POL300H1F L5101

Topics in Comparative Politics

Autocracy and Authoritarianism: Acts, Practices and Regimes

Themes

In 2003 Adam Przeworski noted that “dictatorships are by far the most understudied area in comparative politics.” In an attempt to address this deficit, POL 300H1 will expose students to theories and empirical examples of autocratic and authoritarian governance in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, with a general but not exclusive focus on the “developing world.” Beginning with an overview of some of the major theoretical traditions and methodological issues in the study of dictatorship, we will then explore key actors, institutions, ideas and structures in a variety of historical and geographic contexts. The class will be anchored by six case studies of countries variously (and sometimes controversially) defined as authoritarian, post-authoritarian or partly democratic: Egypt, México, North Korea, Russia, South Africa, and Venezuela.

Texts

Natasha Ezrow and Erica Frantz, Dictators and Dictatorships: Understanding Authoritarian Regimes and Their Leaders; Readings posted on Blackboard

Format and Requirements

Methodological critique (short paper): 20%; Oral presentation: 20%; Research paper:40%; Weekly participation: 20%

Prerequisites

1.0 POL credit