Seminar: Comparative Politics of Post-communism

Application and testing of theories of democratization, economic reforms, state and nation-building, ethnic conflicts, and international influences on domestic politics through the exploration of divergent paths taken by the formerly communist states of East-Central Europe and the former Soviet Union since the collapse of communism. Due attention is paid to the main historical and contemporary developments, but the focus is on theoretical attempts to explain the different developmental trajectories upon which the post-communist states have embarked. Students research and write a major research paper. Recommendations: PS 021 or other comparative politics course, or consent.