- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
Comparative Politics of Latin America 4219-SF044-OG
Comparative Politics is a field of study that has developed conceptual and analytical tools that can be used to address and answer a wide range of questions about political and social events. Comparative Politics is relevant to those students interested in the social and political life of foreign countries.
This course approaches salient topics in the in Latin American countries. In this course, students will be introduced to debates on Political theory, Democracy, forms of resistance and legitimacy. The course reviews recent topics like the role of digital technologies in the governance of Latin American republics as well as more historical issues like the Rule of Law, Human Rights and corruption.
A vast bibliography exists on Latin America and the complexities of its current challenges. In reviewing that literature, students will identify areas where academic research has attributed relevance. They will also develop the ability to articulate well-grounded answers -beyond established and simplistic notions- on the region´s salient topics.
Type of course
foreign languages
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE
Upon completing the course, a student:
- identifies quantitative, qualitative and historical methodologies to compare political institutions.
- recognises relevant comparative studies on Latin American republics.
- analyses Latin American politics.
SKILLS
Upon completing the course, a student:
- is able to critically use concepts of comparative politics.
- develops critical thinking skills
- formulates critical arguments.
SOCIAL COMPETENCES
Upon completing the course, a student:
- improves his or her knowledge of Latin America.
- is able to formulate arguments about Latin American political systems.
- understands the importance of political institutions in a society.
- understands the importance of legitimacy in a democratic society.
Assessment criteria
Student assessment is mainly based on written essays.
1. Term Essay. 2,000 words (25% / 6 pages)
2. Final Essay. 2,500 words (40% / 8 pages)
3. Oral Presentation (25%)
4. Class Participation (10%)
Attendance is compulsory
Bibliography
Almond, G. 1956 Comparative Political Systems. Journal of Politics 18(3): 391–409.
Retrieved from http://www-1jstor-1org-1000094xu36ff.han.buw.uw.edu.pl/stable/2127255
Almond, G.; and Verba, S. 1963. The Civic Culture: Political Attitudes and Democracy in Five Nations. Princeton Univ. Press.
Alvarez, S.; Dagnino, E. and Escobar, A. (eds.) 1995. Cultures of Politics, Politics of Culture: Re-visioning Latin American Social Movements. Boulder: Westview Press.
Arsel, M., Hogenboom, B. and Pellegrini, L. 2016. The extractive imperative in Latin America. Extractive Industries and Society, 3(4), 880-887.
Boix, C. and Stokes, S. 2009. The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics. Oxford, UK, OUP.
Cardenas, S. 2009. Human Rights in Latin America: A Politics of Terror and Hope, University of Pennsylvania Press.
Dargent, E. 2014. Technocracy and Democracy in Latin America: The Experts Running Government. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
Diamond, L., Linz, J. and Martin Lipset, S. (eds.). 1996. Democracy in Developing Countries: Latin America, Boulder.
Pilar D. 1999. “Judicial Independence and Judicial Reform in Latin America,” in Andreas Schedler, Larry Diamond, and Marc Plattner, eds. The Self-Restraining State: Power and Accountability in New Democracies. Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers.
Donaghy, M. 2018. Reforming the Relationship between the State and Civil Society in Latin America. Latin American Research Review, 53(2), 388-393.
Dornbusch, R. and Edwards, S., 1991. The Macroeconomics of populism in Latin America. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Eckstein, H. and Apter, D. (eds.). 1963. Comparative Politics: A Reader. New York: Free Press.
Ellner, S. 2012. The Distinguishing Features of Latin America’s New Left in Power: The Chávez, Morales, and Correa Governments. Latin American Perspectives, 39(1), 96-114.
Goldfrank, B. 2011. Deepening Local Democracy in Latin America: Participation, Decentralization, and the Left. University Park: Penn State University Press.
Grindle, M. 2016. Democracy and Clientelism: How Uneasy a Relationship? Latin American Research Review, 51(3), 241-249.
Lim, T. 2010. Doing Comparative Politics: An Introduction to Approaches and Issues. Boulder, Colorado. Lynne Rienner Publishers.
Linz, J. and Valenzuela, A. (eds.) 1994. The Failure of Presidential Democracy vol. 2 the case of Latin America. Baltimore and London; The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Polletta, F. 2014. ‘Is Participation Without Power Good Enough? Introduction to “Democracy Now: Ethnographies of Contemporary Participation”’. The Sociological Quarterly 55(3): 453–66.
Przeworski, A. and Limongi, F. 1997. Modernization: theories and facts, World Politics 49(2)
Ruth, S. P. 2016. Clientelism and the Utility of the Left‐Right Dimension in Latin America. Latin American Politics and Society, 58(1): 72-97.
Scott, J. 1999. Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Silva, P. 2008. In the Name of Reason: Technocrats and Politics in Chile. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press.
Stokes, S. 2001. Mandates and Democracy: Neoliberalism by Surprise in Latin America. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press.
Tarrow, S. 1998. Power in Movement: Social Movements and Contentious Politics. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Valenzuela, Arturo. 1985. A Note on the Military and Social Science Theory, Third World Quarterly 7(1)
Yashar, D. 1999. Democracy, Indigenous Movements, and the Postliberal Challenge in Latin America, World Politics 52(1).
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: