/or poverty in one or more Latin American countries. The
essay is due in class on Oct. 4 and should respond to this question:
Political culture theory OR modernization theory OR dependency theory is valid with respect to
democratization in some respects AND/OR some [specify] Latin American countries, but invalid in
other respects AND/OR in other [specify] countries.
GUIDELINES: RESEARCH PAPER
Each student will submit to the professor a hard copy of the paper, which is to be a maximum of
1,700 words or 5 pages, excluding bibliography, which responds to one of the questions under a class
heading in the syllabus. Excessive length will be penalized. The student is to address the question
as specifically as possible; detailed historical background is not to be provided. The “/” mark in the
questions indicates that students can choose either or both options. If a student would like to modify
the question, s/he should consult the professor. To make a cogent analytical argument, the paper
should include empirical data (survey data, economic data, etc). The paper is to be carefully
researched and documented; at least 30% of cited works should be required or recommended
readings from PSC 2383. Not only direct quotes but also paraphrased text and ideas taken from a
source must be cited. Also, statistics that may vary by source should be cited. For assistance with
citation, visit the Writing Center at http://www.gwu.edu/~gwriter. The deadline for students who
do not present their paper in the relevant class is December 6.
There is also the opportunity for five extra points for the paper if the student:
(If a paper spans two dates, consult the professor on which of the two is “the relevant class.”)
1) E-mails the professor between noon and 6:00 pm the day before the relevant class to let the
professor know that he/she will be presenting his/her paper in the class.
2) Posts his/ her paper on “Discussions” in Blackboard by noon the day before the class.
3) Summarizes his/her paper before the class for a total of 3 minutes and responds to questions
on the topic. Amount of time for the student’s response to questions will be at the
professor’s discretion.
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CLASS POLICIES
Paper submission: All written work must be given to the professor in hard copy and must be typed
double-spaced, using a 12-point font and one inch margins and include proper citations. If for any
reason you do not personally hand your paper in to the professor, you must both email it to her and
put a hard copy in her box in the PSC department office (Monroe 440). It is your responsibility to
check that the professor received it.
Late work: 3 points will be subtracted from a grade for the first hour that a paper is late and, after one
day, an additional 3 points will be subtracted for each day that a paper is late.
Religious holidays: Please notify the professor if you must be absent due to a religious holiday.
Power points and hard-copy handouts: Will not be available on Blackboard. It is hoped that this
policy will provide an incentive for class attendance.
Computer use: The professor understands that computers are helpful for taking notes and also that
they can be used for other purposes. Please be respectful of lecturers and classmates and use
computers for pedagogical purposes.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Not only direct quotes but also paraphrased text and ideas taken from a source must be cited.
Academic honesty policies (http://www.gwu.edu/~ntegrity/code.html) will be strictly enforced.
Please visit the GWU Writing Center (http://www.gwu.edu/~gwriter) for further assistance.
SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Any student who due to a disability may need an accommodation should contact Disability Support
Services at 202 994-8250. Visit http://gwired.gwu.edu/dss/ for information. For assistance with
personal, career, or study-skills problems, contact the University Counseling Center at 202 994-5300,
available 24/7 or visit http://gwired.gwu.edu/counsel/CounselingServices/AcademicSupportServices.
TEXTS
Beyond the Wiarda and Kline textbook, brief overviews of individual countries are available on-line
at The Economist country briefings (www.economist.com/countries/) and at www.state.gov.
Reid, M., Forgotten Continent: The Battle for Latin America’s Soul. F1414.3 .R35 2007
Weyland, K., Madrid, R.L., & Hunter, W. (eds.), Leftist Governments in Latin America: Successes
and Shortcomings. (W, M, & H in syllabus). JL960 .L43 2010
Wiarda, H.J. & Kline, F. (eds.) Latin American Politics and Development. 7th ed. (W & K in
syllabus). F1410 .L39 2011.
ADDITIONAL READINGS
Required book chapters and articles are available on "Electronic Reserves" on Blackboard.
Recommended materials that are also on “Electronic Reserves” are indicated by the symbol BB.
