INTL 3300: Introduction to Comparative Politics
Spring 2015
Stephen Bagwell
Office: Candler Basement
Office Hours: by appointment
Email: bagwells@uga.edu
Class Meeting Times: MWF 9:05-9:55
Class Location: 203 Caldwell Hall
Goal of the Course: This course is designed to introduce the major concepts and issues in the
comparative study of politics and government. By the end of the course, students should
understand why comparing political behavior and institutions across countries matters. In
addition, they should understand the logic of comparative political analysis. This course is also
intended to provide an overview of internal political structures across countries. Thus, students
should also become familiar with the basic varieties of political institutions, processes, and
cultures around the world.
Required Readings:
Dickovick, J. Tyler, and Jonathan Eastwood. 2013. Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories,
Methods, and Cases. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Some journal articles, available online or in the library.
Student Responsibilities:
Readings: Students are required to do the readings for each class period. I expect everyone to
finish the readings for each class ahead of time.
Paper: There will be an 8-10 page (not including bibliography or title page) research paper in
which the student will identify a comparative research topic, research the existing literature, and
develop a comparative research design. More detailed instructions will be given in class.
Exams: The will be one required in-class exam (a midterm). The format of each exam will be
announced prior to the exam.
Participation/Quizzes: I expect you to be attentive and to contribute when appropriate. There
will also be a small number of short, unannounced quizzes that will cover recent readings and
course material. Your completion of/performance on these will help me assess your participation
grade. I also strongly encourage students to read articles from national and international news
sources that are pertinent to class material. Though I will not take attendance, it is important; you
have to be in class to participate and to take the quizzes!
Grades:
Participation/Quizzes: 20
Paper: 35
Paper presentation: 10
Midterm: 35
Grade Scale:
>93%: A
90-92.99%: A87-89.99%: B+
83-86.99%: B
80-82.99%: B77-79.99%: C+
73-76.99%: C
70-72.99%: C60-69.99%: D
<60%: F
Policy on Laptops and Smartphones: The use of smartphones during class is strictly
prohibited, put them on silent- not vibrate. Phones going off are a huge distraction, so be
respectful of both myself and other students and either completely silence them or turn them off.
Students are, however, encouraged to use their laptops to take notes or to refer to the readings.
Students may not, however, browse the web or check their email. Students caught doing so will
lose participation points.
Late/Missed Assignments: Missed assignments will result in a zero without a university
approved medical excuse or family emergency. Students will be penalized for late assignments;
20% of the grade for each day late without a university-approved medical excuse or family
emergency. Make-up exams can be arranged with the instructor with a university-approved
medical excuse or family emergency.
As a University of Georgia student, you have agreed to abide by the University’s academic
honesty policy, “A Culture of Honesty,” and the Student Honor Code. All academic work must
meet the standards described in “A Culture of Honesty” found at: www.uga.edu/honesty. Lack of
knowledge of the academic honesty policy is not a reasonable explanation for a violation.
Questions related to course assignments and the academic honesty policy should be directed to
the instructor.
Readings and Course Schedule: The course syllabus is a general plan for the course;
deviations announced to the class by the instructor may be necessary. This is one of many
reasons why you should come to class.
WEEK 1(January 5-9)
Introduction and Overview of Comparative Politics
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapters 1 and 2
WEEK 2 (January 12-16)
1/12: Dickovick and Eastwood Chapter 3
1/14: A. Alesina et al. (2001). “Why Doesn’t The US Have A European-Style Welfare State?”
Harvard Institute of Economic Research. Discussion Paper Number 1933.
1/16: At conference. No class meeting. THREE COMPARATIVE PAPER IDEAS DUE.
WEEK 3 (January 19-23)
1/19: No class. Martin Luther King Jr Day
1/21: Discuss paper ideas. J. Dickovick and Eastwood Chapter 5.
1/23: R. Inglehart and C. Welzel (2009). “Modernization, Cultural Change and Democracy.” In:
L. Mayer, D. Patterson, and F. Thames (eds). Contending Perspectives in Comparative Politics.
CQ Press, Washington, pp. 485-514
WEEK 4 (January 26-30)
1/26: J. Diamond (2005). “The Shape of Africa.” National Geographic 208 (3), pp. 25-30.
