Welcome to POLS 204!Introduction to Comparative PoliticsProf. Susan Whiting

Introduction to Comparative Politics

Subfields of Political Science Comparative politics

Introduction to Comparative Politics

Subfields of Political Science Comparative politics

Political/economic phenomena within state boundaries

Countries other than our own Comparison

Introduction to Comparative Politics

Most important comparative issue:

DEVELOPMENT

Introduction to Comparative Politics

Development Economic aspects Political aspects

Introduction to Comparative Politics

Development Economic aspects

Wealth production Provision of basic needs Improvement in quality of life Equality

Introduction to Comparative Politics

Development Political aspects

Maintenance of stability State capacity to formulate and

implement policy Democracy

Introduction to Comparative Politics

This course will answer the following questions about development: Why are some countries rich and some

countries poor? Why are some countries democratic

and some authoritarian? Why are some countries stable and

others wracked by violence?

Studying Comparative Politics

Studying Comparative Politics

Studying Comparative Politics

Studying Comparative Politics

Introduction to Comparative Politics

We will study 4 important theories that claim to explain economic and political development Neo-liberalism Modernization Dependency Statism

Introduction to Comparative Politics

We will study 6 countries’ experiences with development Britain (United Kingdom) Japan Russia China Mexico Nigeria

Introduction to Comparative Politics: Exercise 1!

Label each country Britain Japan Russia China Mexico Nigeria

Circle label if 20th C imperial power

Make two lists Rank countries by

political freedom Rank countries by level

of economic development

Introduction to Comparative Politics

Course website http://faculty.washington.edu/swhiting/pols204/