Politics and Society in Latin America

Course content

This course is designed to provide graduate students of political science with a survey of the Latin American politics at both theoretical and empirical levels of analysis. It begins with an examination of the political and economic developments in Latin American societies during their capitalist development and state formation and their legacy for the state-society relations. The course then proceeds to the analysis of the rise of authoritarianism, transitions to democratic rule, the dynamics of economic liberalization, and the challenges of democratic consolidation in major countries of the region. Specific topic to be covered include the nature of the Latin American state, the role of militaries, political parties, civil societies and the impact of the market reforms on social and political stability.