PS 134AA: Comparative Politics of Latin America Study Guide Spring 2014

FINAL EXAMINATION In class time, 5:00-7:50 p.m. Wednesday June 4 7:00-10:00 p.m. Friday June 13 [we assume that you will take the in-class exam unless you notify Kathryn Dove via by 4:30 p.m. on May 28] Closed book exam No cell phones, I-pods, whatever Coverage: cumulative--entire course, but with emphasis on second half Bring blue books and writing materials

FILMS AND VIDEOS: 1.“The Battle for Chile” 2.“No” [Chile] 2. “Garden of the Forking Paths” [Argentina] 3. “In Women’s Hands” [Chile]

BASIC TEXTS Smith, Democracy in Latin America: Political Change in Comparative Perspective, 2 nd edition (2012), entire Skidmore, Smith, and Green, Modern Latin America (2014), virtually all

ADDITIONAL READINGS Magaloni, “Demise of Mexico’s One-Party System” Htun, “Women and Democracy”

COUNTRY BRIEFS Chile (PHS) Mexico (Falco) Brazil (Cunow) Argentina (Saiegh) El Salvador (Denny) Venezuela (PHS, sort of)

STRUCTURE OF EXAM PART I. DISCUSSION ITEMS [approximately 10 out of 13] PART II. SHORT ESSAYS [some choice available] PART III. LONG ESSAY [one out of two or three]

SAMPLE IDENTIFICATION ITEMS Closed list Concertación Bureaucratic-Authoritarian Regime Evo Morales Partido dos Trabalhadores (PT) “Aló, Presidente” Partido Justicialista/Justicialist Party Jorge Eliecer Gaitán Lula COPEI Washington Consensus

SHORT ESSAY TOPICS 1.Has the political condition of Latin American women improved under electoral democracy? In what ways? To what degree? 2. What accounts for the decline in revolutionary activity in Latin America from the 1950s to the present? 3. What explains the durability of contemporary democracy in Argentina and Brazil? 4. What are the defining characteristics of the recent “pink wave” in Latin American politics? Do you think that it is likely to endure? Why or why not?

LONG ESSAY QUESTIONS 1.It has been said that dysfunctional (non-functioning) channels of popular representation represent the most serious challenges to democratic development in Latin America. Do you agree with this assessment? Why? Why not? 2.Is “illiberal democracy” the future of Latin American politics? Present arguments for and against this idea. Which side do you favor and why? 3.Describe and analyze processes of democratization in Latin America during the course of the twentieth century. How has democracy changed over time? What have become its defining characteristics? 4.Design a question that, in your view, captures a central theme of the course. Explain why you think it is significant, then proceed to answer it.