pols 3406-globalization and political...

Robert W. Glover Globalization& Pol. Change

1

POLS 3406-Globalization and Political Change (2009 Summer Session II: July 13

th – August 21

st)

Instructor: Robert Glover Class Period: Mo/We 6-9:15 pm

Office Hours: Tu. 3-5 pm, Wed. 4-5:30 pm Classroom: BUSN 122

(or by prior appointment)

in Monteith 223

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (508) 801-9721

“It has been said that arguing against globalization is like arguing against the laws of gravity.”

-Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan

“From the suites of Davos to the streets of Seattle, there is a growing consensus that globalization

must now be reshaped to reflect values broader than simply the freedom of capital.”

-AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney

Overview: This course is an intensive examination of the cluster of the political, economic, cultural, and

technological processes commonly referred to as ‘globalization’. Though this has become a commonly used

idea in contemporary world politics, it is often poorly defined or underspecified. Critics go so far as to claim

that globalization is an illusion, a neutral word attached to processes of Western domination or the spread

of capitalism, in order to make them seem like unavoidable facts of social evolution rather than a set of

policies which can be re-defined and resisted. Yet at the same time, one does get the sense that we live in a

new era—one of increasing political integration, interdependence of our financial systems and economies,

new global challenges such as the environment and global migration, and new means of rapid global

communication such as the internet, e-mail, and cellular phones.

This class is an intensive introduction to the large and complex question of what we mean when we say

“globalization”. Is it new or have prior historical periods undergone similar trends? Is globalization truly

global or are significant areas of the world shut out? What are the forms globalization takes and what

political institutions govern these processes? Perhaps most importantly, is globalization something which

can be democratically governed? Towards this end, we look extensively at social movements, activists, and

transnational advocacy networks trying to alter the current path of globalization. As a resident of the United

States, a country with unrivalled economic, military, and political power in world affairs, you have a

potential role to play in shaping the future of global politics. But this role presupposes knowledge. This class

is designed to provide you with the intellectual foundations through which to rise to this challenge.

Student Participation: Students will be expected to attend every class having done the assigned reading and

prepared to discuss issues and ideas critically. I will post discussion questions on WebCT, designed to focus

your thinking about the material and provide a basis for our in-class discussions. Please consult these prior

to reading. Participation constitutes a significant percentage of your grade and I expect all of you to come to

class and participate. Also, remember that we are discussing complex issues which often have no simple

answers. Your fellow students may have wildly different perspectives than your own. However, you are

expected to maintain an attitude of respect and scholarly curiosity for all your fellow students, regardless of

however much you may disagree with them.


2

Grading & Requirements

• In-Class Participation 10%

• Mid-Term Exam 30%

• Film Review # 1 (3-4 pgs) 15%

• Film Review # 2 (3-4 pgs.) 15%

• Final Exam 30%

Required Readings (available at UCONN Co-op)

• Steger, Manfred B. 2003. Globalization: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford

University Press.

• Broad, Robin, ed. 2002. Global Backlash: Citizen Initiatives for a Just World Economy.

Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield.

• Other required readings will be available electronically on WebCT, or will be

photocopied and supplied by the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Connecticut requires me to state on the syllabus that any student engaged in

academic misconduct or dishonesty will be punished if caught. I consider this a formality, as most

you never have and never will engage in such behavior, and all of you ought to understand the

potential repercussions of any such action. Nevertheless, in the event that you are unfamiliar with

the University of Connecticut’s policies, here are the formal rules for such activity (from Appendix A

of the Student Code):

“A fundamental tenet of all educational institutions is academic honesty; academic work depends upon respect for and

acknowledgement of the research and ideas of others. Misrepresenting someone else’s work as one’s own is a serious

offense in any academic setting and it will not be condoned.

Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, providing or receiving assistance in a manner not authorized by the

instructor in the creation of work to be submitted for academic evaluation (e.g., papers, projects, and examinations);

any attempt to influence improperly (e.g., bribery, threats) any member of the faculty, staff, or administration of the

University in any matter pertaining to academics or research; presenting, as one’s own, the ideas or words of another

for academic evaluation; doing unauthorized academic work for which another person will receive credit or be

evaluated; and presenting the same or substantially the same papers or projects in two or more courses without the

explicit permission of the instructors involved.

A student who knowingly assists another student in committing an act of academic misconduct shall be equally

accountable for the violation, and shall be subject to the sanctions and other remedies described in The Student Code.”

Excused Absences/Late Assignments

Due to the compressed format and time-frame of this class it is important that you understand that

absences will impact your grade considerably. I understand that there may be emergencies which

arise and cause you to miss class, and that these cannot be helped. The only acceptable

justifications for your absence from class are a) a death in your immediate family, or b) a severe

personal accident or medical emergency. In either of these instances, I request that you notify me

personally of your situation and produce written confirmation from the Dean of Students office and

we will make arrangements accordingly.


3

Also, please note that I do not accept assignments submitted electronically. Any assignments which

you need to turn in must either be submitted to me personally or placed in my mailbox in Montieth

103. Assignments submitted after the deadlines without a documented excuse are subject to the

following point deductions:

-after initial time limit (-5) -one day late (-10)

-two days late (-20)

-NO ASSIGNMENTS ACCEPTED MORE THAN 2 CALENDAR DAYS LATE.

Class Schedule* Note: Titles under the heading “Reading” are to be read in advance of that day’s class.

July 13- Introduction to the Course & Each Other/What is Globalization?

Reading: No assigned reading for today’s class.

July 15- Making Sense of Globalization—Basic Concepts and Institutions

Reading:

• Steger, (Chapters 1, 3, 4, 6-8)

• Paul Hirst and Grahame Thompson. 2003. “Globalization—A Necessary Myth?”

in D. Held and A. McGrew. The Global Transformations Reader, (98-105).

• Leslie Sklair, 2008. “Sociology of the Global System” in The Globalization Reader.

F.J. Lechner and J. Boli ed. 62-69.

Note: This is the last day to register for the class or to drop the class without receiving a W.

The Hirst and Thompson and Sklair readings for today will be photocopied and

distributed on 7/13.

July 20- Making Sense of Globalization—Historical Overview & Critical Debates

Reading:

• Steger, Globalization, Chapter 2

• Broad, Global Backlash. (Part II—i.e. pages 65-114)

• Joseph Stiglitz, 2008. “Globalism’s Discontents” in The Globalization Reader. F.J.

Lechner and J. Boli ed. 208-216.

Note: Review sheet for midterm will be handed out by July 20th

at the latest. The Stiglitz

reading for today will be photocopied and distributed on 7/15.


4

July 22-Applying Social Movement Theory—The Basics, Part I

Reading: • Cyrus Ernesto Zirakzadeh, “Crossing Frontiers: Theoretical Innovations in the

Study of Social Movements.” International Political Science Review. 29(5).

(Read only 525-529).

• Doug McAdam, John D. McCarthy, and Mayer N. Zald, eds. 1996. Comparative

Perspective on Social Movements: Political Opportunities, Mobilizing

Structures, and Cultural Framings. (Chapter 6 & 11)

• Sydney Tarrow 1998. Power in Movement. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University

Press. (Chapters 6 & 8)

Note: The McAdam et al. and Tarrow readings for today will be photocopied and distributed

on 7/15. Zirakzadeh will be available on WebCT as a pdf.

July 27-Mid-Term Exam (6:00-7:15)

Applying Social Movement Theory—The Basics, Part II (7:30-9:15)

Reading: No assigned reading for today’s class.

July 29- Applying Theories of Transnational Advocacy Networks

Reading:

• Margaret E. Keck and Kathryn Sikkink. 1999. "Transnational Advocacy Networks

in International and Regional Politics." International Social Science Journal

159: 89-101.

• Sidney Tarrow. 2002. “From Lumping to Splitting: Specifying Globalization and

Resistance.” in Globalization and Resistance: Transnational Dimensions of

Social Movements. Jackie Smith and Hank Johnston. eds. Lanham, MD:

Rowman and Littlefield, 229-50.

