POL 347 - Politics of International Development

Why are some countries rich and others poor? Scholars have debated this question for decades, offering a plethora of answers, ranging from international trade agreements to domestic political arrangements. We will begin with the thorny question of what is meant by “development.” We will evaluate theories of development and reflect on how development has been done in the global South over the past decades, and how emerging trends in the global economy challenge existing development paradigms. Throughout the course, we will examine the validity of global versus domestic explanations, and consider the roles of international institutions, global finance, trade networks, foreign governments, and domestic actors in fostering or hindering development.

Unit(s): 1
Group Distribution Requirement(s): Distribution Group II
Prerequisite(s): POL 220, POL 230, POL 240, or POL 260
Instructional Method: Conference
Grading Mode: Letter grading (A-F)
Group Distribution Learning Outcome(s):

Evaluate data and/or sources.
Analyze institutions, formations, languages, structures, or processes, whether social, political, religious, economic, cultural, intellectual or other.
Think in sophisticated ways about causation, social and/or historical change, human cognition, or the relationship between individuals and society, or engage with social, political, religious or economic theory in other areas.