Political Science 335-01

Western European Politics and Government

Longwood University

Spring 2008

 

Instructor: Scott Cole, Ph.D.                                                  

Office: 235 Ruffner Hall                                                        

Office hours: MW 8-9 am; TR 3:30-4:30 pm (others by appointment)                      

Phone: 2526

Email: colens@longwood.edu

Class day/times/room: TR 2:00-3:15, Ruffner 256

 

Course Description

 

From the catalogue: “An examination of the political systems of Western Europe, with in-depth analyses of Great Britain, France, and Germany.  Issues like social democracy, gendered politics, right-wing extremism, and the European Union are explored as causes of political change and continuity in Europe.” 

 

Americans should seek to understand European politics for several reasons.  First, the “war on terror” is intertwined with developments in Western Europe.  Specifically, migrants from Africa and the Middle East, many of them Muslim, are attracted to Europe as they search for employment opportunities.  As a result of their contact with the West, some of these people are becoming radicalized and joining terrorist networks.  Remember that many of the 9/11 hijackers were living in Hamburg, Germany, prior to 2001.  To understanding the causes of terrorism, therefore, it is necessary for Americans to comprehend immigration trends in Europe and how this impacts US security.  Second, Europe is an important region to study because it represents a counterweight to the United States in the international arena.  While the European Union has not completely united its members in a single political mission, the twenty seven nations that are part of the EU have the ability to resist US hegemony.  In addition to this, many of Europe’s countries, such as Britain, Germany, and France, have been world leaders in the past, which gives them influence around the globe.  Third, Europe needs to be considered by Americans because of its vast wealth.  As of 2008, the average Briton is richer than the average American, even though US purchasing power remains higher than theirs.  Europeans are some of the most affluent people on the face of the earth, which means that many US corporations trade with them and that the US economy depends on a healthy European economy.  

 

This course is designed to help students understand Western Europe’s political and economic systems as they have evolved since 1945.  Numerous issues are dealt with in this class:

 

·        Economic development

·        Democratic development

·        State institutions

·        Party systems

·        Elections and voting

·        Public opinion and political culture

·        Social developments

·        Important political leaders

·        Key historical events

·        Foreign affairs, including US-European relations

·        Immigration and its impact on Europe

 

Due to the limited amount of time available during the semester, we will only cover a few of the countries of Western Europe.  Specifically, Great Britain, France, and Germany will be dealt with in this class.  The European Union is also considered.   

 

Course Objectives

 

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

 

·        Explain the development and current state of democracy in Britain, France, and Germany.

·        Discuss voting and election trends in Western Europe since 1945.

·        Understand the party systems and political institutions of Western Europe and why they are changing.

·        Comprehend the political implications of socioeconomic and cultural changes that have occurred in Europe since World War II. 

·        Discuss current issues of importance to Britain, France, and Germany. 

·        Identify key political leaders in Western Europe. 

·        Explain the creation of the European Union and its major institutions and policies.

·        Discuss the current state of the EU and the controversies surrounding its future direction.   

·        Understand the relationship between the United States and Western Europe. 

·        Understand how immigration has impacted European politics and society. 

 

*All provisions of the Longwood Honor Code apply to this course.

 

*Longwood’s attendance policy applies to this class. 

 

Course Requirements

 

·        Exams (50 points each): There will be two essay exams in this course: a midterm and a final.  See the course outline for specific dates of these tests.  

 

·        Debate group (20 points):  Each student is required to participate in a debate group for this class.  The instructor will divide the class into groups for this project at a later date.  You must cite books, journal articles, and newspaper articles for this project.  See the course outline for specific debate topics.   

 

·        Research paper (40 points): Each student will write a seven-page research paper (typed and double spaced) for this class.  This paper must have a specific research question, with a hypothesis, and cite relevant literature and data to buttress any conclusions.  Specific topics will be determined in consultation with the instructor.  This paper is due on 4/15.  You will also give an oral presentation of your paper, with the exact date to be determined later.  An instruction sheet detailing the format of this paper will be provided.  

