Politics in Sub-Saharan Africa (Pols 177A) Spring 2012 Instructor: Peter VonDoepp

Politics in Sub-Saharan Africa (Pols 177A)
Spring 2012
Instructor: Peter VonDoepp
Office: Old Mill 535
Phone: 656-4451
Office Hours: Wed 2:00-4:00, Thurs 12:00-2:00
Email: [email protected]
Time: MWF 12:50-1:40
Place: Lafayette L302
OVERVIEW
The purpose of this class is twofold. In the first place, it will expose students to the diverse
mosaic of political and social life in Africa. As Americans, we tend to have remarkably limited
knowledge about the continent of Africa. What we do know comes from films and sensationalist
television journalism that present the image of a continent marred by famine, civil conflict, and
military rulers. To be sure, this image conveys some element of truth. But Africa is also a
continent of large modern cities with reputable universities, admirable leaders who have brought
political stability to their countries, and rich traditions of political and cultural innovation.
In the second place, our task in this class is to develop an understanding of the factors shaping
the character of African politics. Why has stability been such challenge in African polities?
What are the reasons for development success and failure? What are the prospects for
democracy? In answering these questions, we will examine Africa’s historical experiences, its
economic heritage, and the international context in which it is embedded. At the same time, we
will explore how Africans have responded to unique circumstances to shape their own political
and economic situations.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
This is a readings-intensive course. Students are expected to keep up with assigned readings and
come to class prepared to discuss them. Attendance is required and active participation is
expected. Together these account for 5 percent of the final course grade.
There will be two tests during the course of the semester and a final at the end of the term. The
dates for these tests are listed on the course outline. The two tests during the course of the
semester will each count for 20 percent of your course grade. The final will count for 25 percent
of that grade.
Students will also write two brief reviews of articles we will be covering in class. Articles that
are indicated in bold on the syllabus are eligible for review. Six articles are eligible, so students
will need to be selective about which material they choose to review. Each of these reviews is
worth 5 percent, making this portion of the coursework worth an overall total of 10 percent.
Finally, students will write one research paper for the course. This should be about twelve to
fifteen pages in length. Students will select their own topic, approved by the instructor. Three
elements of this paper will be graded: topic statements, preliminary outlines, and final
drafts. All must be handed in to pass the class. The topic statement is due on February 27,
along with a short bibliography. The preliminary outline of the paper is due on April 13. The
final paper (worth 20 percent of the overall grade) is due in class on April 30. Suggested topics
will be provided in the first few weeks of class.
COURSE MATERIAL
*Alex Thomson, An Introduction to African Politics,3nd Edition (New York: Routledge, 2010)
*Adu Boahen, African Perspectives on Colonialism (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins, 1987)
*Pierre Englebert, Africa: Unity, Sovereignty, and Sorrow (Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner, 2009)
*Aili Tripp, Museveni’s Uganda: Paradoxes of Power in a Hybrid Regime (Boulder, CO: Lynne
Rienner, 2010)
Please note as well, many items on the syllabus will be available on the class Blackboard page.
COURSE POLICIES
Students are expected to arrive in class on time each day. Late papers will be penalized. Exam
make-ups will be allowed only for medical reasons or family emergencies. In all cases of late
papers or missed exams you should: a) come see me about the problem (when possible
beforehand) and b) provide documentation regarding the nature of the problem.
CLASSROOM PROTOCOL
The Department of Political Science requires that this classroom protocol, defining minimum
standards of conduct, be included in all syllabi of political science classes.
1. Students are expected to attend and be prepared for ALL regularly scheduled classes.
2. Students are expected to arrive on time and stay in class until the class period ends. If a
students knows in advance that s/he will need to leave early, s/he should notify the instructor
before the class period begins.
3. Students are expected to treat faculty and fellow students with respect. For example, students
must not disrupt class by leaving and reentering during class, must not distract class by making
noise, and must be attentive to comments being made by the instructors and by peers.
4. Religious Holidays: Students have the right to practice the religion of their choice. Each
semester students should submit in writing to their instructors by the end of the second full week
of classes their documented religious holiday schedule for the semester. Faculty must permit
students who miss work for the purpose of religious observance to make up this work.
COURSE OUTLINE
I. Theoretical and Historical Perspectives
DATE
Jan 18
TOPIC
Introduction
Jan 20
Problems in Post-Colonial
Africa
Jan 23
Pre-Colonial History/
Colonialism
Jan 25
Colonialism
Jan 27
Colonialism and
Decolonization
Colonial Legacies
Jan 30
ASSIGNMENT
-Thomson, Chapter 1;
-Radalet, “Success Stories from Emerging Africa” (BB);
-Boahen, Chapter 1.
-Thomson, pp. 8-12;
-Boahen, Chapter 2.
-Mamdani, Citizen and Subject, pp. 52-61 (BB);
-Video, “The Magnificent African Cake” (BB).