Other recommended articles are available through "e-journal title finder" at the Aladin home page of
Gelman. Journal titles are abbreviated: JD=Journal of Democracy; FP=Foreign Policy, FA=Foreign
Affairs; LAPS=Latin American Politics and Society; JLAS=Journal of Latin American Studies;
World Politics=WP; CP=Comparative Politics; CPS= Comparative Political Studies.
Recommended books are available at the Reserve Desk in Gelman.
4
Also, it is required that students be up-to-date on events and issues. Valuable sources include The
New York Times (NYT), The Washington Post (Wash. Post), and The Economist; see also the Latin
American Weekly Report (LAWR) and Latin American Regional Report (LARR). All are available
through Gelman Library e-journals. Recommended websites are: 1) right, center-right: hacer.org;
aei.org 2) center: csis.org, thedialogue.org, crisisgroup.org 3) center-left, left: ciponline.org,
wola.org, lawg.org, coha.org, cepr.net.
SCHEDULE
AUG. 28
INTRODUCTION: DEMOCRACY IN LATIN AMERICA
W & K, pp. 3-8, 15-16 and Ch. 5.
Reid, pp. 120-123 and 270-278.
PART ONE: EXPLAINING DEMOCRATIZATION IN LATIN AMERICA
AUG. 30
THEORIES FOR THE EBBS AND FLOWS: HISTORY AND POLITICAL
CULTURE
W and K, pp. 12-15 and Chs. 2 & 3.
Reid, pp. 27-29, 41-44, 52-66, 228-232, 310-315.
Arias, O., “Culture Matters,” FA (Jan.-Feb. 2011), pp. 2-6.
SEP. 4-6
THEORIES FOR THE EBBS AND FLOWS: MODERNIZATION THEORY
AND DEPENDENCY THEORY
W & K, pp. 8-11 and 69-72.
Reid, pp. 30-40, 45-51, Ch. 6, 216-220, 226-228 (modernization & dependency)
Reid, pp. 115-118, 296-300 & Ch. 4 (international context).
Klaren, P.F. and Bossert, T.J., Promise of Development: Theories of Change in Latin
America, pp. 37-38, 89-99, and 109-123.
Close, D., Latin American Politics: An Introduction, Ch. 6.
“Thirty years of the Inter-American Dialogue: 1982-2012.”
Recommended:
Ross, M.L., “Does Oil Hinder Democracy?” World Politics 53 (April 2001), pp. 325-361.
Hakim, P., “The Incredibly Shrinking Vision: US Policy in Latin America,” Política Exterior, July 5,
2012, pp. 1-6.
“The latinobarómetro poll,” The Economist December 4, 2010, p. 51 and October 29, 2011, p. 48 and
Table 8 (in Spanish) from the 2011 report.
McClintock, C., Peasant Cooperatives and Political Change in Peru, Ch. 3. HD1491.P4 M33
Przeworski, et. al., "What Makes Democracies Endure?" JD (Jan. 1996), pp. 39-55. BB
"Catholic Devotion, and Doubts," NYT, May 10, 2005, p. A21.
McClintock, C., “Lipset’s Legacy,” JD (April 2005), pp. 163-166.
Economic and social data are available at http://databank.worldbank.org/data/home.aspx.
Political-institutional data are available in J. Mark Payne, et. al., Democracies in Development: Politics
and Reform in Latin America 2nd ed. JL966 .D453 2007
5
SEP. 11-13
APPLYING THE THEORIES: A DEMOCRATIC STAR [COSTA RICA] AND
A DEMOCRATIC LAGGARD [HAITI]
RESEARCH PAPER: THE BEST EXPLANATION FOR DEMOCRATIC
SUCCESS IN COSTA RICA/DEMOCRTIC FAILURES IN HAITI IS POLITICAL
CULTURE/MODERNIZATION THEORY/DEPENDENCY THEORY (CONSULT
WITH THE PROFESSOR ABOUT OVERLAP WITH YOUR CRITICAL ESSAY IF YOU WOULD
LIKE TO WRITE THIS RESEARCH PAPER)
Costa Rica:
W & K, Ch. 18.
Reid, pp. 272-273.
