Understanding Democracy and Violence in Latin America. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours

Catalog description

Prerequisite: GLA 1013 or POL 1013 . Democracy is considered to be the only type of government capable of regulating conflicts in a peaceful way. Yet extensive evidence from Latin America suggests that democratization and democratic institutions have oftentimes been accompanied by protracted conflicts and large-scale violence. Under what conditions does democracy promote peace or lead to violent outcomes? The aim of this course is to understand the links between elections and violence, the role of iron-fist policies in democracies, the delegation of violence to paramilitaries and private armies, and the role of political parties in producing such violence. The course will also explore how the implementation of security sector reforms and transitional justice mechanisms can help avoid major outbreaks of violence. (Same as POL 4043 . Credit cannot be earned for both POL 4043 and GLA 4043 .). Course Fees: LRLF $10.27; STLF $18.48.