Listed in: , as EDST-232 | Political Science, as POSC-232
Javier Corrales (Section 01)
(Offered as POSC 232 and EDST 232) This course surveys some of the principal themes in the political economy of lower-income countries. Questions will cover a broad terrain. What are the key characteristics of poor economies? Why did these countries fail to catch up economically with the West in the 20th century? Who are the key political actors? What are their beliefs, ideologies and motivations? What are their political constraints, locally, nationally and globally? We will review definitions of development, explanations for the wealth and poverty of nations, the role of ideas, positive and dysfunctional links between the state and business groups, the role of non-state actors, the causes and consequences of poverty, inequality, disease and corruption, the impact of financial globalization and trade opening, the role of the IMF and the World Bank, and the arguments of anti-developmentalists. We will look at the connection between regime type and development. (Are democracies at a disadvantage in promoting development?) We will also devote a couple of weeks to education in developing countries. We know education is a human good, but is it also an economic good? Does education stimulate economic growth? What are the obstacles to education expansion? We will not focus on a given region, but rather on themes. Familiarity with the politics or economics of some developing country is helpful but not necessary.
Limited to 24 students. Prioity given to sophomores. Spring semester. Professor Corrales.
How to handle overenrollment: Priority given to sophomores then Political Science majors.
Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Emphasis written work, discussion, readings, independent research, oral presentations, group work.
Section 01
Tu 11:30 AM - 12:50 PM FAYE 117
Th 11:30 AM - 12:50 PM FAYE 117
| ISBN | Title | Publisher | Author(s) | Comment | Book Store | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon in the Tropics: Venezuela and the Legacy of Hugo Chavez | Brookings Institution Press | Corrales, Javier and Michael Penfold | Amherst Books | TBD | ||
| The Elusive Quest for Growth: Economists' Adventures and Misadventures in the Tropics | The MIT Press | Easterly, William | Amherst Books | TBD | ||
| The bottom billion : why the poorest countries are failing and what can be done about it | Oxford University Press | Paul Collier | Amherst Books | TBD |
These books are available locally at Amherst Books.