•Richard Price. 2003. “Transnational Civil Society and Advocacy in World Politics.”

World Politics, 55 (4): 579-606.

Note: Keck and Sikkink as well as Price’s piece will be posted on WebCT, I will photocopy and

distribute Smith and Johnston on 7/27.

August 3- Film and Discussion--The Take (2004, Director: Avi Lewis, Writer: Naomi Klein 87

minutes, Barna Alper Productions)

Reading:

• Ranis, Peter. 2005. "Argentina's Worker-Occupied Factories and Enterprises."

Socialism and Democracy 19 (3): 93-115. (Posted on WebCT)

• Broad, Global Backlash, (Part 1: pages 13-25; 56-59.)


5

August 5-Globalization Contested—Action

Reading:

• Jessica Mathews 2003. “Power Shift.” in D. Held and A. McGrew. The Global

Transformations Reader, (204-212).

• Peter Evans. 2008. "Fighting Marginalization with Transnational Networks:

Counter-Hegemonic Globalization." in The Globalization Reader. F.J. Lechner

and J. Boli ed. 444-450.

• Broad, Global Backlash, Part V (pages 243-286).

Note: Mathews and Evans readings will be photocopied and distributed on 8/3.

August 10- Cautionary Perspectives on Protest and Global Civil Society

Reading:

• Rajesh Tandon. 2000. “Riding High or Nosediving: Development NGOs in the New

Millennium.” Development in Practice. 10 (3): 319-29.

• Paul Wapner. 2002. "Defending Accountability in NGOs." Chicago Journal of

International Law 3: 197-205.

• Michael Bond. 2008. "The Backlash against NGOs” in The Globalization Reader. F.J.


• Broad, Global Backlash, Part C.1 (pages 305-308).

Note: Film review # 1 on The Take is due at the start of class today. Tandon and Wapner’s

pieces will be available via Web CT. Bond will be photocopied and distributed on 8/5.

August 12- Film & Discussion: This Is What Democracy Looks Like (2000, Co-Directors: Jill Friedberg

and Rick Rowley, 72 minutes, Big Noise Films)

Reading:

• Jackie Smith. 2002. “Globalizing Resistance: The Battle for Seattle and the Future

of Social Movements” in Globalization and Resistance: Transnational

Dimensions of Social Movements. Jackie Smith and Hank Johnston. eds.

Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 207-28.

• Hertel, Shareen. 2005. "What Was All the Shouting About?: Strategic Bargaining

and Protest at the WTO Third Ministerial (Seattle, Washington USA 1999)."

Human Rights Review 6 (3): 102-18.

Note: Review sheet for Final will be handed out by August 13th

at the latest. Hertel’s piece

will be available via Husky CT. Smith’s piece will be photocopied and distributed on

8/12.


6

August 17- Proposals for Structural Reform & Conclusions

Reading:

• Dani Rodrik. 2001. "The Global Governance of Trade as if Development Actually

Mattered." United Nations Development Programme working paper.

(October)

• David Held. 2003. “Cosmpolitanism: Taming Globalization.” in D. Held and A.

McGrew. The Global Transformations Reader, (204-212).

• Gustavo Esteva and Madhu Suri Prakash. 2008. “From Global to Local: Beyond

Neoliberalism to the International of Hope.” in The Globalization Reader. F.J.


Note: Film review # 2 on This Is What Democracy Looks Like is due at the start of class

today. Rodrik’s piece will be available on WebCT. Held and Esteva & Prakash’s piece

will be photocopied and distributed on 8/12.

August 19- In-Class Final Exam.

Reading: No reading for today’s class.

Note: Final grades should be posted on Peoplesoft by August 22nd

. Students wishing to

know the individual breakdown of their final grade can contact me via email at

[email protected]

*All dates in class schedule are tentative and subject to change (with prior notice of course) at

my discretion.

pols 3406-globalization and political...

Documents