McGill University Winter 2022
POLI319: Politics of Latin America PRELIMINARY!
Professor: Alejandro Angel T Class meets: Tue & Thu 8h35 – 9h55
alejandro.angeltapias@mcgill.ca Class location: MCMED1027 a.angel.tapias@umontreal.ca Office hours: by appointment
Course description:
This course aims to introduce students to the evolving politics of Latin America. We will define and analyze key concepts and theories in political science and apply them to the study of the major political trends that have swept the region in the last century. The course will be divided in three blocks. The first will discuss major events in the political landscape of Latin America, such as the legacies of colonialism, the formation of the state, the inclusion of the masses, and the democratic breakdowns brought by the failure in doing so. The second block will delve into the experience of Latin America with democracy; from its complete absence during the authoritarian regimes, through the election of left-leaning governments several decades later. That block will include the transitions to democratic rule, the economic liberalization that new regimes implemented as well as some of the democratic institution built along the way. The third bloc will analyze contemporary challenges and developments of Latin American societies focusing on new forms of representation, the return of the right, as well as more perennial challenges such as the rule of law and poverty alleviation.
The class will meet twice a week, for one hour and a half each time, and will include three different kinds of activities: lectures, movies, and workshops. Participation during the lectures is encouraged.
Learning outcomes:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
• Understand key theoretical and empirical perspectives about political, social, economic, and institutional realities of Latin America
• Assess and analyze a variety of methodologies employed to study past and current events in Latin American politics and society.
• Develop writing skills to produce a well-documented research paper about a topic of interest in Latin American politics.
• Put into practice critical thinking skills to evaluate past and current events in Latin American politics and societies and express the product of these reflections whether orally or in writing.
Course requirements
Workshops 45% (15% X 3)
Research paper 35%
Draft (problem and hypothesis) 10%
Final paper 25%
Final Exam 20%
Workshops: Each workshop seek to close each of the blocks in which the course is divided. They will take into account all the topics and issues presented in the lectures, the reading materials, as well as the movies presented in each block. There will be groups of 6 people that will stage a debate (2 groups of 3 people) and will write the procedures of the debate. The instructor will go around the classroom animating the different debates within the groups.
Research paper: The final research paper should be around 3000 words (~10 pages). The topic should be chosen by each student according with their interests but a previous discussion with the instructor can be useful. A first draft including the problem and hypothesis should be submitted at mid-term and should be around 500 words (~2 pages). Both assignments must be submitted in hard copy as well as in MyCourses.
Final exam: The exam will be cumulative of all the readings, lectures, movies, and workshops and will be during the finals week.
Grades Numerical Scale of Grades A 85 – 100%
A- 80 – 84%
B+ 75 – 79%
B 70 – 74%
B- 65 – 69%
C+ 60 – 64%
C 55 – 59%
D 50 – 54%
F (Fail) 0 – 49%
Procedure for contesting grades
Students who wish to contest a grade for any assignment, must require it in writing (by email to the instructor) with the reasoning behind the request. Such request must be done within a week of receiving the grade. The instructor reserve the right to raise or lower the grade.
Policy for missed workshops or deadlines
If you are absent for any workshop, an alternative arrangement will be granted, provided that you document a medical or family emergency. Without a valid proof of your absence, you will receive an F for the missed workshop. If you submit your draft paper or your final research paper late, the penalty will be 10% per day, including weekends and holidays.
Language of submission
“In accord with McGill University’s Charter of Students’ Rights, students in this course have the right to submit in English or in French written work that is to be graded. This does not apply to courses in which acquiring proficiency in a language is one of the objectives.” (Approved by Senate on 21 January 2009)
« Conformément à la Charte des droits de l’étudiant de l’Université McGill, chaque étudiant a le droit de soumettre en français ou en anglais tout travail écrit devant être noté, sauf dans le cas des cours dont l’un des objets est la maîtrise d’une langue. » (Énoncé approuvé par le Sénat le 21 janvier 2009)
Academic integrity
“McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore, all students must understand the meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other academic offences under the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures” (Approved by Senate on 29 January 2003) (See McGill’s guide to academic honesty for more information).
« L'université McGill attache une haute importance à l’honnêteté académique. Il incombe par conséquent à tous les étudiants de comprendre ce que l'on entend par tricherie, plagiat et autres infractions académiques, ainsi que les conséquences que peuvent avoir de telles actions, selon le Code de conduite de l'étudiant et des procédures disciplinaires » (Énoncé approuvé par le Sénat le 29 janvier 2003) (pour de plus amples renseignements, veuillez consulter le guide pour l’honnêteté académique de McGill.)
Special needs
As the instructor of this course, I endeavor to provide an inclusive learning environment. However, if you experience barriers to learning in this course, do not hesitate to discuss them with me and/or the Office for Students with Disabilities.
