GV510-7-AU-CO:
Democracy, Violence, and Inequality in Latin America
2023/24
Government
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
15
12 May 2021
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
This module is an introduction to the politics of Latin America. Since independence in the 19th century, Latin American countries experienced decades of authoritarian rule. In the last 40 years, there have been significant efforts towards democratic governance with a number of important successes.
There remain, however, significant challenges to democratic consolidation throughout the region. Thus, this module centers on the following question: What are the challenges to democracy in Latin America and how do they prevent democratic consolidation? We will focus on a number of themes, specifically the politics of violence and inequality, and apply these themes to specific countries and current events to understand democratic challenges in the region today. By completing this course, you will be better prepared to tackle complex and important political, economic, and social questions in this dynamic region of the world.
The first portion of the module covers an introduction to Latin America's historical background, the structure of political institutions and governance. The second portion examines themes of inequality and violence, and their relationship to democracy, or lack thereof, in the region. The module covers country cases as well as past and present events unfolding in the region.
1. To provide students with a solid foundation of key political actors and institutions throughout the region
2. To present students with important theoretical and empirical political, economic, and social dynamics throughout several countries in Latin America
3. To engage knowledgeably and critically with political outcomes and current events in the region
4. To explain the factors that prevent democratic consolidation in the region
By following this module, students will gain the following skills:
1. Identify and employ appropriate material that contains required information and data.
2. Synthesize the obtained information to use it for relevant purposes (e.g., essays and discussions).
3. Formulate arguments clearly and coherently in both written and oral forms.
4. Explore complex social, economic, and political challenges and analyze their main characteristics, determinants, and consequences.
Weekly topics:
1. Latin America Overview: Central Themes and Historical Context
2. Dictatorships and Transition
3. Political Culture in Latin America
4. Populism, The Left and Patronage
5. Social Movements and Protests
6. Economic Development and Economic Inequality
7. The Informal Sector
8. Ethnic and Gender Inequality
9. Corruption and State Capacity
10. Narcos, Autodefensas, and Society
This module will be taught in a weekly 2-hour seminar. In the first part of the seminar, the module supervisor will present a lecture. The second part of the seminar is devoted to class discussion. Student participation in the second half of the seminar is absolutely crucial. Students are expected to do the required reading for each seminar and to be prepared to engage in discussion on this material.
-
Kline, H.F. and Wade, C.J. (eds) (2018h)
Latin American politics and development. Ninth edition. New York, NY: Westview Press. Available at:
http://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9780429495045.
-
-
Diamond, L.J. (1999b) Developing democracy: toward consolidation. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
-
-
‘Classifying Political Regimes in Latin America, 1945-1999.’ (2001)
Studies in Comparative International Development [Preprint]. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bsu&AN=5367629&site=eds-live.
-
Booth, J.A. and Seligson, M.A. (2009)
The legitimacy puzzle in Latin America: political support and democracy in eight nations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Available at:
https://www-cambridge-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/core/product/identifier/9780511818431/type/BOOK.
-
‘The return of populism’ (no date)
The Economist [Preprint]. Available at:
https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2006/04/12/the-return-of-populism.
-
Weyland, K. (2013) ‘The Threat from the Populist Left’,
Journal of Democracy, 24(3), pp. 18–32. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1353/jod.2013.0045.
-
Castaneda, Jorge G. (2006) ‘Latin America’s Left Turn’, 85(2006), pp. 28–442006. Available at:
https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/fora85&div=42.
-
-
Valenzuela, J.S. and Valenzuela, A. (1978) ‘Modernization and Dependency: Alternative Perspectives in the Study of Latin American Underdevelopment’,
Comparative Politics, 10(4). Available at:
https://doi.org/10.2307/421571.
-
‘The Lopsided Continent: Inequality in Latin America.’ (2003)
Annual Review of Sociology, 29(1), pp. 363–390. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bsu&AN=10878491&site=eds-live.
-
‘Gini back in the bottle’ (no date)
The Economist [Preprint]. Available at:
https://www.economist.com/special-report/2012/10/11/gini-back-in-the-bottle.
-
Holzner, C.A. (2010)
Poverty of Democracy: The Institutional Roots of Political Participation in Mexico. Pittsburgh, US: University of Pittsburgh Press. Available at:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/j.ctt6wrdtx.
-
‘Competing Perspectives on the Latin American Informal Sector’ (1993)
Population and Development Review [Preprint]. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsjsr&AN=edsjsr.10.2307.2938384&site=eds-live.
-
Soto, H. de (1989) The other path: the invisible revolution in the Third World. London: Tauris.
-
-
Van Cott, D.L. (2010) ‘Indigenous Peoples’ Politics in Latin America’,
Annual Review of Political Science, 13(1), pp. 385–405. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.polisci.032708.133003.
-
JANA MORGAN, MELISSA BUICE (2013) ‘Latin American Attitudes toward Women in Politics: The Influence of Elite Cues, Female Advancement, and Individual Characteristics’,
The American Political Science Review, 107(4), pp. 644–662. Available at:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/43654027.
-
Raúl L. Madrid (2008) ‘The Rise of Ethnopopulism in Latin America’,
World Politics, 60(3), pp. 475–508. Available at:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/40060205.
-
Friedman, E.J. (2009) ‘Gender, Sexuality and the Latin American Left: testing the transformation’,
Third World Quarterly, 30(2), pp. 415–433. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1080/01436590802681132.
-
Mexicans march against femicide after teen’s murder | Women’s Rights News | Al Jazeera (no date). Available at:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/9/18/mexicans-march-against-femicide-after-teens-murder.
-
Juliet Hooker (2005) ‘Indigenous Inclusion/Black Exclusion: Race, Ethnicity and Multicultural Citizenship in Latin America’,
Journal of Latin American Studies, 37(2), pp. 285–310. Available at:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/3875687.
-
Deborah J. Yashar (1998) ‘Contesting Citizenship: Indigenous Movements and Democracy in Latin America’,
Comparative Politics, 31(1), pp. 23–42. Available at:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/422104.
-
‘State Capacity in Latin America’ (2010)
Economía, 10(2), pp. 1–45. Available at:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/25800045.
-
Cullen S Hendrix (2010) ‘Measuring state capacity: Theoretical and empirical implications for the study of civil conflict’,
Measuring state capacity: Theoretical and empirical implications for the study of civil conflict, 47(3), pp. 273–285. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsjsr&AN=edsjsr.20752162&site=eds-live.
-
Weyland, K.G. (1998) ‘The Politics of Corruption in Latin America’,
Journal of Democracy, 9(2), pp. 108–121. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1353/jod.1998.0034.
-
‘Cleaning up Latin American democracy’ (no date)
The Economist [Preprint]. Available at:
https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2015/03/28/cleaning-up-latin-american-democracy.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Coursework |
Quiz 1 |
|
3.3% |
Coursework |
Quiz 2 |
|
3.3% |
Coursework |
Quiz 3 |
|
3.3% |
Coursework |
Quiz 4 |
|
3.3% |
Coursework |
Quiz 5 |
|
3.3% |
Coursework |
Quiz 6 |
|
3.3% |
Coursework |
Quiz 7 |
|
3.3% |
Coursework |
Quiz 8 |
|
3.3% |
Coursework |
Quiz 9 |
|
3.6% |
Coursework |
Test |
|
30% |
Coursework |
Essay |
|
40% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Ximena Velasco Guachalla, email: vv20291@essex.ac.uk.
Yes
Yes
No
Dr Damien Bol
King's College London
Senior Lecturer
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 20 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Government
Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can
be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements,
industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist
of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules.
The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.