Politics, Power and Political Economy in Latin America

As taught Autumn Semester 2010
Dr Sara Motta, School of Politics and International Relations

This module explores and analyses democratic politics in Latin America since the third wave of democratization in the 1980s. It is divided into three parts:

1. Conceptualising democracy in the region with a focus on the debate between those who argue that liberal democracy and liberal markets are necessary and desirable and those who argue that only experiments that go beyond both will truly democratise the region.

2. Explaining problems in democratic development such as lack of participation, representation and citizenship with reference to the political economy of neoliberalism, dependent development and political culture, amongst other theories.

3. Asking the question: who are the actors who will democratise democracy in Latin America, with a focus on political parties, social movements, elites/technocrats and NGOs. All discussions will be contextualised with reference to particular case studies

Module Code and Credits: M13098

Year: 2010/11
 
Suitable for study at: Undergraduate level 3
 
Method and frequency of class: 1 x 1 hour lecture per week and 1 x 1.5 hour seminar per week

Activities may take place every teaching week of the Semester or only in specified weeks. It is usually specified above if an activity only takes place in some weeks of a Semester

Target Students: Arts & Social Sciences. There is a limited number of places on this module. Students are reminded that enrolments which are not agreed by the Offering School in advance may be cancelled without notice. Available to JYA/Erasmus students. .

Prerequisites: None

Corequisites: None

Offering School: Politics and International Relations