IR/PO 353 - Populism and Neo-Populism: Latin American Politics in a Changing World

Welcome to Latin America: From State Building to Democratic Consolidation! The course will be framed in the context of the last 30 years (19802016). We will start by analyzing the state building process in Latin America and the differences with the American and European model. We will then devote a considerable amount of our time to other crucial questions such as the direction and pace of regime change in Latin America, and the relationship between democracy and development. We will also explore some of the most urgent challenges facing Latin American countries such as neopopulism, market reforms, and democratic consolidation. We will conclude the course with a discussion on the future of the state, democracy and development in the region.