PSCI 13
American First & Int'l Democracy Promotion: Democracy Promotion in US Foreign Policy & Int'l Devt. Winter 2020

This is not the current course catalog

Class Details

Beginning from modest, ad hoc efforts in the 1980s, international democracy promotion has evolved into an international norm and an influential subfield of international development assistance. Beyond rhetoric and high-level diplomacy, democracy promotion now encompasses technical advice and assistance to help build democratic institutions, support democratic actors, and encourage democratic development in other countries. The U.S. and other developed countries support ambitious programs to encourage democracy, good governance, and human rights, including efforts addressing elections, political parties, civil society, institutions of governance, and the rule of law. Funding and policy influence for these programs have grown dramatically over the past several decades. At the same time, the Trump Administration’s “America First” approach has raised questions about U.S. leadership in this field. This course integrates theory with analysis of current policy and practice. Drawing on political science concepts and practical experience, we will analyze and critique the design, theory of change, and implementation of international democracy programs. We will address what democracy promotion is, how democracy programs work, and whether they are effective. We will consider current trends and new challenges, including closing political space, conflict, violent extremism, and manipulation through social media as well as the changing U.S. role in the world. The course will also familiarize students with career opportunities in human rights, international development, and foreign policy. As the basis for class discussion and presentations, we will read selected materials from recent books, journal articles, published reports, and project documents as well as review film excerpts and consult on-line sources. The class will meet twice a week for three hours. As a final paper, students will prepare project proposals in response to actual U.S. government RFPs. Adjunct Instructor Bio: Eric Bjornlund, Williams ’80, is a lawyer and President of Democracy International. Over the past 30 years, he has designed, managed, evaluated and taught in democracy and governance programs in 70 countries. An adjunct professor at Georgetown University, he has also served as visiting scholar in Myanmar and guest lecturer at universities in the US and abroad. He is author of Beyond Free and Fair: Monitoring Elections and Building Democracy and holds a JD from Columbia and an MPA from Harvard. Xlist:
The Class: Format: lecture
Limit: 30
Grading: pass/fail only
Requirements/Evaluation: written project proposal in response to actual US government request for proposals (RFP)
Prerequisites: none
Enrollment Preferences: based on a paragraph about why you are interested, taking account of seniority
Materials/Lab Fee: $20 and cost of books

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