PART A:
1. Economic Policy Systems: States have developed systems of basic economic policies like taxes, spending, and regulations.
a) Compare and contrast the economic policies of welfare states (Germany) and a liberal market economy (Brazil) and identify their main differences.
b) What are the basic features of health and social policies in these countries?
c) What are the pros and cons of the ‘welfare state' vs. the ‘developmental state' approaches to economic policy?
2. Globalization and development: Globalization has transformed economic and political relationships in states over the last 40 years.
a) Describe and explain the main features of globalization and the main consequences (both positive and negative) of this process.
b) Compare China and India and identify how they have had different experiences with globalization.
c) What policies have led to success in achieving growth and development? What obstacles stand in the way of each of these countries?
PART B:
1. Political Institutions: Institutions have important effects on politics in democracies. Using a comparison of the UK and Brazil, discuss the impact of the parliamentary and presidential system on politics.
a) What are the main differences in the way that these institutions function in practice?
b) What factors affect the power of the executives (prime ministers and presidents), and how are elected officials held accountable and in each country?
c) How do differences in the number of veto points affect how policy is made?
2. Elections and Parties: You have been asked to assist in designing a constitution for a new democracy in a poor developing country. There has been little experience of democracy, but a number of political movements and parties have emerged and support the creation of a viable democracy. There is, however, a history of violent political competition between groups across the country. Provide a justification for why this country should adopt either a ‘single member district/simple majority' or a ‘proportional representation' election system.
a) Describe each system, and explain the impact on politics, and pros and cons of each option, given the particular conditions in the country.
b) Use examples from specific countries that use these election systems (e.g. UK and Brazil) to support your arguments.
PART C:
1. Federalism: What are the main similarities and differences in the operation of federalism in India, Russia and Brazil? What are the pros and cons of introducing a federal or decentralized administration for a newly democratic developing country? What are the most important lessons that newly democratic countries could learn from the Indian, Russian and Brazilian cases about the organization of federalism?
2. Institutions in Africa: Use the article by Prempeh (2008) to discuss the problems of democratic institutions and participation in Africa. What are the obstacles to maintaining the separation of powers and checks and balances in the presidential system? What is the role of the legislature, the judiciary and political parties in these new democracies? What are the most important lessons that we can learn about the role of institutions in new democracies from this article?