School of International Service
American University

Comparative and Regional Studies
Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination

Spring 2007

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. Scholars in the field of comparative and regional studies rank among the most prolific producers of "middle range theory" in the social sciences.

a) What is middle range theory?
b) What are the strengths and weaknesses of middle range theory in scholarly inquiry?
c) Have comparative and regional studies in practice delivered in producing the hoped for outcomes of the proponents of middle range theory?

2. McAdam, Tilly and Tarrow claim that a revolution is merely one form of "contentious politics." How do they justify this claim? To what extent is McAdam, Tilly and Tarrow’s contention compatible with the work of Theda Skocpol and at least one other prominent theorist of revolution?

3. Theorists of nationalism argue over the degree to which nationalism is a socially constructed product of modernity or a phenomenon that has deeper roots. Assess the arguments in this debate, drawing on the work of at least three prominent scholars of nationalism.

4. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the project of political culture scholars (e.g., Ronald Inglehart) to survey "world values" and then to arrange them on a two-dimensional continuum?

5. What are the strengths and weaknesses that the literature has identified regarding presidential vs. parliamentary forms of government?

6. Various scholars have argued that a shortcoming regarding geography, institutions or policy choice is the principal explanation for the persistence of poverty in some parts of the world. Summarize and assess these arguments.

7. Why has democratization taken place? What does the scholarship tell us about the timing of individual democratic transitions, democratic consolidation and the likelihood that ultimately all countries will adopt representative democracy?