POL438H1F L0101

Topics in Comparative Politics I

Nations without States in Europe and North America

Themes

Despite the prediction that the forces of modernization would sweep away non-state national identities, the Québécois, Basque, Catalan, Flemish, Bavarian, Corsican, Welsh and Scottish nationalist movements continue to express demands for autonomy, recognition, and even independence. Sub-state nationalism has had profound effects on the politics, societies, and institutions of multinational states in Europe and North America.
This course has three primary aims (a) to introduce students to the wide range of theories that attempt to explain the emergence and persistence of sub-state nationalism and examine their applicability in specific cases (b) to familiarize students with some of the strengths and shortcomings of the solutions designed to mitigate ‘conflict’ between sub-state nations and their respective states (c) to critically examine the relationship between sub-state nationalism and contemporary issues such as the resurgence/decline of dominant nationalities, left-right ideologies, globalization, immigration, environmentalism, and the welfare state.

Texts

TBA

Format and Requirements

Take-home test (30%), research paper (20-25 pages) (40%), class participation/presentation (30%).

Prerequisites

2.0 credits in POL/ JPA/ JPF/ JPI/ JPR/ JPS/ JRA courses