This course examines the main features of the various political systems in Spain, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Central American countries and the Caribbean. We will analyze key concepts applicable to all these systems (democracy, rule of law, governability, supranational integration), with an overview followed by case studies. We will study in greater detail the Spanish political system, whose historical development and constitutional order will be thoroughly presented, as well as other interesting political systems such as those of Mexico, Argentina or Brazil. Students will have the opportunity to choose some countries, whose political systems will also be analyzed.
Prerequisites:
An interest in politics and in political comparisons between different countries.
Attendance policy:
Since IES courses are designed to take advantage of the unique contribution of the instructor and the lecture/discussion format is regarded as the primary mode of instruction, class attendance is mandatory.
Learning outcomes:
Through intense class discussion and debates, exams and written work, students will demonstrate the following:
The ability to assess the level of democratic quality of a political system, its adaptation to the principles of the Rule of Law, its governability and integration into an international situation.
Having acquired complete and updated knowledge of the history and present situation of the Spanish political system, including its main characteristics and problems in need of solutions. With this they will be able to demonstrate the ability to understand the current Spanish situation and part of the European situation with better judgment.
Having acquired these capabilities, to a lesser extent, regarding various Latin American political systems, with more emphasis on those of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia or Mexico.
Being prepared to follow the political, economic and social reality of the political systems in Spain and in Latin America.
Method of presentation:
Lectures, student presentations, field study activities. Moodle will be used as a complementary tool to facilitate access to documents and links related to the institutions that are analyzed in class.
Required work and form of assessment:
• Mid-term exam (20%): will include any topic studied in class; it will consist of one essay question.
• Final exam (20%): will include any topic studied in class; it will consist of one essay question.
• Student presentation (10%): students will have to prepare an oral presentation on a Spanish or Latin American political issue. It should include the following: a summary of the main topics covered in the presentation; a line of argument establishing the relation between their presentation and the topics studied in this course; and, lastly, some questions for class discussion. Students must provide their classmates with a one-page outline of their presentation.
• Research paper (20%): an essay of 3000 words minimum, with 1.5 line spacing, and including bibliography at the end.
• Participation (30%): Press review – students must read daily or weekly either Spanish or Latin American newspapers, through the Internet or making use of the newspapers available for them in the IES Abroad Salamanca Center.
content:
Session 1: Introduction to the key concepts related to political systems and method of presentation.
Session 5: Globalization. Required reading: Information regarding “Tratado de Libre Comercio”.
Session 6: Class discussion on key concepts.
Session 7: Historical development of the Spanish political system. Required reading: POWELL, La Democracia en España, 2003.
Session 8: Constitutional Order in Spain (I). Required reading: GARCÍA MORILLO, La Democracia en España, 2000 (Introduction).
Session 9: Consititutional Order in Spain (I). Required reading: GARCÍA MORILLO, La Democracia en España, 2000 (chapters on Government and General Courts).
Session 10: Constitutional Order in Spain (I). Required reading: GARCÍA MORILLO, La Democracia en España, 2000 (chapters on Judicial Power and Autonomous States).
Session 11: Mid-term exam.
Session 12: Political system in Mexico. Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999 (chapter on Mexico).
Session 13: Video on the problems of the political system in Mexico. Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999 (chapter on Mexico).
Session 14: Field study activity.
Session 15: Class discussion on the problems of the Mexican political system.
Session 16: Political systems in Central America. Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999.
Session 17: Political systems in Central America. Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999.
Session 18: Political systems in Central America. Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999.
Session 19: Political systems in Central America. Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999.
Session 20: Political system in Colombia. Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999 (chapter on Colombia).
Session 21: Political system in Argentina. Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999 (chapter on Argentina).
Session 22: Political system in Brazil. Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999 (chapter on Brazil).
Session 23: Political system in Brazil. Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999 (chapter on Brazil).
Required readings:
ALCÁNTARA, Manuel. Sistemas políticos de América Latina. Madrid: Tecnos, 1999 (2 vols.).
BERDUGO, Ignacio, and Ricardo RIVERO ORTEGA. El Estado de Derecho Latinoamericano. Salamanca: Universidad de Salamanca, 2003.
GARCÍA MORILLO, Joaquín. La Democracia en España. Madrid: Alianza, 2000.
POWELL. España en Democracia (1975-2000). Madrid: Plaza y Janés, 2001.
