1. Introduction to Non-Western
Comparative Politics
Professor Andrew Levin
January 19, 2012

2. Roadmap

3. Defining “Non-Western”
 http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96

4. Capel Associates

5. Syllabus
 Course Materials
 December Green and Laura Luehrmann (2011), Comparative Politics of the Third World: Linking Concepts
and Cases (please note: Third Edition) (Lynne Rienner Publishers).
 Student Outcomes
If you have questions, Please ask them now

6. Syllabus-Graded Elements
 Attendance
 Media/Journal Article
 Developing Country Politics/Economy
 South/South Relations
 Developing Country’s Relation with US/International Community
 Attitudes towards Americans
http://www.pewglobal.org/database/?indicator=1&mode=chart
 Active Participation
 Ask Questions!
 Do the reading

7. Syllabus-Graded Elements
 Midterm: March 22
 Matching
 Multiple Choice
 Short Answers
 Writing Assignments (3/1, 4/5, 4/26)
 Only need to complete two of three!
 At least one week to write 2-3 page paper, double-spaced

8. Syllabus-Graded Elements
 Final Project
 You are the Foreign Minister of a Developing Country
 Write a Night Note to your President/Prime Minister about the
three most important international issues your country is facing
 Attend a World Summit of Developing Countries
 Negotiate and Debate what is the top issue to discuss with the US
(at the end of class)

9. Grade Make-Up
 Midterm Exam: 25%
 Final Project: 30%
 Participation: 20%
 Response Assignments: 25%
 Extra Credit-applied to subgrades (i.e. Midterm, Final Project)

10. Syllabus-Other Important Information
 Academic Honesty is Expected
 All other of class assignments will be submitted to
SafeAssignment on Blackboard
 Accessibility
 Let me know if you have a Disability Plan
 Diversity
 Respect everyone
 No discrimination is allowed in the classroom
 Student E-mail
 Check Frequently
 Can be forwarded to a Third Party Site

11. What is Comparative Politics?

12. Cross-National Analysis
 http://www.youtube.com/user/oecden?blend=1&ob=vid

13. Case Studies
 “Most Similar Systems” Analysis
 Start at 3 minute:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EYmDnFrHCQ
 “Most Different” Approach
 Start at 1 minute:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zAFq-hwfbA

14. Historical Legacies
 Pre-Colonial Roles
 Impact of Colonialism/Domination/Periphery
 Transition to Post-Colonialism
 Mexico (1820), Zimbabwe (1980)
 Violent vs. Peaceful
Council on Foreign Relations

15. Ideas & Actions
From Salon.com: Egyptian voters line up for the 2011 Election

16. Global Economy

17. Violence: A Means to an End?

18. Political Change

19. Political Change
 What is Democracy?
 Is Democracy “End of History”?
 Rule of Law
 Efficacy vs Equality (China)
 Role of Religion

20. Global Problem-Solving
 International Organizations (IOs)
 United Nations, NATO, G8
 Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs)
 Issues
 Inequality
 Climate Change
 Non-Proliferation
 Organized Crime
 Terrorism

21. Image of America in the Developing World

22. Our Eight Case Studies
Group Discussion

23. Recap
 Get Excited – This will be a unique, interesting class!
 Buy Book
 Read Chapters 1-3
 Check Blackboard and E-mail Daily
 Bring treats!

24. Questions?