PLSC 220Politics of the Developing World

3 credits · Political Science · Penn State

The developing world refers to countries with a weak or emerging industrial economy; low per capita income; and low scores on measures of human well-being such as health, education, and human rights security. The developing world includes countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. It encompasses a large portion of the world's population and considerable diversity with respect to economic development, political systems, and social conditions. Developing countries often share a history of colonization and problems of poverty, inequality, authoritarianism, corruption, and political instability. This course focuses on the common patterns and differences among these countries in an effort to answer questions such as, Why do some countries develop robust economies and stable democracies while others do not? What is the connection between economic development and democracy? How do ethnic, religious, and cultural divisions interact with development? The course begins by introducing different ways of conceptualizing development. It describes the most prominent explanations of the differences between developing and developed countries and among developing countries. Students will learn the key domestic and international institutions and processes shaping political and economic development. They will explore the sources and consequences of democratization and authoritarianism, and consider the relationship between development and factors such as religion, ethnicity, and gender.