Bowman, K.S., "New Scholarship on Costa Rica Exceptionalism," Journal of InterAmerican Studies and World Affairs (Summer 1999), pp. 123-130.
“Chinchilla wins in the first round,” LARR February 2010, pp. 1-2.
“Corruption Allegations Snowball,” LARR June 2012, p. 14.
Recommended:
Lehoucq, F., "Costa Rica: Paradise in Doubt," JD (July 2005), pp. 140-154. BB
Bowman, K., Militarization, Democracy, and Development, Ch. 4 & pp. 235-242. HC130.D4B68 2002
Haiti:
Reid, p. 55.
W & K, Ch. 25.
“In Quake’s Wake, Haiti Faces Leadership Void,” NYT, 2/1/10, p. A 5.
“Haiti’s earthquake: Frustration sets in,” The Economist 7/31/10, pp. 26-27.
Wiarda, H.J., “Haiti as a Hopeless Case,” Issues in Foreign Policy, Comparative
Politics, and International Affairs (August 2010).
Hochschild, A., “Tragic Island,” NYT Book Review (Jan. 1, 2012), pp. 1 and 8.
“Rebuilding Haiti: Open for Business,” The Economist Jan. 7, 2012, p. 32.
“Haiti’s New President,” The Economist Aug. 6, 2011, p. 31.
“In Haiti, emerging signs of progress,” Wash. Post Jan. 12, 2012, pp. A1 and A11.
Recommended:
Erikson, D.P., “Haiti’s Political Outlook,” in Lowenthal, et. al., The Obama Administration and the
Americas, pp. 96-108. BB
SEP. 18
APPLYING THE THEORIES: A DEMOCRATIC ROLLER COASTER
[PERU]
RESEARCH PAPER: 1) THE GARCÍA GOVERNMENT AND/OR THE
HUMALA GOVERNMENT HAVE/HAVE NOT BEEN OVERCOMING
DEPENDENCY ON MINERAL WEALTH AND THE RESOURCE CURSE OR 2)
THE WEAKNESS OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN PERU HAS/HAS NOT BEEN A
SERIOUS CHALLENGE TO THE COUNTRY’S DEMOCRACY
Reid, pp. 22-23, 75-76, 212-217.
W & K, Ch. 10.
6
Levitsky, S., “Peru’s 2011 Elections: A Surprising Left Turn,” JD (October 2011),
pp. 84-94.
Zibechi, R., “Latin America: A New Cycle of Social Struggles,” NACLA Report on
the Americas (Summer 2012), pp. 37-49.
“Peru: Humala’s Pending Social Agenda,” Latin American Andean Group Report
(July 2012), pp. 9-11.
“Mining in Peru: Dashed Expectations,” The Economist June 23, 2012, p. 42.
Recommended:
McClintock, C., “An Unlikely Comeback in Peru,” JD (October 2006), pp. 95-109.
Cameron, M.A., “Peru: The Left Turn That Wasn’t,” in Levistky, S. & Roberts, K.M.,The Resurgence
of the Latin American Left, Ch. 16.
SEP. 20
A KEY POLICY ISSUE: ORGANIZED CRIME IN MEXICO
RESEARCH PAPER: A TOPIC IS AVAILABLE FOR THE NOV. CLASS.
Reid, pp. 246-254.
Olson, E., “Considering New Strategies for Confronting Organized Crime in
Mexico,” March 2012, WWICS Mexico Institute.
Selee, A., Shirk, D., and Olson, E., “5 Myths about Mexico’s Drug War,” Wash. Post
3/28/10 pp. B3 and ff.
Ungar, M., “Inequality and Citizen Security in Latin America,” LASA Forum
(spring/summer 2009), pp. 26-29.
“America’s Safer Streets,” The Economist 8/25/12 pp. 21-22.
Recommended:
Castañeda, J., “What’s Spanish for Quagmire?” FP (July-Aug. 2010), pp. 76-81.
DeShazo, P., “Policing and Security in Latin America,” CSIS Policy Papers on the Americas, Vol.
