Course Logistics

Political Science 3103:

Interchangeables, Influentials,
and Essentials

Selectorate Theory:
A Theory of Political Survival
Theory:

Getting and keeping power.

Can

we develop a theoretical framework that applies across regime

types?

What

does that theory tell us about those who oppose those in

power?
!

Empirics
Books
We

are full of carefully chosen examples.

will be trying to put those examples in a broader, large-n,

context

My Team
I

have two assistants (influentials?) this semester

Adrin
Betul

Lucardi

Demirkaya

Office
By

Hours

appointment

Start

with me, if Im not around, move on to Adrin and then

Betul (but, Ill be around)

Course Requirements
In-Class

Exams (2 X 20%)
Papers (2 X 25%)
Turn

to the scholarly literature for theoretical insights and

generalizations

Marshall

large-n data to provide solid footing for your conclusions

Presentations

(1 X 10%)

Turn

to the scholarly literature for theoretical insights and

generalizations

Marshall

large-n data to provide solid footing for your conclusions

Participation

+1% / 0 / -0.5%

Additional Policies
One-on-One
Due

Consultation

Dates
Attendance
Technology
Special Accommodations
Academic Integrity

Required Readings
Bueno

de Mesquita, Bruce, and Alastair Smith. 2011. The

Dictator's Handbook: Why Bad Behavior is Almost Always
Good Politics. New York: PublicAffairs.
Dobson, William J. 2013. The Dictator's Learning Curve:
Inside the Global Battle for Democracy. New York:
Anchor Books.
Additional readings (denoted with an asterisk) will be
provided by Professor Crisp.
!

Bring

assigned readings to class each day.

Questions?