School of International Service
American University

Comparative and Regional Studies
Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination

Fall 2005

Directions:

Answer a total of THREE (3) questions.
Each answer must be at least satisfactory in order to pass the exam.

For each answer, students are expected to demonstrate:
(1) a comprehensive knowledge of the relevant scholarly literature, and
(2) a solid understanding of the theoretical issues.

1. Lichbach and Zuckerman argue that scholars in the field of comparative and regional studies employ three types of methodologies: culturalist, rationalist and structuralist. Briefly present the ontological assumptions of these methodologies. Given these assumptions, to what extend can these different methodological schools be combined and used fruitfully to understand socio-political processes and outcomes?

2. Over the fifteen years, identity politics have figured increasingly in research conducted in the field of comparative and regional studies. Discuss two studies that have placed identity politics at the center of the analysis.
- How has the inclusion of identity affected our understanding of social phenomena?
- What implications (if any) does identity have for epistemological and methodological issues?

3. In recent years, has state power become increasingly fluid? And in what respects are civil-society organizations (social movements) contesting the Weberian rationale of the state? To what extent have theorists explained this relationship? Which ones? What are the strengths and weaknesses of their work?

4. The dynamics of economic reform are often represented by a J-curve. The J-curve capture how in state socialist and Import Substitution Industrialization economies, already in decline, the opening of trade and the deregulation of prices deepens that recession further. It is only in a second stage that these economies adjust to a new competitive environment, resources begin to be allocated efficiently, and recovery eventually follows. In other words, things get worse before they get better. This dynamic, however, poses serious challenges to the sustainability of these economic policy reforms, particularly in newly democratizing contexts, characterized by volatile electoral coalitions and fragile institutions. On this account, students of political economy have suggested different solutions to the J-curve conundrum. With references to at least two countries, and discussing relevant literature, first, assess the logic of the J-curve and, then, discuss possible ways of resolving this intertemporal problem.

5. Define democracy and explain its relationship to the level of economic and political development.

6. Present two or three prominent scholars' definitions of globalization and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each definition.

7. Some scholars claim that civil disobedience, revolutions and strikes are all examples of a larger phenomenon that they call contentious politics. Others treat these as analytically separate forms of human social action. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of each?