XXVI, 1 (May 2005) BB
SEP. 25
APPLYING THE THEORIES: THE COLLAPSE OF A PARTYARCHY AND
RISE OF THE LEFT [VENEZUELA]
RESEARCH PAPER: PUNTO FIJO DEMOCRACY COLLAPSED PRIMARILY
DUE TO THE OSSIFICATION OF THE POLITICAL PARTIES/THE COUNTRY’S
DEPENDENCY ON OIL AND THE RESOURCE CURSE
Reid, pp. 25, 64-66, 163-168, and 308-310; and 282-292 (institutions)
W & K, pp. 59-69 (institutions) and Ch. 11.
.
Recommended:
McCoy, J., and Myers, D. Unraveling of Representative Democracy in Venezuela. F2329.U67 2006
SEP. 27
QUIZ
Followed by student introductions.
PART TWO: DEMOCRACY AND THE LEFT IN LATIN AMERICA
OCT. 2
DEFINING, ASSESSING, AND PROMOTING DEMOCRACY
7
RESEARCH PAPER: 1) THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HAS/HAS NOT STOOD UP
FOR DEMOCRACY IN VENEZUELA IN 2002/ HAITI IN 2004/HONDURAS IN
2009/ PARAGUAY IN 2012 OR 2) OVERALL, FREEDOM HOUSE RATINGS OF
THE QUALITY OF DEMOCRACY ARE REASONABLY VALID/DEEPLY
FLAWED.
Reid, pp. 279-282.
Puddington, A., “The Freedom House Survey for 2011,” JD (April 2012), pp. 76-81.
Venezuela:
Levitt, B.S., “A Desultory Defense of Democracy…” LAPS (Fall 2006), pp. 110-113.
Haiti:
“Whose Coup in Haiti?” The Economist March 6, 2004, p. 13.
“Haiti: A Coup Unfolds,” The Economist February 28, 2004, p. 35.
Honduras:
Finnegan, W., “An Old-Fashioned Coup,” The New Yorker, 11/30/09, pp. 38 and ff.
“Honduras’s presidential election,” The Economist 12/5/09, pp. 43-44.
“Honduras’s post-coup president: Patching things up,” The Economist 7/24/10, p. 40.
Paraguay:
“Paraguay’s Impeachment: Lugo out in the Cold,” The Economist 6/30/12, pp. 36-37.
“Up to Now, Washington Sits Out of the Paraguay Debate,” COHA 6/27/2012.
“With Brazil as Advocate, Venezuela Joins Trade Bloc,” NYT 8/1/12 p. A6.
Recommended:
W & K, Chs. 13 and 22.
Erikson, D., “The Haiti Dilemma,” Brown Journal of World Affairs (Winter/Spring 2004), 285-297.
Ruhl, J.M., “Honduras Unravels,” JD (April 2010), 92-107.
OCT. 4,
9, & 11
THE “CONTESTATORY LEFT:” BOLIVIA AND VENEZUELA IN
COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE
Critical essay due October 4.
RESEARCH PAPER: 1) VENEZUELA SHOULD/SHOULD NOT BE
CLASSIFIED AS AN ELECTORAL DEMOCRACY IN 2012 OR 2) BOLIVIA’S
FREEDOM HOUSE SCORE IS CORRECT/INCORRECT 0R 3) VENEZUELA
UNDER CHÁVEZ/BOLIVIA UNDER MORALES IS/IS NOT [ARE/ARE NOT]
CORRECTLY CLASSIFIED AS THE “CONTESTATORY LEFT” OR 3)
OVERALL, BOLIVIA’S INDIGENOUS MOVEMENT HAS/HAS NOT BEEN
PROPITIOUS FOR DEMOCRACY IN THE COUNTRY
W & K, Ch. 14 (and review Ch. 11).
Reid, pp. 22-25, 64-66, Ch. 7 (review 163-168), 141-145, 222-226, 264-270, and 308310.
W, M, & H., Chs. 1, 2, 3 & 7.
Luna, J.P., “The Left Turns: Why They Happened and How They Compare,” in
Cameron, M. & Hershberg, E., Latin America’s Left Turns, Ch. 2.
8
Fukuyama, F., “Poverty, Inequality, and Democracy: The Latin American
Experience,” JD (Oct. 2008), pp. 69-79.
