Many countries find the transition from authoritarianism to democracy a difficult one.  Ethnic disputes often make the shift far more complicated.  Choose a country from the list at the end of the assignment that is undergoing such a transition, or email me at [email protected] if you have an idea for another that you would like to explore. Describe the country’s ethnic problems and make recommendations on the design of its government to help ameliorate them in a 4-5 page paper, excluding the bibliography.

Level of Democracy

Is the country a liberal democracy?  If the country is not fully democratic, why not?  More specifically, is it an electoral democracy that chooses its leaders through elections?  Are basic freedoms required for a free campaign, such as freedom of assembly and freedom of the press, limited by the government or outside groups?

Ethnic Problems

What ethnic problems does the country face?  What is the ethnic composition of the country?  Are ethnic problems relatively minor or severe? Has ethnic violence or civil war occurred?  Are problems recent or longstanding?  Have ethnic disputes become worse or better over time?

Government Structure

Central Government

Describe the current central government structure.  Does the country have a presidential or parliamentary system or something else?  Is there a unicameral or bicameral legislature?  How is the legislature and head of government chosen?  Does the military play a major role?

Decentralization

Does the country devolve much or little power to regional units?  Does government have a more federal or unitary structure?  Are there any ethnically based regional units?

Recommendations

Make recommendations on changes to the government structure that might help reduce ethnic conflict. Feel free to recommend changes (or not) to the organization of the central government as well as the level of decentralization or organization of regional boundaries. Explain why these proposed changes will help the situation, or why the status quo is preferable to change.  Be sure to base your recommendations in research on the country as well as the potential impact of changes that you suggest.

Sources and Style

Strong papers rely on multiple, quality sources.  See the first paper assignment for suggestions on sources as well as tips for writing an excellent paper. Freedom House collects excellent information on the level of civil liberty and democracy in virtually all countries.

Submitting the Paper

The paper should be 4-5 pages long, excluding the bibliography. The paper is due at the start of class on the due date.  Late papers will receive grades reduced by one-third for each day that it is late (e.g. a paper that would have received a B receives a B- if it is one day late). Please arrange to print it out in advance and do not email the paper.

In addition to turning in a hard copy of your paper, you also must submit your paper electronically on Blackboard. To submit the paper in Blackboard, click on Content, and then click on the assignment name. Feel free to turn it in early to make sure that you have cited sources properly. If you need to make changes, you are welcome to make them and then resubmit your paper electronically until the day that the paper is due in class. I would much rather students learn from their mistakes than catch anyone in an academic integrity violation.

Countries

Afghanistan

Angola

Bhutan

Bolivia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Burma/Myanmar

Burundi

Cameroon

Congo, Democratic Republic of

Côte d’Ivoire

Ecuador

Egypt

Estonia

Ethiopia

Fiji

Gambia

Georgia

Guatemala

Guyana

Iran

Iraq

Jordan

Kazakhstan

Kenya

Kyrgyzstan

Latvia

Lebanon

Liberia

Libya

Lithuania

Malaysia

Macedonia

Malawi

Malaysia

Mali

Mauretania

Moldova

Morocco

Mozambique

Nigeria

Pakistan

Peru

Rwanda

Sierra Leone

Singapore

Solomon Islands

Sri Lanka

Suriname

Syria

Taiwan

Tajikistan

Tanzania

Togo

Trinidad and Tobago

Uganda

Ukraine

Uzbekistan

Vanuatu

Zambia

Zimbabwe