Precis This course examines leading issues in the politics of the developing world. Developing areas are home to 84 percent of the world's population but produce only 20 percent of the world's wealth, measured in terms of goods and services. Most of the current armed conflicts occur in the developing world. In this course, we will first explore the intertwined issue of state-building, nationalism, and democratization as they affect developing countries. Then, we will examine the causes and consequences of civil war and state failure for economic development. Next, we will focus on the challenges facing contemporary Iraq and Afghanistan, which are sites of civil conflict and ambitious state-and nation-building efforts. Last, we will examine the effects of globalization on the economic development. In geographic terms, the course will focus more on Asia, Africa, and the Middle East than on Latin America. Requirements All students must do the assigned reading. I reserve the right to distribute unannounced in-class quizzes on the assigned readings for the week. In addition to course readings, students should follow current events. The New York Times, The Washington Post or National Public Radio (NPR) news broadcasts (on WOI 640 AM and KTPR 91.1 FM) are excellent daily news sources. I will also post items on the course website. slides displayed in class, relevant links, and information about the course. There is a WebCT site as well. This will be used to post assigned articles, host a discussion forum, and post grades. Class Participation: All students should be prepared to participate in class discussions. Each student has a D as his or her default grade. If students participate well, their grades will be increased. Students who fail to participate or who do so poorly will get a D. I will call on students in class by name on a rotating basis. Responses to these questions count toward class participation. Participation is worth 10% of the course grade. Students are not expected to perform Periclean orations, but everyone should be prepared to discuss the assigned readings, current events, and question that I pose. Criticisms of points made in readings, by fellow students, and by yours truly are welcome, and debates may emerge among students. Students should respect their classmates' contributions, and refrain from partisan or parochial philippics. The purpose of these discussions is not to win imaginary debating points, but to learn beyond solitary reading and unexamined listening.