“Briefing: Hugo Chávez’s Venezuela,” The Economist 5/15/10, pp. 27-30.
DeShazo, P., Testimony before the U.S. House Western Hemisphere Subcommittee,
March 3, 2009, at http://csis.org/congress/testimonies/27.
Shifter, M., “The Incomplete Revolution,” Eldeber 8/5/12.
“Latin America’s Democratically Elected Authoritarians,” Wash Post 7/23/12 p. A10.
Update articles TBA.
Recommended:
Moreno-Brid, J.C. & Paunovic, I., “Macroeconomic Policies of the New Left: Rhetoric and Reality,” in
Cameron, M. & Hershberg, E., Latin America’s Left Turns, Ch. 10.
Shifter, M., “Latin America: A Surge to the Center,” JD (Jan. 2011), pp. 107-121.
McCoy, J., “Engaging Venezuela: 2009 and Beyond,” in Lowenthal, A.F. et. al., The Obama
Administration and the Americas, Ch. 10. BB
Articles on economic and social trends in Venezuela & Bolivia at www.cepr.net.
Ellner, S., “Hugo Chávez’s First Decade: Breakthroughs and Shortcomings,” Latin American
Perspectives, Issue 170, Vol. 37, No. 1 (January 2010), 77-96.
OCT. 16-18
CUBA: AN AUTHORITARIAN LEFT
RESEARCH PAPER: 1) THERE ARE/ARE NOT LESSONS TO BE LEARNED
BY OTHER LATIN AMERICAN NATIONS FROM CUBA’S EDUCATION
SYSTEM [OR: specify different lessons] OR 2): THE CHANGES THAT RAUL
CASTRO HAS INTRODUCED IN CUBA ARE/ARE NOT SIGNIFICANT OR 3)
CUBA HAS FAILED TO DEMOCRATIZE BECAUSE [SPECIFY DIFFERENT
REASONS]
Reid, pp. 26-27, pp. 91-95 (review), and pp. 242-246.
W & K, Ch. 17.
“The Cuban revolution at 50: Heroic myth and prosaic failure,” The Economist, Jan.
3, 2009, pp. 18-20.
Domínguez, J.I., "Secrets of Castro's Staying Power," FA (Spring 1993), pp. 97-107.
"Havana and Miami, United by Distrust," Wash. Post, 1/25/04, p. B3.
"Chorus of Praises, Counterpoint of Whispers," Wash. Post, 6/27/04, p. D01 and ff.
Cohen, R., “The End of the End of the Revolution,” The NYT Magazine, Dec. 7,
2008, pp. 44-51 and 68-70.
“Cuba’s political prisoners,” The Economist, July 10, 2010, p. 36.
Hunt, B.C., “A Look at Cuban Schools: What Is Cuba Doing Right?” Phi Delta
Kappan, Vol. 85, No. 3 (Nov. 2003), pp. 246-249.
“Brazil’s poor schools: Still a lot to learn,” The Economist 6/6/2009, pp. 36-37.
Update Articles TBA.
Recommended:
Leogrande, W., review of Democracy Delayed, in Perspectives on Politics, Vol. 2, No. 4 (Dec. 2004),
pp. 874-875. BB
Carnoy, M., Cuba’s Academic Advantage: Why Students in Cuba Do Better in School, esp. Ch. 7.
LA487.C36 2007
McClintock, C., Revolutionary Movements in Latin America, pp. 210-216. F1488.3.M375 1998
Pérez-Stable, M. The Cuban Revolution: Origins, Course, and Legacy. 3rd ed.
9
OCT. 23-25
THE ‘MODERATE LEFT:” CHILE UNDER THE CONCERTACIÓN
RESEARCH PAPER: 1) CHILE’S FREEDOM HOUSE SCORE IS
CORRECT/INCORRECT OR 2) BACHELET’S CHILE WAS/WAS NOT
CORRECTLY CLASSIFIED AS THE “MODERATE LEFT” OR 3) IN RESPONSE
TO THE DEMANDS FOR CHANGE IN CHILE’S EDUCATION SYSTEM,
PRESIDENT PINERA SHOULD [SPECIFY].
