1.To what extent can the increased salience of religion in the politics of many parts of the developing world be explained as a response to modernization? Using examples from the developing world, discuss the circumstances in which religion is politicized.
2. Comparing the three cases — Brazil, Pakistan and South Korea — which has been the most successful in terms of women’s issues, and why? Female presidents in both Brazil and South Korea were impeached. Do you think there is a gender dimension to these power struggles?
3. How important is it that civil societies in developing countries develop transnational linkages with global civil society if they are to address the international structures that have bearing on the domestic politics? What can the international community do and what should it not do if it wants to help develop associational life appropriate to liberal democracy in developing countries?
4. Social movements address a multitude of problems. Mention five areas that they often engage in. What features of the developing world may make us wary about using concepts and theories that were based on social movements from developed countries on social movements in developing countries?
5. Compare and contrast the features of a developmental state and of a ‘rentier’ Discuss, with reference to the experience of developing countries, the claim that strong and effective states are inconceivable without strong economies. Compare and contrast the features of a developmental state and of a ‘rentier’ state.
6. Is it conceivable that new powers in the developing world can provide an alternative to the ‘Western-inspired template’ of peace-building? What are the extra risks that vulnerable populations like women and children face in conflict? Has this changed over time?
7. How convincing is the argument that transition to liberal democracy is not the most likely outcome of political transition in large parts of the developing world? How do the conditions for democratic consolidation differ from the conditions that weaken authoritarian regimes and make democratic transitions possible?
8. Is good governance much more than a device to make developing world governments more accountable to the international financial institutions and global capitalism more generally? Does the developing world show that good economic governance and good political governance need not go together?
9. Why is the ‘Washington consensus’ so controversial and why have so many developing country governments moved towards implementing at least some of the policy measures that it recommends? Do you expect poverty reduction strategy papers or programs to make a significant difference to the way governments approach the problems of the poor, and if not, why not? 10. How can developing countries combine a strategy to gain the economic benefit inwards foreign investment with protection of their natural environment? In the developing countries Witt(whet you are familiar, whatnot. political changes would have to occur inside the country if development policy was to pay mot