Many students may face mental health challenges that can impact not only their academic success but also their ability to thrive in our campus community. Please reach out for support when you need it; many resources are available on-campus, off-campus, and online
Copyright
Instructor-generated course materials (e.g., handouts, notes, summaries, exam questions) are protected by law and may not be copied or distributed in any form or in any medium without
explicit permission of the instructor. Note that copyright infringements can be subject to follow- up by the University under the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures
Note: In the event of extraordinary circumstances beyond the University’s control, including those referring to public health, the content and/or evaluation scheme in this course is subject to change.
Schedule and reading assignments
January 6: Introduction
García Márquez, Gabriel. 1982. Nobel Lecture. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Prize
Outreach AB 2021. Fri. 26 Nov 2021.
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/literature/1982/marquez/lecture/
January 11: Colonial legacies
Mahoney, James. 2003. “Long-Run Development and the Legacy of Colonialism in Spanish America.” American Journal of Sociology 109(1): 50-106
Mahoney, James. 2012. Colonialism and Postcolonial Development: Spanish America in Comparative Perspective. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Chapter 1.
Recommended: Acemoglu, Daron, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson. 2001.
"The Colonial Origins of Comparative Development: An Empirical Investigation." American Economic Review 91 (5):1369-1401. doi:
10.1257/aer.91.5.1369.
January 13: Formation of the state
Soifer, Hillel. 2015. State Building in Latin America. New York: Cambridge University Press. Chapter 1.
Kurtz, Marcus J. 2013. Latin American State Building in Comparative Perspective.
Social Foundations of Institutional Order. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Chapters 1 and 2.
January 18: Incorporation
Collier, Ruth Berins, and David Collier. 1991. Shaping the Political Arena: Critical Junctures, the Labor Movement, and Regime Dynamics in Latin America.
Princeton: Princeton University Press. Overview and Chapter 2.
Weyland, Kurt. 2001. "Clarifying a Contested Concept: Populism in the Study of Latin American Politics." Comparative Politics 34 (1):1-22. doi: 10.2307/422412.
January 20: Movie: Herode’s Law (La ley de Herodes)
January 25: Failures of incorporation
Valenzuela, Arturo. 1978. “The Breakdown of Democratic Regimes. Chile.”
Chapter1 and 2.
Centeno, Miguel Angel. 1994. Democracy Within Reason. Technocratic Revolution in Mexico. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press. Chapter 3.
January 27: Democratic breakdown
Hirschman, Albert O. 1979. “The turn to authoritarianism in Latin America and the search for its economic determinants” In The New Authoritarianism in Latin America, edited by David Collier
Skidmore, Thomas E. 1967. Politics in Brazil, 1930-1964. An Experiment in Democracy. New York: Oxford University Press. Chapter 8.
February 1: Movie: The day that lasted 21 years (O dia que durou 21 anos)
February 3: WORKSHOP 1
February 8: Authoritarianism
Collier, David. 1979. "Overview of the Bureaucratic-Authoritarian Model." In The New Authoritarianism in Latin America, edited by David Collier, 19-32. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
O’Donnell, Guillermo. 1988. Bureaucratic Authoritarianism. Argentina, 1966- 1973 in Comparative Perspective. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
Chapters 1 and 2.
February 10: Transitions to democracy
O’Donnell, Guillermo and Philip C. Schmitter. 1986. Transitions from Authoritarian Rule : Tentative Conclusions about Uncertain Democracies. The Johns Hopkins University Press, pp. 3-48.
O'Donnell, Guillermo A. 1993. "On the State, Democratization and Some Conceptual Problems: A Latin American View with Glances at Some Postcommunist Countries." World Development 21 (8):1355-1369. doi:
10.1016/0305-750X(93)90048-E.
February 15: Movie: No!
Submission of first draft of the research paper.
February 17: Democratic institutions
Negretto, Gabriel L. 2013. Making Constitutions: Presidents, Parties, and Institutional Choice in Latin America. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Chapter 1.
Ugues, Antonio. 2018 “Public Perceptions of Clean Elections in Mexico: An Analysis of the 2000, 2006, and 2012 Elections,” Journal of Politics in Latin America, 10 (2): 77–98. doi: 10.1177/1866802X1801000203
Taylor, Matthew M. 2009. "Institutional Development through Policy-Making: A Case Study of the Brazilian Central Bank." World Politics 61 (3):487-515. doi:
10.1017/S0043887109000161.
February 22: Economic liberalization
Fanelli, José María, ed. 2007. Understanding Market Reforms in Latin America.
Similar Reforms, Diverse Constituencies, Varied Results. Houndmills, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Introduction
Murillo, M. Victoria. 2000. "From Populism to Neoliberalism: Labor Unions and Market Reforms in Latin America." World Politics 52 (2):135-174. doi:
10.1017/S0043887100002586.