Recommended readings:
RIVERO ORTEGA, Ricardo. Instituciones administrativas, desarrollo y control de la corrupción. Granada: Unión Iberoamericana de Municipalistas, 2005.
Political Systems In Spain And Latin America
This course examines the main features of the various political systems in Spain, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Central American countries and the Caribbean. We will analyze key concepts applicable to all these systems (democracy, rule of law, governability, supranational integration), with an overview followed by case studies. We will study in greater detail the Spanish political system, whose historical development and constitutional order will be thoroughly presented, as well as other interesting political systems such as those of Mexico, Argentina or Brazil. Students will have the opportunity to choose some countries, whose political systems will also be analyzed.
An interest in politics and in political comparisons between different countries.
Since IES courses are designed to take advantage of the unique contribution of the instructor and the lecture/discussion format is regarded as the primary mode of instruction, class attendance is mandatory.
Through intense class discussion and debates, exams and written work, students will demonstrate the following:
Lectures, student presentations, field study activities. Moodle will be used as a complementary tool to facilitate access to documents and links related to the institutions that are analyzed in class.
• Mid-term exam (20%): will include any topic studied in class; it will consist of one essay question.
• Final exam (20%): will include any topic studied in class; it will consist of one essay question.
• Student presentation (10%): students will have to prepare an oral presentation on a Spanish or Latin American political issue. It should include the following: a summary of the main topics covered in the presentation; a line of argument establishing the relation between their presentation and the topics studied in this course; and, lastly, some questions for class discussion. Students must provide their classmates with a one-page outline of their presentation.
• Research paper (20%): an essay of 3000 words minimum, with 1.5 line spacing, and including bibliography at the end.
• Participation (30%): Press review – students must read daily or weekly either Spanish or Latin American newspapers, through the Internet or making use of the newspapers available for them in the IES Abroad Salamanca Center.
Session 1: Introduction to the key concepts related to political systems and method of presentation.
Session 2: Democracy.
Required reading: Carta Deomocrática Interamericana.
Session 3: Rule of Law.
Required reading: Preface and article 1 of the Spanish Constitution.
Session 4: Governability.
Required reading: Carta Deomocrática Interamericana.
Session 5: Globalization.
Required reading: Information regarding “Tratado de Libre Comercio”.
Session 6: Class discussion on key concepts.
Session 7: Historical development of the Spanish political system.
Required reading: POWELL, La Democracia en España, 2003.
Session 8: Constitutional Order in Spain (I).
Required reading: GARCÍA MORILLO, La Democracia en España, 2000 (Introduction).
Session 9: Consititutional Order in Spain (I).
Required reading: GARCÍA MORILLO, La Democracia en España, 2000 (chapters on Government and General Courts).
Session 10: Constitutional Order in Spain (I).
Required reading: GARCÍA MORILLO, La Democracia en España, 2000 (chapters on Judicial Power and Autonomous States).
Session 11: Mid-term exam.
Session 12: Political system in Mexico.
Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999 (chapter on Mexico).
Session 13: Video on the problems of the political system in Mexico.
Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999 (chapter on Mexico).
Session 14: Field study activity.
Session 15: Class discussion on the problems of the Mexican political system.
Session 16: Political systems in Central America.
Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999.
Session 17: Political systems in Central America.
Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999.
Session 18: Political systems in Central America.
Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999.
Session 19: Political systems in Central America.
Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999.
Session 20: Political system in Colombia.
Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999 (chapter on Colombia).
Session 21: Political system in Argentina.
Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999 (chapter on Argentina).
Session 22: Political system in Brazil.
Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999 (chapter on Brazil).
Session 23: Political system in Brazil.
Required reading: ALCÁNTARA, Sistemas políticos de América latina, 1999 (chapter on Brazil).
ALCÁNTARA, Manuel. Sistemas políticos de América Latina. Madrid: Tecnos, 1999 (2 vols.).
BERDUGO, Ignacio, and Ricardo RIVERO ORTEGA. El Estado de Derecho Latinoamericano. Salamanca: Universidad de Salamanca, 2003.
GARCÍA MORILLO, Joaquín. La Democracia en España. Madrid: Alianza, 2000.
POWELL. España en Democracia (1975-2000). Madrid: Plaza y Janés, 2001.
RIVERO ORTEGA, Ricardo. Instituciones administrativas, desarrollo y control de la corrupción. Granada: Unión Iberoamericana de Municipalistas, 2005.