Introduction to Power and Politics in Today’s World

 

  1. Introduction to the Topic: The lecture series explores power and politics in the world since 1989, which has been a period of significant change and upheaval.

  2. Comparison with Post-World War II Stability: The speaker contrasts the relative stability and prosperity of the post-World War II era with the tumultuous changes since 1989, particularly in advanced capitalist democracies.

  3. Impact of the Cold War: During the Cold War, stability was maintained despite conflicts like the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War, which were often viewed as distant by citizens of Western democracies.

  4. Acceleration of Change Since 1989: The period since 1989 has seen rapid and profound change globally, with the collapse of the Berlin Wall symbolizing the end of Soviet dominance in Eastern Europe.

  5. Democratization and Optimism: The early 1990s were marked by democratization movements across Eastern Europe, South Africa, and even progress in resolving long-standing conflicts like Israel-Palestine.

  6. Francis Fukuyama's "End of History" Thesis: Fukuyama's idea that liberal democracy was sweeping the world and would lead to a benign equilibrium reflected the widespread confidence in democratic capitalism during this period.

  7. Shifts in German Politics: The lecture then shifts to contemporary German politics, discussing the rise of the far-right Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) party and its electoral success in 2017.

  8. Angela Merkel's Coalition Challenges: Angela Merkel's attempt to form a coalition government with the Green Party and the Free Democrats is mentioned, highlighting the difficulty of reconciling differing political ideologies within a coalition.

    1. Shifts in German Politics: Despite initial struggles to form a coalition, Angela Merkel's party, the CDU, faced setbacks in regional elections. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) gained ground, leading to Merkel's announcement that she would step down as party leader and not run for office again after her term ends in 2021.

    2. Rise of Far-Right Parties Across Europe: The lecture highlights the broader trend of far-right and populist parties gaining support across Europe, including in countries like Austria, Belgium, Italy, and Sweden. This trend mirrors similar movements in Turkey, Latin America, and beyond.

    3. Concerns and Analogy to 1920s and 30s: The lecture draws parallels between the current rise of far-right parties and the instability of the 1920s and 30s, particularly in Germany. There is concern among some observers that the current political climate may lead to a replay of historical events.

    4. Global Political Shifts Since 2016: The lecture points out major political shocks since 2016, such as Brexit in the UK and Donald Trump's election as US president, which have disrupted establishment politics and led to the rise of populist movements worldwide.

    5. Central Questions of the Course: Despite the challenging political landscape, the lecture ends on a note of hope, emphasizing the central questions of the course: understanding the past, assessing current challenges and prospects, and exploring ways to move toward a better future.

      1. Integration of Political Science and Political Theory with History: The lecturer plans to approach the study of history using the tools of political science and political theory. This approach involves analyzing historical events with theoretical frameworks while also using history to challenge and refine political theories.

      2. Leveraging 1989 as a Natural Experiment: The events of 1989 provide a unique opportunity for social scientists to study a natural experiment. The lecturer highlights how this period introduces new data for testing theories and challenging conventional wisdom in fields like European democracies, modernization theory, and electoral systems.

      3. Keeping Political Science Honest with New Data: By examining the data generated by the events since 1989, the lecturer aims to keep political scientists honest in their analyses. This involves reassessing theories and empirical findings in light of new political realities and shifts.

      4. Normative Questions and Political Theory: The lecturer, being a political theorist, plans to incorporate normative questions into the analysis. However, the focus will be on practical implementation and feasibility rather than purely theoretical constructs.

      5. Exploring Paths Not Taken: Throughout the lectures, the lecturer intends to discuss alternative paths that could have been taken in history. This includes topics like NATO expansion, the Global War on Terror, and other significant political decisions that shaped the post-1989 world.

        1. The Politics of Economics: Rise of Neoliberalism and the Washington Consensus: This section delves into the rise of neoliberalism following the collapse of communism. It explores trade deregulation, privatization, and the spread of neoliberal policies globally through institutions like the World Bank and the IMF.

        2. The New Global Order and Democratization: The course examines whether democracy truly spread globally post-1989 and analyzes the development of international institutions like the International Criminal Court and the concept of the responsibility to protect, which challenges national sovereignty in cases of severe human rights violations.

        3. The End of the End of History: Emergence of the Global War on Terror and Resurgence of State Capitalism: This part explores the aftermath of 9/11, the global war on terror, and the resurgence of state capitalism in countries like China and Russia. It also addresses the role of business in global politics and the complexities of contemporary geopolitics.

        4. The New Politics of Insecurity: Response to the Financial Crisis: The section focuses on the response to the 2008 financial crisis, highlighting growing insecurity in the workforce and government bailouts that favored elites. It examines paths not taken in addressing economic insecurity and critiques government responses in various countries, particularly the US.

        5. What is to Be Done: The final part of the course explores solutions to the challenges posed throughout the previous sections. It considers potential paths forward, drawing on insights from political theory, political science, and historical analysis to propose strategies for addressing contemporary political and economic issues.

          1. Misdiagnosis of Voter Sentiment and Political Reforms: It will examine how political elites and parties failed to accurately gauge voter sentiment, leading to a lack of response to growing economic insecurity and, in some cases, implementation of reforms that exacerbated the situation.

          2. Economic Policies and Political System Reforms: This part will explore the economic policies pursued or neglected by governments and how political reforms over the past two decades may have worsened the economic situation.

          3. In summary, the next class will focus on the collapse of the Soviet Union, transitioning from Soviet Communism to what is often referred to as Russian gangster capitalism. The course will primarily cover post-1989 events, with a brief overview of the formation of the European Union, and will not delve extensively into pre-1989 history. The course requirements for papers and exams apply to both undergraduate and graduate students, with topics for papers being provided two weeks before they are due. The course is open to all students, and there are no limits on enrollment. The teaching style will be interactive, with opportunities for questions and discussions during lectures, which will not necessarily span the full duration of each session.

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