Corsi di Studio del Dipartimento di Culture, Politica e Società

The course aims at offering students the theoretical, conceptual and methodological tools to interpret critically the contemporary political situation in Latin America.

The student will acquire robust knowledge and comprehension skills to analyze the processes of democratization and democratic consolidation, followed by democratic fatigue and crisis, that developed in the region in the last decades. The student will apply her knowledge and comprehension to the critical analysis of the ongoing processes of democratization/autocratization; and will display robust independent judgment, based on the factual, conceptual and methodological competences acquired in class. Finally, she will strengthen her communicative and learning skills in the English language, which has become an essential instrument to operate successfully in scientific and professional communities.

Given the persistence of the COVID-19 emergency, frontal lectures may be replaced by online lectures based on powerpoint material with audio support; readings of further scientific material provided by the teacher, and online exercises. Exercises are designed to review class material and help memorize and learn more about each week's lectures.

Webex interaction with the Teacher will be assured both during office hour meetings (Wednesadys at 12 a.m.) and while doing group exercises, once a week.

More precise information will be provided the first week of classes, and posted online on February 22nd: Lecture 1 will be entirely dedicated to the organization and planning of the course.

Written exam, with open ended questions. The student will choose three questions out of five and answer them in a concise manner. Each answer will receive a maximum grade of 10.

Given the persistence of the COVID-19 emergency, in-class written exams may be substituted by online written exams, on the days specified in the exam schedule. In any case, those of you registered for the class will have the opportunity to take an early exam session (preappello). In this case, I will inform you as soon as possible on the technical details related to the actual execution of the exams, that you will do through the 'Composition' activity in the Moodle platform.

The course will analyze the development of democracy in the sub-continent, from the processes of democratization and democracy consolidation to more recent episodes of democratic crisis. In particular, we will examine the main concepts and theories elaborated to interpret the democratic and authoritarian experiences of the last decades, both worldwide and in the region. We will also review the historical roots of political regimes in the area, and appreciate their relevance for the future performance of local governments. Finally, we will discuss the influence of populism on democratic crises and analyze the vicissitudes of a few exemplary countries in both Central and South America, namely Mexico and Venezuela, and review the contribution of local civil society and parties to these political processes.

 

 

Smith, Peter and Cameron Sells. Democracy in Latin America: Political Change in Comparative Perspective. Oxford University Press, 2017. Selected chapters will be posted online by the Instructor.

Other class material will be suggested later.