-Boahen, Chapter 3;
-Video, “The Rise of Nationalism” (BB).
-Thomson, pp. 12-23 and 32-38;
-Boahen, Chapter 4.
II. Weak States and Post-Colonial Governance
Feb 1
Patterns in Post-Colonial
Governance
Feb 3
The Weak State and Personal Rule
Feb 6
Weak State Regimes
Feb 8
Feb 10
Military Intervention, Corruption
and Stability
Politics and Economic Decline
Feb 13
Social Responses and Civil Society
-Thomson, Chapter 6, up to page 117;
-Ayittey, “The March Toward Tyranny” (BB).
-Jackson and Rosberg, “The Marginality of
African States” (BB);
-Thomson, pp. 117-123.
-Thomson, pp. 38-55;
-Thomson, Chapter 7, up to page 141.
-Arriola, “Patronage and Political Stability in
Africa” (BB).
-Sandbrook, “The State and Economic
Stagnation in Tropical Africa” (BB).
-Thomson, Chapter 10, pp. 215-227.
Feb 15
Democratic Impulses
-Thomson, pp. 243-251.
Feb 17
TEST 1
STUDY
III. Democracy and Authoritarianism
Feb 22
Democracy’s Challenges -Posner and Young, “The Institutionalization of Political
Power in Africa” (BB);
-Prempeh, “Presidents Untamed” (BB).
Feb 24
Democratic Survival
-Kirschke, “Semipresidentialism and the Perils of PowerTheorized
Sharing in Neopatrimonial States” (BB).
Feb 27
Democratic Survival and
Weakening in Malawi
Feb 29
Democratic Success in
Benin
Authoritarianism
Theorized
The Case of Equatorial
Guinea
Mar 2
Mar 12
-VonDoepp, “The Survival of Malawi’s Enfeebled
Democracy” (BB);
-VonDoepp, “Governance Trends in Malawi” (BB).
PAPER TOPIC DUE
-Gisselquist, “Democratic Transition and Democratic Survival
in Benin” (BB).
-Jensen and Wantchekon, “Resource Wealth and Political
Regimes in Africa” (BB).
-Frynas, “The Oil Boom in Equatorial Guinea” (BB);
-Freedom House, “Country Report: Equatorial Guinea” (BB).
Mar 14
-Tripp, Chapters 1 and 2.
Mar 16
Semi-Authoritarianism
Theorized
The Case of Uganda
Mar 19
The Case of Uganda
-Tripp, Chapter 6.
Mar 21
The Case of Uganda
-Tripp, Chapters 7 and 8.
IV. Development
Mar 23
Development Theorized
-Tripp. Chapter 4.
Mar 26
Development Policies
Mar 28
Development and
Governance
-Hyden, African Politics in Comparative Perspective, pp.
116-129 and 143-146 (BB).
-Thomson, Chapter 9;
-Hyden, African Politics in Comparative Perspective, pp.
129-137 (BB).
-Rotberg, “Strengthening Governance… ” (BB);
-The Economist, The Road to Hell is Unpaved” (BB).
Mar 30
Development and
Governance
TEST 2
-Kaufmann, “Governance Matters” (BB);
-Lewis, “African Economies’ New Resilience” (BB).
STUDY
Apr 2
V. Ethnicity
Apr 4
Ethnicity Theorized
Apr 6
Apr 9
Apr 11
Ethnicity: The Case of
Rwanda
Ethnicity and Political
Loyalties
Ethnicity and Democracy
VI. Weak States and Sub-Nationalism
Apr 13
Weak States and SubNationalism
Apr 16
Weak States and SubNationalism
Apr 18
Weak States and SubNationalism
Apr 20
Weak States and SubNationalism
VII. Civil Conflict
Apr 23
Civil Conflict Theorized
Apr 25
The Case of Congo
Apr 27
The Case of Congo
Apr 30
The Case of Congo
May 2
The Case of Congo
FINAL: Monday, May 7, 1:30-4:15.
-Thomson, pp. 60-68.
-Gourevitch, We Wish to Inform You, pp. 47-62 (ER).
-Posner, “Regime Change and Ethnic Cleavages in
Africa” (BB).
-TBA
-Englebert, Chapters 1 and 2.
PAPER OUTLINE DUE
-Englebert, Chapter 4.
-Englebert, Chapter 5, pp. 99-35.
-Englebert, Chapter 8.
-Ross “How Do Natural Resources Influence Civil War?
Evidence from Thirteen Cases” (BB).
-Lemarchand, “The Democratic Republic of Congo: From
Failure to Potential Reconstruction” (BB).
-Nest, “ The Political Economy of the Congo War” (BB);
-Video: “Congo’s Tin Soldiers” (BB).
-TBA
PAPER DUE
-Turner, “Kabila’s Congo: Hardly Post-Conflict” (BB).