1. Welcome to POLS 204! Introduction to Comparative Politics Prof. Susan Whiting

2. Introduction to Comparative Politics  Subfields of Political Science Comparative politics

3. Introduction to Comparative Politics  Subfields of Political Science Comparative politics  Political/economic phenomena within state boundaries  Countries other than our own  Comparison

4. Introduction to Comparative Politics  Most important comparative issue: DEVELOPMENT

5. Introduction to Comparative Politics  Development Economic aspects Political aspects

6. Introduction to Comparative Politics  Development Economic aspects  Wealth production  Provision of basic needs  Improvement in quality of life  Equality

7. Introduction to Comparative Politics  Development Political aspects  Maintenance of stability  State capacity to formulate and implement policy  Democracy

8. Introduction to Comparative Politics  This course will answer the following questions about development: Why are some countries rich and some countries poor? Why are some countries democratic and some authoritarian? Why are some countries stable and others wracked by violence?

9. Studying Comparative Politics

13. Introduction to Comparative Politics  We will study 4 important theories that claim to explain economic and political development Neo-liberalism Modernization Dependency Statism

14. Introduction to Comparative Politics  We will study 6 countries’ experiences with development Britain (United Kingdom) Japan Russia China Mexico Nigeria

15. Introduction to Comparative Politics: Exercise 1!  Label each country Britain Japan Russia China Mexico Nigeria  Circle label if 20 th C imperial power  Make two lists Rank countries by political freedom Rank countries by level of economic development

16. Introduction to Comparative Politics  Course website http://faculty.washington.edu/swhiting/pols204/