DVST9034 The Politics of the Global South: From Bullets to Ballot Box and back

Associate Professor Yvonne Corcoran-Nantes

2012

4.5

1 x 50-minute lecture weekly
1 x 50-minute tutorial weekly

DVST2006 has been successfully completed

Graduate Certificate in International Development; Graduate Diploma in International Development, Graduate Diploma in Asian Governance; Master of Arts (International Development) by coursework

This topic provides an introduction to the political history and development of non western countries located in the Global South. The principal objective of the topic will be to analyse how the general characteristics which Third World societies share combine with the distinctive features they individually have to produce particular patterns of political development in specific societies. This topic offers an introduction to the nature of the politics of 'Third World' states which emerged out of colonial rule in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The comparative experience of the countries within these regions will be taken into account at various stages of the topic. It seeks to raise the key issues which face these states in the twenty-first century and which influence their efforts to overcome underdevelopment. The major issues which will be examined are: the politics of decolonisation, ethnicity and ethnic conflict, nationalist and independence movements, gender and global politics, authoritarianism, socialism, forms of democratisation, the politics of aid and environmental politics.

To provide an overview of the various academic debates surrounding the politics of the Global South and it influence and relevance in the broader remit of world political conflicts and debates
To explore the theoretical and practical dimensions of the politics of developing countries in an international context within which the role of the nation states is subject to significant pressure from both within and across all regions
To consider the gender dimensions of the politics of the global south and investigate the role of women in the public/political domain
To examine some the most important contemporary political issues facing the world today from the perspective of the Global South and the implications and outcomes for the future development of the region.

Understand and relate to issues pertaining to the Politics of the South
To critically evaluate the main theories and modes of explanation for the diversity of political contexts and experiences of non western societies
To research political issues related to international development and contemporary international politics and present findings verbally and in written form, in accordance with good scholarly practice
To identify and demonstrate the ways in which non-western nations and peoples are empowered and disempowered in culturally specific political circumstances both within nations and beyond national borders
Undertake an independent research project on a substantive issue, encompassed within this topic, pursuant to the specific interest of the student

Key dates and timetable

Timetable details for 2012 are no longer published.

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