 

·        Current events journal (20 points): Students will read – Monday through Friday – the Financial Times (ft.com), the Economist (available at the library and published once a week and at economist.com), and the BBC (bbc.co.uk) for this project.  You will read about France, Germany, and Britain.  Citing the articles that you have looked at, you will produce an essay dealing with these countries and ONE the following issues:

 

o       How are these countries dealing with recent immigration trends?

 

OR PICK THIS ONE: 

 

o       What economic problems/issues are these nations facing?        

 

This essay should be three pages long (typed and double spaced) and it is due on 3/18.   

 

*Student Conduct: Any student caught sleeping, talking, or disrupting this class will have points deducted from his/her final grade.  The penalty is 5 points for each infraction. 

 

*Computer Usage in Class:  Students are not allowed to use email, instant messaging, cell phones, or any aspect of the Internet during this class.  The penalty is 5 points for each infraction. 

 

 

*This is a writing intensive course.

 

*This is a speaking intensive course. 

 

Required Readings

 

Nicolas Sarkozy.  Testimony: France, Europe, and the World. 

 

T. R. Reid.  The United States of Europe.

 

Francis Beckett.  Gordon Brown: Past, Present, and Future.

 

Eric Langenbacher.  Launching the Grand Coalition. 

 

Several hyperlinked articles are also listed on this syllabus and must be read for this class.  They must be accessed on Longwood’s campus, not off-campus. 

 

Accommodations

 

Students with disabilities should register with the Office of Disability Services and inform the instructor of any special needs. 

 

Course Outline

 

1/15    Introduction to the class (readings: none)

1/17    Defining Europe (readings: Kagan at http://www.policyreview.org/JUN02/kagan.html; Guardian at http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1375495,00.html)

1/22    Historical context and key historical events (readings: none)

1/24    Britain: defining Britain, its history (readings: Beckett Introduction and chps. 1, 2, 3)

1/29    Britain, the state (readings: Beckett chps. 4, 5, 6)

1/31    Britain, parties, voting, and political participation (readings: Beckett chps. 7, 8, 9)

2/5      Britain, current issues (readings: Beckett chps. 10, 11, 12)

2/7      Britain, debate group (readings: Beckett chps, 13, 14, 15, 16)

            Topic:  Should Britain end its “special relationship” with the US?  

2/12    France: defining France, its history (readings: Sarkozy Preface, Introduction, chps. 1 and 2)

2/14    France, the state (readings: Sarkozy chps. 3, 4, 10)

2/19    France, parties, voting, and political participation (readings: Sarkozy chps. 5 and 6)

2/21    France, current issues (readings: Sarkozy chps. 7, 8, 9)

2/26    France, debate group (readings: Sarkozy ch. 11)

            Topic: Is France trying to undermine America? 

2/28    Midterm exam

3/4      Germany: defining Germany, its history (readings: Langenbacher Introduction)

3/6      Germany, the state (readings: Langenbacher chps. 3, 5)

            Germany, parties, voting, and political participation (readings: Langenbacher chps. 1, 2, 9)

3/11-3/13       No classes – Spring Break

3/18    Germany, current issues (readings: Langenbacher ch. 4, 8)

            Journal due. 

3/20    Germany, debate group (readings: Langenbacher ch. 6, 7)

            Topic:  Is Germany becoming a world power? 

3/25    European Union: what is the EU, and theories part I (readings: Reid Prologue)   

3/27    European Union, theories part II (readings: Reid chapters 1 and 2)

4/1      European Union, history (readings: Reid chapter 3, 4, 5, 8) 

4/3      European Union, institutions (readings: Reid chapters 6, 7, and Appendixes 1 and 2)

4/8      European Union, policies and current issues (readings: Reid ch. 9)

4/10    European Union, debate group (readings: Taspinar at http://www.currenthistory.com/org_pdf_files/106/698/106_698_123.pdf)

            Topic: Should the European Union admit Turkey?  

4/15    Video: the Marshall Plan (readings: none)  

            Research paper due. 

4/17    The evolution of US-European relations (readings: Kupchan at http://www.currenthistory.com/org_pdf_files/106/698/106_698_137.pdf; Risse at http://www.currenthistory.com/org_pdf_files/103/676/103_676_364.pdf)   

4/22    Research paper presentations (readings: none)

4/14    Research paper presentations (readings: none)

4/28    Final exam at 11:30-2:00