STV2310 - Politics and Development
Spring 2010, May 19
Answer 2 of the following 3 questions:
1) Discuss with references to the course literature (and if you so wish to lectures too) what aspects of colonial politics have affected today's post colonial governance in terms of, on the one hand, what Migdal calls 'local strongmen' and, on the other hand, what Sidel calls 'bossism'.
2) Present with references to the course literature (and if you so wish to lectures too) the argument in favour of building 'strong institutions ahead of democracy' and discuss for and against the argument.
3) Present and discuss the core arguments by Benedicte Bull, Harriss et.al (in the introduction the the Politicising Democracy volume), Webster et.al (in the Rethinking Popular Representation volume) and Törnquist (in both volumes) about why it has been so difficult for popular organisations and groups to make a major difference in the recent wave of crafting democracy and what could possibly be done.