Blog Discussion Group Ten

Blog post due at 11:55pm on November 24 and comment due at 11:55pm on December 1.

Iran

• In what ways can the global context influence Iran’s development from this point forward?
• What parallels can be drawn to the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia and the Islamic Revolution in Iran?
• Can religious identity sustain secular state institutions and serve developmental goals?

Blog Discussion Group Nine

Blog post due at 11:55pm on November 17 and comment due at 11:55pm on November 20.

Nigeria

• If you were a member of a particular ethnic group in Nigeria, what would be your attitudes towards democracy?
• How have the frequent shifts from civilian to military rule and back again exacerbated the country’s many social and economic problems?
• Are political parties the best option for divided societies such as Nigeria, or are there more efficient channels through which citizens can express themselves and be governed.

Blog Discussion Group Eight

Blog post due at 11:55pm on November 10 and comment due at 11:55pm on November 13.

China

• What changes did Mao make to Marxism and Leninism to make them more appropriate to the Chinese setting?
• Is it still appropriate to think of China as a “communist” country?
• Discuss the possibility of China’s democratization.