Political Science 797DM - ST-Contemp Rad Poli Theory

This seminar is located in contemporary political theory and envisioned as a theoretical and political examination of populism. By theoretical, I refer to the concepts, definitions, and logical sequences that are part of frameworks attempting to see the uniqueness of populism. These frameworks also aim at providing an analysis of the causes that give rise to populist projects. By political, I mean an analysis and discussion of the political forces, words, rhetorical devices, and policies that are salient traits of the interaction between groups and the state. The seminar consists of four main areas, loosely construed: frameworks, backgrounds, the liberal-democratic critique of populism, and populist manifestations, if any, in both policies and current events. The reading sequence begins with different interpretations, goes into the background represented by populist experiences in the United States and by social processes of displacement and disorientation, and moves into the liberal-democratic critique.

This course is open to Political Science Graduate students only.