This course begins with a political economy perspective to explore the patterns of political and economic change in modern Latin America. It begins with the rise of industrialization, state-led development (ISI) and the emergence of populism in the 1930s-40s, the wave of military coups of the 1960s-70s, the processes of democratization and neoliberalism of the 1980s-90s, and the regional turn to the Left plus the emergence of a post-reform agenda in the 2000s. Part II follows by critically analyzing four middle-income countries from a comparative politics perspective (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico).
This course will investigate the causes and consequences of populism, revolution, military authoritarian and bureaucratic authoritarian rule, democratization, and neoliberalism on the domestic politics of these selected cases. It will also consider topics such as the 'weak democracy syndrome' plus critical issues for Latin American democracy and development such a violence and insecurity, inequality, social inclusion/exclusion, popular participation, social mobilizations, and the rise of indigenous politics. The course compares a variety of theoretical approaches to explain both change and continuity, and the differences that exist across the countries that have been chosen for in-depth analysis.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- understand the dominant patterns of political and economic change in Latin America;
- explain the differences in politics across the countries under study and of the contexts within which they operate;
- communicate an understanding of contested concepts in political science through written analysis and/or verbal presentation based on sharing ideas and group teamwork in the workshops and show whether or not they are applicable to solving real world policy and political problems in the region;
- compare and analyze complex problems of politics and development in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and through written analysis;
- structure and write a policy brief to solve a real-world policy challenge in a Latin American country by proposing a solution that has been tested elsewhere; and explain from a critical perspective why or why not it may be applicable or transferable to another context; and
- compare how disciplinary difference and varied theoretical approaches explain the persistent economic, political, and social volatility in the region and and evaluate its progress.
Indicative Assessment
- Essay or policy brief plan of 500 words (20) [LO 3,5]
- Written essay or policy brief of 2,500 words (50) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Quizzes x 3 (30) [LO 1,2,3,6]
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Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures, and 12 hours of workshops and workshop like activities; and,
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Kingstone, Peter. 2011. The Political Economy of Latin America: Reflections on Neoliberalism and Development. New York: Routledge.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4680 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6360 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3603 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | N/A |