The partial industrial transformation of a number of countries in Latin America has provoked a variety of responses. For some it has been a verification of their faith in the ability of world capitalism to raise the incomes of the poor. However, this generally optimistic, pro-capitalist outlook has been soured by two factors. The first is the rarity of the phenomenon - its limitation to relatively small sections of the world's population. The second is that each of them has, at different times and to different degrees, disappointed its supporters - ceasing to post high growth rates and even suffering major economic crises.

This course provides an overview of the transformation of four countries in Latin America - Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Brazil. However, it will not be primarily an economic history. Rather it will investigate the connections between local culture, social and political structures and rapid economic growth. A particular focus will be on the international political and economic circumstances in which these developments occurred. The developments will be placed in the context both of older industrialisations - particularly those which took place in Europe and Japan - and of the continuing poverty of "third world" societies today.

It is anticipated that students who successfully complete POLS2095 will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge of basic questions associated with the political economy of development, epseically the role of the state, culture and social class in economic development
• demonstrate knowledge of major development theory including modernisation theory, dependency theory, culturalist approaches, neoliberal theory and statist and neo-statist theory
• demonstrate basic knowledge of the postwar political eocnomy of Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Chile.
• demonstrate an ability to intervene in the major arguments surrounding the nature and foundations of development in this and other developing societies.
• construct sound arguments to justify their positions in relations to these arguments
• critically appraise the strengths and weaknesses of policy proposals about development in underdeveloped societies 
• communicate their understaing of the above through written analysis and/or verbal presentation

Assessment for this course will consist of  

either

a written essay of about 2,500 words (50% of the final mark) plus

a two-hour examination (50% of the final mark)

or

• a twenty minute presentation of development policy options, including an annotated bibliography and a Powerpoint presentation. The presentation will take the form of (a) a role play whereby you are giving a presentation suggesting a policy to a state-run development body, or (b) a general presentation related to essay questions The presentation will be videotaped. (50% of the final mark)

plus

a two-hour examination (50% of the final mark)

or

The development of a research proposal of about 2,500 words. The proposal should show that the research is worthwhile and viable, that the methods proposed to complete the research are appropriate, and the way in which the research question relates to the broader scholarly debate in the field. (50% of the final mark)

plus

a two-hour examination (50% of the final mark)

Expected - attendance and participation in a two hour lecture followed by a one-hour forum each week.

Voluntary - attendance and participation each in a three hour session which may include one of the following:

(i) a background lecture and discussion on matters related to but not essential to the course;

(ii) a film relevant to the course followed by discussion;

(iii) consultations to discuss essay topics.

Gilbert Rist, The History of Development: From Western Origins to Global Faith, London: Zed Boks, 1997

Linda Weiss and John Hobson, States and Economic Development, Cambridge: Polity Press, 1995

The Politics of Developmentalism, Houndsmills [U.K]: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006