How Democracies Die After years of expansion since the end of the cold war, democracy now is in retreat. From young democracies in the developing world to bastions of liberal democracy in Western Europe and North America, democratic political systems are under mounting pressure. What are the fundamental features of this recession? What are the driving forces behind global democratic backsliding? Why do people support autocrats? In this course we will tackle these questions and discuss an array of factors that contribute to global democratic recession including the role of the political elite, failing institutions, eroding norms, and the role of ordinary people. In so doing we will delve deeper into economic and social causes of this decline. Our focus will span from global trends to individual cases such as Venezuela, Turkey, Hungary, India, the United States, and the Philippines. (Not open to students who have taken FYSE 1544) 3 hrs. Sem.

Contemporary Turkish Politics In this course we will study contemporary Turkish politics. Turkey is a secular, middle-income country with a Muslim-majority population. It is one of the few countries in the Middle East with democratic institutions, a NATO member, and a candidate state for EU membership. Turkey has also spearheaded the current global wave of democratic backsliding, its President Tayyip Erdogan curating his own autocratic playbook for other aspiring autocrats to emulate. How can we explain Turkey’s turbulent political trajectory? What are the ideological, cultural, and economic forces that shape Turkish politics? What role do external factors play in the country’s trajectory? How does Turkey affect its neighborhood? These are the questions we will explore through academic readings, political novels, films, and documentaries, as well as through occasional panels featuring speakers from diverse backgrounds.

Political Economy of the Middle East In this course we will study the complex relationship between economics and politics in the Middle East. We will use the theoretical and empirical toolboxes of economics and political science to better understand the joint evolution of political and economic structures/institutions and its implications for development and political make-up. We will address the following questions: What are the political underpinnings of divergent economic development and underdevelopment in the region? What is the role of the state and industrial policy in promoting economic modernization? What are the consequences of greater state involvement in pursuing industrial policy? Is there a political or economic resource curse? Main themes of the course include close relations between state and private business, crony capitalism, the military-industrial complex, international trade, human development, and inequality in the context of the Middle East.

Introduction to Comparative Politics This course offers an introduction to the comparative study of political systems and to the logic of comparative inquiry. How are different political systems created and organized? How and why do they change? Why are some democratic and others authoritarian? Why are some rich and others poor? Other topics covered in this course include nationalism and political ideologies, forms of representation, the relationship between state institutions and civil society, and globalization. The goal in this course is to use comparative methods to analyze questions of state institutions -- how they arise, change, and generate different economic, social, and political outcomes.

Politics of the Middle East and North Africa  This course is an introduction to important themes, concepts, and cases in the study of Middle Eastern and North African politics.  We will examine key political issues in the region, focusing primarily on developments since World War II and issues of relevance to the region today.  For the purposes of this course, the region is defined as the countries of the Arab world, Israel, Turkey, and Iran. The first half of the course introduces major themes in Middle Eastern politics.  These include state development, nationalism, revolution, authoritarian rule, the petro-state, the Arab-Israeli conflict, conflicts in the Persian Gulf, civil conflict, the rise of Islamism, and attempts at liberal reform.  The second half of the course examines how these themes have affected political development in a number of key cases.  Primary cases include Egypt, Israel, Iran, Morocco, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.   Students will have the opportunity to individually assess other countries of personal interest in the region.

Contemporary Conflicts in the Middle East The Middle East is known to be one of the most conflict-ridden regions of the world. In this course we explore the contemporary conflicts in the region and the basic motivation of major actors. Specifically, we will study the rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the wars in Yemen and Syria, and the Kurdish question in Syria and Turkey. We will study the causes and consequences of these conflicts at the regional and global level.

Qualitative Methods in Political Science This seminar offers a broad introduction to qualitative methodology with a focus on comparative methods for the analysis of a relatively small number of cases (small-n). This course will enable students to create and critique qualitative research designs in political science. The course focuses on recent methodological writings and includes several substantive examples from various subfields. Topics covered include causal inference, case studies, cross-case comparison, typological theory, case selection, process tracing, counterfactual analysis, and set theory. We will also discuss approaches to multi-method research and the use of mixed methods in political science.

International Politics of the Middle East In this course we will study the evolution of the inter-state system in the Middle East. Using contemporary International Relations (IR) theories we will examine the influence of great powers, regional states, transnational movements, and regional organizations on state interests, ideology, religion, and the region's political economy. Questions to be addressed will include: which levels of analyses are most helpful in understanding the complexity of Middle East politics? Which of the IR theories--realist, liberal, or constructivist-- best explain inter-state relations in the region? What other approaches may be useful in this endeavor?

Political Islam In this course we will survey the central questions in studies of political Islam, focusing on the emergence of Islam as a political force in the contemporary period.  Discussion will center on the following core topics: (1) the nature of political Islam and Islamic interests; (2) how Islamic political movements develop; (3) why Islamic political movements flourish or fail; (4) how Islamic interests are expressed in the political arena; and (5) what types of political systems are most compatible with politicized Islam? These questions will be addressed by looking at the general history of the contemporary Islamic resurgence and by examining case studies on Egypt, Algeria, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, West Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Sebnem Gumuscu

Reviews and ratings for Sebnem Gumuscu at Middlebury College.Sebnem Gumuscu teaches How Democracies Die, Contemporary Turkish Politics, Pol Econ of the Middle East and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Sebnem Gumuscu good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Professor Sebnem is an amazing professor and is an expert in the area of how countries experience democratic backsliding. Exams are fair, and she makes sure you know what will be on them. Discussions are super fun and engaging. Lecture is rich in interesting and relevant information that explains how the world works. Overall great class and a superb professor.

Great introductory course. Not too much work as the course is mostly reading and exam based. Discussions are interesting and Professor Sebnem is excellent. Would definitely recommend taking this course if you have any interest in political science. 

I enjoyed this class with Professor Gumuscu a lot. I found the material quite relevant and the lectures genuinely interesting. Sebnem is a very kind professor who cares a lot about her students' success. The workload was very manageable, and you know what to expect on the exams.