Reid, pp. 21-22, 109-113, 179-185, 233-236, 242-246 (review).
W & K, Ch. 8.
W, M, & H, Ch. 4.
Luna, J. P. & Mardones, R., “Chile: Are the Parties Over?” JD (7/2010), pp. 107-121.
“Chile’s presidential election: Piñera flies the flag,” The Economist 10/19/09, p. 59.
“Chile: Progress and Its Discontents,” The Economist April 14, 2012, pp. 45-47.
Muñoz-Lamartine, E., “Student Leaders Reinvent the Protest,” Center for Latin
American Studies, UC Berkeley (Fall 2011-Winter 2012), pp. 25-30.
Recommended:
Morales, M., “The Concertación’s Defeat in Chile’s 2009-2010 Presidential Elections,” LAPS
(Summer 2012), pp. 79-108.
Siavelis, P. M., “Chile: The End of the Unfinished Transition,” in Domínguez, J.I., & Shifter, M. (eds.),
Constructing Democratic Governance, 3rd ed., Ch. 8.
Borzutzky, S. and Weeks, G.B. (eds.), The Bachelet Government: Conflict and Consensus in PostPinochet Chile. JL 2631 .B 33 2010
OCT. 30NOV. 1
THE “MODERATE LEFT:” BRAZIL UNDER LULA AND ROUSSEFF
RESEARCH PAPER: 1) BRAZIL’S FREEDOM HOUSE SCORE IS
CORRECT/INCORRECT OR 2) BRAZIL UNDER LULA/ROUSSEFF IS/IS NOT
CORRECTLY CLASSIFIED AS THE “MODERATE LEFT” OR 3) LULA’S
SOCIAL PROGRAMS WERE/WERE NOT APPROPRIATE EFFORTS TO
ADDRESS THE CHALLENGE OF INEQUALITY IN BRAZIL.
Reid, pp. 17-18, 106-109, 185-198, and 233-241.
W & K, Ch. 7.
W, M, & H, Chs. 5 and 6..
“Poverty in Latin America: New thinking about an old problem,” The Economist,
9/17/05, pp. 36-39.
“How to get children out of jobs and into school,” The Economist 7/31/10, pp. 19-20.
“Race and the law in Brazil: The race docket,” The Economist, 8/7/10, 36.
“Presidential Politics in Brazil,” The Economist, Aug. 29, 2009, p. 32.
“Brazil’s presidential campaign,” The Economist 7/3/10 pp. 35-38.
“Facing headwinds, Dilma changes course,” The Economist 8/181/2 pp. 32-33.
Recommended:
Soares, Fabio, et. al., “Evaluating the Impact of Brazil’s Bolsa Familia: CCTs in Comparative
Perspective,” LARR (2010), Vol. 45, No. 2.
Cicao, A., “Nerds and Barbarians: Race and Class Encounters through Affirmative Action in a
Brazilian University,” JLAS (May 2012), pp. 235-260.
Reiter, B. & Mitchell, C., Brazil’s New Racial Politics. F2659.A1 B74 2010
10
NOV. 6
ARE THERE LESSONS FOR THE U.S. FROM LATIN AMERICA’S
DEMOCRACIES?
RESEARCH PAPER: 1) A COMMON ELECTORAL RULE IN LATIN
AMERICA THAT SHOULD BE ADOPTED IN THE U.S. IS [SPECIFY RULE] OR
OR 2) NUMEROUS WOMEN HAVE BEEN ELECTED PRESIDENT IN LATIN
AMERICA BUT NOT IN THE U.S. BECAUSE [SPECIFY DIFFERENT
REASONS] (Possible options include: the length of presidential terms; election-day
schedule; candidate-selection rules, including primaries and runoffs; quotas for the
election of women)
Stepan, J. and Linz, Juan J., “Comparative Perspectives on Inequality and the Quality
of Democracy in the United States,” Perspectives on Politics (December
2011), pp. 841-856.
Additional articles TBA.