February 24: The left turn
Levitsky, Steven, and Kenneth M. Roberts, eds. 2011. The Resurgence of the Latin American Left. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. Introduction
Weyland, Kurt, Raúl L. Madrid, and Wendy Hunter 2010. Leftist Governments in Latin America: Successes and Shortcomings. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Chapter 1.
Jon Beasley-Murray, Maxwell A Cameron & Eric Hershberg (2009) “Latin America's Left Turns: an introduction”, Third World Quarterly, 30 (2), pp. 319-330
March 1 & 3: STUDY BREAK
March 8: WORKSHOP 2
March 10: Presidentialism and Legislative institutions
Mello, Eduardo, and Matias Spektor. 2018. "Brazil: The Costs of Multiparty Presidentialism." Journal of Democracy 29 (2): 113-127.
doi:10.1353/jod.2018.0031.
Borges, Fabian A. 2019. “Debating Trade: The Legislative Politics of Free Trade Agreements in Latin America.” Government and Opposition 54 (2). Cambridge University Press: 336–64. doi:10.1017/gov.2017.28.
March 15: The rule of law
Schwartz, Rachel A. 2021. “How Predatory Informal Rules Outlast State Reform:
Evidence from Postauthoritarian Guatemala.” Latin American Politics and Society 63 (1): 48–71. doi:10.1017/lap.2020.32.
Carreras, Miguel. 2013. “The Impact of Criminal Violence On Regime Legitimacy In Latin America. Latin American Research Review, 48 (3): 85–107
March 17: Movie: Elite Squad (Tropa de elite) or Without a name (Sin nombre)
March 22: Ethnicity
Augsburger, Aaron. 2021. “The Plurinational State and Bolivia's Formación Abigarrada.” Third World Quarterly 42 (7): 1566–82.
Altmann, Philipp. 2017. “ ‘Sumak Kawsay’ as an Element of Local Decolonization in Ecuador.” Latin American Research Review, 52 (5): 749–759.
Jima-González, Alexandra. and Miguel Paradela-López. 2019. “The indigenous movement in Ecuador: Resource access and Rafael Correa’s citizens’ revolution.”
Canadian Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Studies/Revue canadienne des études latino-américaines et caraïbes, 44 (1): 1-21.
March 24: Gender
Reyes-Housholder, Catherine. 2018. “Women Mobilizing Women: Candidates’
Strategies for Winning the Presidency,” Journal of Politics in Latin America, 10 (1): 69–97. doi: 10.1177/1866802X1801000103.
Htun, Mala. 2016. Inclusion without Representation in Latin America. Gender Quotas and Ethnic Reservations. New York: Cambridge University Press. Chapter 3.
Recommended: Simmons, Beth A. 2009. Mobilizing for Human Rights : International Law in Domestic Politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Pp. 245-253.
March 29: Movie: Alias María
March 31: Poverty and its alleviation
Sugiyama, Natasha Borges and Wendy Hunter. 2013. “Whither Clientelism? Good Governance and Brazil’s Bolsa Familia Program” in Comparative Politics 46(1):
43-62.
Luccisano, Lucy and Laura MacDonald. 2012. “The Limits of Anti-Poverty Policy:
Citizenship, Accountability, and Semi-clientelism in Mexico’s Oportunidades Program” in Díez, Jordi and Susan Franceschet (eds.) Comparative Public Policy in Latin America. Toronto, ON: Toronto University Press, pp. 205-227.
Jenson, Jane, and Nora Nagels. 2018. "Social Policy Instruments in Motion.
Conditional Cash Transfers from Mexico to Peru." Social Policy & Administration 52 (1):323-342.
April 5: The return of the right
Corredor, Elizabeth S. 2021. “On the Strategic Uses of Women’s Rights: Backlash, Rights-Based Framing, and Anti-Gender Campaigns in Colombia’s 2016 Peace Agreement.” Latin American Politics and Society 63 (3). Cambridge University Press: 46–68. doi:10.1017/lap.2021.24.
Hunter, Wendy, and Timothy J. Power. 2019. "Bolsonaro and Brazil's Illiberal Backlash." Journal of Democracy 30 (1):68-82. doi: 10.1353/jod.2019.0005.
April 7: Conclusion No readings
Submission of the final research paper
April 12: WORKSHOP 3
Complementary readings
A good introduction to Latin America is provided in the book: Thomas Skidmore, Peter Smith, and J. Green. 2018. Modern Latin America, 9th. Edition, Oxford University Press.
In general, it is a good idea to be informed about the reality of Latin America through a periodic consultation to credible journalistic sources of different countries. A good source for English speakers is Latin American Weekly Report and Latin American Regional Report (Mexico, Caribbean, Southern Cone, Andes, etc), which are available at McGill library (through the use of VPN).