Available at: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0509/resources_geo2.html
1/28: D. Acemoglu and J.A. Robinson (2012). Why Nations Fail. Crown Publishers, New York.
Chapter 3.
1/30: F. Fukuyama (1995). “A Loose Tray of Sand (Chapter 8).” In: Trust: social virtues and the
creation of prosperity. Free Press, New York, pp. 69-82.
WEEK 5 (February 2-6)
2/2: Electoral Systems
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 8
2/4: Federalism
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 7, pages 181-186
2/6: Executives
Dickovick and Eastwood Chapter 9
WEEK 6 (February 9-13)
2/9: Labor Institutions. Readings TBA
2/11: Political Parties 4
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 10, pages 251-256
2/13: Party Systems
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 10, pages 256-276
WEEK 7 (February 16-20)
2/16: Case Study: Brazil
Dickovick and Eastwood, page 487-502
2/18: Reading/research day
2/20: no class. RESEARCH OUTLINE DUE
WEEK 8 (February 23-27)
2/23: Political Culture
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 14
2/25: Political Participation and Voter Turnout
Blais, André. 2006. What Affects Voter Turnout? Annual Review of Political Science 9:111-125.
2/27: Case Study: Australia
Sharman, C., A.M. Sayers, and N. Miragliotta. 2002. Trading Party Preferences: The Australian
Experience of Preferential Voting. Electoral Studies 21 (4):543-560.
Kaminsky, Jackie, and Timothy J. White. 2007. Electoral Systems and Women’s Representation
in Australia. Commonwealth & Comparative Politics 45 (2):185-201.
WEEK 9 (March 2-6)
3/2: Exam Review
3/4: Exam Part 1
3/6: Exam Part 2
WEEK 10 (March 9-13)
Spring Break
WEEK 11 (March 16-20)
3/16: Policymaking
Tsebelis, George. 1995. Decision Making in Political Systems: Veto Players in Presidentialism,
Parliamentarism, Multicameralism and Multipartyism. British Journal of Political Science 25
(3):289-325.
3/18: The Welfare State
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 3, pages 58-60 and 68-74
3/20: Case Study: The EU 6
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 15, pages 382-384
WEEK 12 (March 30-April 3)
3/30: Case Study: Peru
Schmidt, Gregory D. 1996. Fujimori’s 1990 Upset Victory in Peru: Electoral Rules,
Contingencies, and Adaptive Strategies. Comparative Politics 28 (3):321-354.
Crabtree, John. 2010. Democracy without Parties? Some Lessons from Peru. Journal of Latin
American Studies 42 (2):257-382.
4/1: Globalization
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 15, pages 385-394
4/3: Case Study: Chile
Bonilla, Claudio A., Ryan E. Carlin, Gregory J. Love, and Ernesto Silva Méndez. 2011. Social or
Political Cleavages? A Spatial Analysis of the Party System in Post-Authoritarian Chile. Public
Choice 146 (1-2):9-21.
Dow, Jay K. 1998. A Spatial Analysis of Candidate Competition in Dual Member Districts: The
1989 Chilean Senatorial Elections. Public Choice 97 (3):451-74.
WEEK 13 (April 6-10)
4/6: The Determinants and Promotion of Democracy
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 5
4/8: Case Study: India
Lijphart, Arend. 1996. The Puzzle of Indian Democracy: A Consociational Interpretation.
American Political Science Review 90 (2):258-268.
Dickovick and Eastwood, pages 517-530
4/10: Readings will be announced in class
WEEK 14 (April 13-17)
4/13: Paper Presentations
4/15: Paper Presentations
4/17: Paper Presentations
WEEK 15 (April 20-24)
4/20: Paper Presentations
4/22: Case Study: Russia
Dickovick and Eastwood 503-516
4/24: Case Study: China
Dickovick and Eastwood 531-546
WEEK 16 (April 27)
4/27: Special Presentation
Final Paper: Due Monday, May 4, NO LATER THAN NOON