|
|
|
|
|
Fall 2007 This course examines the juncture of politics and the economy in the advanced industrial democracies. Why do some countries have large, inclusive welfare states while others have minimal social programs? Is the welfare state in decline, and if so why? Do big welfare states and their attendant tax regimes stifle innovation and impede job creation, or are they compatible with good economic performance? Does it really make much difference for the economy whether parties of the left or right govern? What are the impacts of elections and partisan competition on monetary and fiscal policy and the macro-economy? Are strong union movements bad for the economy as a whole, or do they actually facilitate good economic performance in some countries? What does increasing globalization of the world economy mean for the constraints and opportunities facing governments in managing the economy and providing social welfare? Why did most European countries abandon their national currencies to create the Euro? We will use a variety of theoretical perspectives to provide some insight into these and other questions, paying particular attention to evaluating the theoretical arguments with both systematic and historical evidence. Enrollment for Govt 338 is capped at 50 Click here to get the syllabus
|
Fall 2007
|
|
|
Spring 2008 This course surveys leading theories of the causes of interstate war – that is, large scale organized violence between the armed forces of states. Why is war a recurring feature of international politics? Are democracies more peaceful than other types of states, and if so what explains this “democratic peace”? Why do democratic publics seem to reward threats to use force by “rallying around the flag” in support of their governments? Does the inexorable pattern of the rise and fall of nations lead to cycles of great power wars throughout history? These and other questions will be examined in our survey of theories of war at three levels of analysis: the individual and small groups, domestic politics, and the international system. Topics covered include: 1) theoretical explanations for war; 2) evaluation of the evidence for the various explanations; 3) the impact of nuclear weapons on international politics; 4) ethics and warfare; 5) the uses and limitations of air power; 6) international terrorism.
|
Spring 2008
|
|
Courses Taught (including those not offered 2007-08)
Click on title for syllabusGovernment 100: Freshman Writing Seminar
Government 227: The Atomic Age
Government 338: Comparative Political Economy
Government 386: The Causes of War
Government 400: Democracies in the International System
Government 605: Comparative Methods (Graduate)
Government 606: Field Seminar in International Relations
Government 656: Comparative Political Economy
Government 684: Strategies of Inquiry for International and Comparative Politics (Graduate)
Government 685: International Political Economy
Government 689: International Security
Government 707: Introduction to Game Theory for Political Science (Graduate)