Power and Politics in Today's World - DeVane Lecture

Overview

• Topic: Power and politics in the last 30 years since 1989
• Comparison with the previous 40 years of stability after WWII

Historical Contexts

Post-WWII Period

• Relative stability and prosperity in advanced capitalist democracies
• Underpinned by demographic factors and the Cold War
• Stability despite conflicts (e.g. Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam War)

Period Since 1989

• Marked by rapid change and instability
• Key event: Fall of Berlin Wall, symbolizing end of Cold War
• Transition towards democratization globally

Key Historical Events and Trends

End of Cold War (1989)

• Demise of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe
• Rise of democracy movements
• Notable exceptions (e.g. Tiananmen Square protests, China)

1990s Democratization

• Spread of democracy to Eastern Europe and beyond
• End of apartheid in South Africa
• Good Friday Accords in Northern Ireland
• Oslo Accords between Israel and Palestine

Early 2000s

• Enthusiasm for democratic capitalism
• Fukuyama's 'End of History' thesis
• Most countries transitioned to democracies

Political Shifts

2016-Present

• Rise of far-right and populist movements globally
• Examples:
  • Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) in Germany
  • Brexit in the UK
  • Donald Trump in the US
• Erosion of traditional political parties and rise of anti-establishment movements

European Context

• Unstable coalitions in Germany and rise of AfD
• Historical parallels to 1920s and 1930s politics

Course Objectives

Key Questions

• How did we get from a hopeful 1989 to the current situation?
• What are the challenges and prospects moving forward?
• How can we achieve a better political future?

Approach

• Integration of political science theories and historical data
• Use of new data from post-1989 to test conventional wisdom
• Application of normative political theory focused on practical implementation

Course Structure

1. Collapse of Communism and Aftermath

   • Dynamics in Eastern Europe, Russia, China, and Vietnam
   • Rise of a unipolar world dominated by the US
   • Neoliberalism and the Washington Consensus

2. New Global Order

   • Examination of democratization waves
   • Development of international institutions (ICC, UN Responsibility to Protect)

3. End of the End of History

   • Impact of 9/11 and the Global War on Terror
   • Resurgence of state capitalism and new global powers (China, Russia)
   • Role of business in political conflicts

4. Politics of Insecurity

   • Response to the 2008 financial crisis
   • Rising economic insecurity and governmental failures

5. Future Prospects

   • Analysis of voter sentiment misdiagnoses
   • Exploration of potential economic and political reforms

Logistical Information

• Lectures will be videotaped, and microphones will be used for questions
• Office hours for both Yale students and the general public
• Use of the New Haven Public Library for non-student access to readings
• Policy: No laptops, screens, or phones during lectures to minimize distractions

Summary

The course will explore the tumultuous political landscape of the past 30 years, examining the factors that have shaped it and considering paths towards a more stable and equitable future.