Recommended:
Schwindt-Bayer, L., Political Power and Women’s Representation in Latin America. HQ1236.5.L37
S39
NOV. 8
AN “AMBIGUOUS LEFT”? ARGENTINA UNDER THE KIRCHNERS
RESEARCH PAPER: 1) ARGENTINA DESERVES/DOES NOT DESERVE ITS
B+ FREEDOM HOUSE RATING OR 2) ARGENTINA IS CLOSER TO THE
“CONTESTATORY LEFT’/THE “MODERATE LEFT”/IS SUI GENERIS
Reid, pp. 20, 113-115, 124-141.
W & K, Ch. 6.
Etchemendy, S. and Garay, C., “Argentina: Left Populism in Comparative Perspective
2003-2009,” in Levitsky, S., and Roberts, K.M., The Resurgence of the Latin
American Left, Ch. 12.
Calvo, E. & Murillo, M.V., “Argentina: The Persistence of Peronism,” JD (April
2012), pp. 148-161.
Update Articles TBA.
Recommended:
Mahon, J.F. and Corrales, J., "Argentina's Meltdown," CH (Feb. '02), pp. 72-80. BB
Jones, M.P. & Micozzi, J.P., “Argentina: Resilience in the Face of Challenges,” in Levine, D. &
Molina, J..E., The Quality of Democracy in Latin America JL966 .Q35 2011
PART THREE: DEMOCRACY AMID INTENSE VIOLENCE
NOV. 13-15 MEXICO
& 20
RESEARCH PAPER: 1) IT IS/IS NOT DANGEROUS FOR MEXICO’S
DEMOCRACY THAT PRESIDENT-ELECT ENRIQUE PENA NIETO IS TIED TO
TELEVISA OR 2) IN ORDER TO IMPROVE MEXICO’S STRUGGLE AGAINST
ORGANIZED CRIME, PENA NIETO SHOULD [SPECIFY] OR 3) MEXICO
TRANSITED TO DEMOCRACY IN 2000 BECAUSE [SPECIFY]
11
Reid, pp. 19, 72-75, 198-211, 246-254 (review).
W & K, Ch. 16.
Holzner, C.A., “Mexico: Weak State, Weak Democracy,” in Levine, D.H. & Molina,
J.E., The Quality of Democracy in Latin America, pp. 83-110.
“Film on Mexico’s Disputed ’06 Election Stirs Emotions,” NYT 12/2/07, p. 19.
“Mexico’s Middle Class Fortifies Opposition,” Wash. Post. 6/7/00 pp. 1 & 19.
Update articles TBA.
On organized crime:
Review the readings for Sep. 20.
Recommended:
Dresser, D., “Mexico: Dysfunctional Democracy,” in Domínguez, J.I. and Shifter, M., Constructing
Democratic Governance, Ch. 10. JL966.C677 2008
NOV. 27-29 COLOMBIA
RESEARCH PAPER: 1) COLOMBIA’S FREEDOM HOUSE RATING IS
CORRECT/ INCORRECT OR 2) THE URIBE ADMINISTRATION’S COUNTERINSURGENCY/COUNTERDRUG POLICIES WERE FLAWED BECAUSE
[SPECIFY DIFFERENT REASONS] OR 3) THERE ARE/ARE NOT LESSONS
FOR MEXICO FROM PLAN COLOMBIA [SPECIFY DIFFERENT LESSONS].
Reid, pp. 24-25 and 254-263.
W & K, Ch. 9.
Moreno, E., “Colombia: The Effects of Violence,” in Levine, D.H. & Molina, J.E.,
The Quality of Democracy in Latin America, pp. 201-220.
Navarro, A., “Ending the Conflict with the FARC,” Inter-American Dialogue Andean
Working Paper, Jan. 2007.
Haugard, L., et. al., “A Compass for Colombia Policy,” Oct. 2008.
“Colombia: Uribe’s Hostage Triumph,” The Economist, 7/5/08, p. 45
“Presidential re-election in Colombia,” The Economist, 5/16/09, pp. 43-44.
“Colombia’s presidential election,” The Economist, 6/5/10, p. 43.
Update articles TBA.
Recommended:
Isacson, A., “Plan Colombia—Six Years Later,'" Center for International Policy Report, Nov. 2006, at
www.ciponline.org
DEC. 4-6
CONCLUSION
Research paper due Dec. 6 if not presented previously.