GOVT 86.61 Explaining Politics: Culture and Institutions

Why are some societies riven by violence? Why do people vote? What explains the prevalence of corruption across different societies? What explains scientific and technological innovation, and economic growth? Some political scientists think culture explains these and other interesting political outcomes; others appeal to institutions. In this class, we’ll explore what culture and institutions are, how they interact, and how they explain important features of our political and social lives. Readings will include a wide range of theoretical and empirical papers across political science, economics, philosophy, psychology, and sociology. We will also take up some related issues in the philosophy of social science about what social scientific theory is for. How do theories of culture and institutions help us figure out how to explain the features of politics that we care about? What does it even mean to talk about what a culture or an institution is?

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:SOC

The Timetable of Class Meetings contains the most up-to-date information about a course. It includes not only the meeting time and instructor, but also its official distributive and/or world culture designation. This information supersedes any information you may see elsewhere, to include what may appear in this ORC/Catalog or on a department/program website. Note that course attributes may change term to term therefore those in effect are those (only) during the term in which you enroll in the course.

Department-Specific Course Categories

Government