PLSC 3342/CF 3388: Making Democracy Work
Spring 2006
Instructor: Luigi Manzetti
e-mail: lmanzett@mail.smu.edu
Office Hours: W 9:00-11:00AM;
or by appointment
Office: 212 Carr Collins
Tel: 214-768-4366
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GOALS
This is an advanced undergraduate course dealing specifically with the literature of democracy and economic
development. A large number of readings is very theoretical and deals with economic principles. Thus, for
some the course may be very challenging.
The course goal is to determine what are the factors that contribute to make some countries strong
democracies as well as thriving economies and, conversely, what other factors are responsible for hampering
democracy and slowing down economic progress. We shall, therefore, analyze some of the most important
literature from politics and economics that attempt to come up with an answer to this fundamental question.
Thus, the course is interdisciplinary in nature, as it draws from different fields of inquiry to provide the most
comprehensive answer possible.
Besides the course readings, we will also watch the award winning “Commanding Heights,” produced by
PBS.
This program will help us to understand how both economic and political factors shaped the development of
the world for the last hundred years and how the theory we will learn actually had an important influence in
shaping policy across the globe. Students will find all the details on the three tapes we will watch in class by
logging into:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/lo/index.html
This web page recaps what is discussed in the tapes. Once you get into the main page, just click on one of the
main headings that provide:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
a recap of the main story line
a country-by-country information
key events leading to major policy shifts
the profile of crucial thinkers and policy-makers
the summary of the most important ideas at play
PBS: Commanding Heights (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/lo/index.html). Click on “Story
line” in the web page and read the chapters (once you are in the “story line” page click on transcript menu)
assigned for each class meeting.
READINGS: The following are REQUIRED readings that can be found at the SMU bookstore:
Robert Putnam: Making Democracy Work, (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1993)
Douglas North: Institutions, Institutional Change, and Economic Performance, (New York: Cambridge
University Press, 1990)
Mancur Olson: The Rise and Decline of Nations (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1982)
REQUIRED READINGS ON MY WEB SITE (faculty.smu.edu/lmanzett/):
Robert Outnam: “Bowling Alone, Journal of Democracy
Schmitter, Philippe and Terry Karl. "What Democracy Is... And Is Not," Journal of Democracy (Summer
1991): 75-89
Rodan, Gary. Neoliberalism and transparency: political versus economic liberalism. Asia Research Centre,
Murdoch University, 2004.
ON RESERVE (Fondren library). Since there is only one copy available, it would be best if you
photocopy the chapter assigned for each meeting.
Milton Friedman (1962). Capitalism and Freedom. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Putnam, Robert (2000). Bowling Alone. New York: Simon & Shuster.
Stiglitz, Joseph (2002). Globalization and Its Discontents. New York: Norton.
STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITIES (read carefully)
1. Students are expected to have read the material assigned BEFORE each class meeting as specified below.
Given that a substantial discussion should take place in teasing out the main issues debated in the course,
failing to do so will jeopardize a student's performance and understanding.
2. Attendance is required for the written examinations. Failing to show up will result in an administrative 0
score. If a student cannot take a test due to illness, he/she MUST notify the instructor BEFORE not
AFTER the examination. A student can reschedule an examination only if a validated medical proof can
be shown.
3. No incomplete grades will be allowed except for exceptional circumstances.
4. Students MUST complete all work. Failing to do so will result in an administrative F.
5. Students who are found to have plagiarized will be given an administrative F.
6. All appeals of grades received on a test need to be submitted no later than five working days after the
date a test is returned to class. NOTE that in the event of an appeal I will re-grade your entire test.
This means that your grade may go down as a result.
GRADING POLICY.
The examination requirements for the course are: 3 tests (75% of total grade), a final paper (25%). The topic
will be assigned on April 18th. The paper must be e-mailed to me on May 8th no later than 6:00 PM. Failing
to do so will result in a 5 point cut per day after the deadline. Its length must be 8 pages (notes and
bibliography not included).
APPEALING GRADES:
Students can appeal a grade within 5 working days after the test is returned to class. After that period no
appeals will be considered.
GRADING SCALE.
A
A-
100-94
93-90
B+
B
B-
89-86
85-83
82-80
C+
C
C-
79-76
75-73
72-70
D+
D
F
69-66
65-63
BELOW 63
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance is required by Dedman College regulations. Students who miss class will have 2 points deducted
for each absence from the final grade unless a medical certificate is provided within a week from the absence
itself. Punctuality is also mandatory. Students who come late to class may not be allowed to attend.
SMU Policy on Disability, Religion, and Extracurricular ActivitiesSMU Policy on Disability,
Religion, and Extracurricular Activities
* Disability Accommodations: Students needing academic accommodations for a disability must first
contact Ms. Rebecca Marin, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities (214-768-4557) to verify
the disability and establish eligibility for accommodations. They should then schedule an appointment
with the professor to make appropriate arrangements. (See University Policy No. 2.4.)
* Religious Observance: Religiously observant students wishing to be absent on holidays that require
missing class should notify their professors in writing at the beginning of the semester, and should discuss
with them, in advance, acceptable ways of making up any work missed because of the absence. (See
University Policy No. 1.9.)
* Excused Absences for University Extracurricular Activities: Students participating in an officially
sanctioned, scheduled University extracurricular activity should be given the opportunity to make up class
assignments or other graded assignments missed as a result of their participation. It is the responsibility of the
student to make arrangements with the instructor prior to any missed scheduled examination or other missed
assignment for making up the work. (University Undergraduate Catalogue)
SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND READINGS
(Some class meetings may be rescheduled due to conferences I will attend this semester)
Date
Topic
Reading
January 17
Milton Friedman
Putnam,
chp. 1
chp. 1
19
Milton Friedman
Friedman chp. 1-2
24
Institutional Performance
Institutional Change and Cooperation
North chp. 1-2
26
Cooperation
North
31
Transaction Theory
North chp. 4
2
TEST 1
7
Institutions
North chp. 5-6
9
Enforcement
North chp. 7
14
Institutional Change
North chp. 11-12
Feb.
chp. 3
Feb.
16
Economic Performance
North chp. 13
21
The Logic of Collective Action
Olson chp 1-2
23
Implications
Olson chp. 3
28
Post World War II Democracies
Olson chp. 4
March 2
7
Commanding heights episode 1
“Von Hayek vs. Keynes”
PBS chp. 1-6
9
Commanding heights episode 1
“The Great Depression and the Welfare State”
PBS chp. 7-12
21
Commanding heights episode 1
“The collapse of Mixed Economies and Thatcher’s Rise”
PBS chp. 13-19
23
Commanding heights episode 2
“The Collapse of Soviet Communism and Latin America”
PBS chp. 1-7
Commanding heights episode 2
“Shock Therapy in Eastern Europe and Latin America”
PBS chp. 8-15
28
April
TEST 2
30
Commanding heights episode 2
“Market Reforms go Awry”
PBS chp 16-21
4
“Commanding heights episode 3
“Global Markets and their Problems”
PBS chp. 1-7
6
Commanding heights episode 3
“Emerging Markets Crash”
PBS chp. 8-15
11
Commanding heights episode 3
“Capitalism Redefined”
PBS chp. 16-21
13
TEST 3
18
Changing the Rules/Institutional Performance/History
20
Social Capital and Institutional Success
Putnam chp. 5-6
25
Bowling alone
Putnam (JofD)
27
Rodan, Schmitter, and Stiglitz
Stiglitz chp. 1 and 3
2
Conclusion (this class may be cancelled due to a professional meeting)
Putnam chp. 2-3-
4
May