PSCI 327 The Global Politics of Development and Underdevelopment (Same as Environmental Studies 329) (Not offered 2006-2007; to be offered 2007-2008)*
Consider a photograph of the Earth at night taken from space. What will you
see? Great agglomerations of light in some parts of the world (North America,
Western Europe, parts of East Asia) contrasted with vast expanses of darkness in
other parts (much of Central and South America, Southeast Asia and nearly all
of Africa). This pattern of light and darkness depicts a vastly unequal global
distribution of technology, urban infrastructure, capital accumulation-in short,
the global patterns of development and underdevelopment. These areas are connected through commodity chains, capital mobility, migration, political
authority and the natural environment. So why are some areas light and other
dark?
This course focuses on the global factors influencing development and
underdevelopment, political-economic connections across national borders, and
the intersections of power, production and nature. We cover topics such as
theories of development and industrialization, urban-rural relations, urban bias
in development policy, industrial agriculture, global agricultural trade, food
security and hunger, international development organizations (WTO, World
Bank, UNCTAD, Food and Agriculture Organization), peasant rebellions,
`resource wars,' sustainable development and `eco-imperialism'.
Format: discussion. Requirements: several short (3-4 pp.) papers, one long
(10-12 pp.) paper, class participation
Prerequisites: Political Science 202 or Economics/Environmental Studies 234.
Enrollment limit: 19 (expected: 14).
International Relations Subfield