Peqod :: Classes - Columbia University Catalog of Classes

The term “kleptocracy” literally means “rule by thieves” and refers to the extensive grand corruption that elite rulers, allies and their family members engage in to privately enrich themselves at the expense of their populations. Traditionally, kleptocracy has been viewed as a scourge on developing countries, associated with greedy authoritarian rulers in conflict-prone, resource rich and/or aid dependent states. However, in recent years scholars and policymakers have increasingly become aware of the critical role played by international actors, institutions, legal structures and professional service providers that facilitate kleptocracy at a global level. Unlike other transnational illicit sectors such as narcotics trafficking or terrorism, many aspects of kleptocracy networks are publicly visible and perfectly legal. Overall, these networks function to enable the domestic plundering of these elites, the whitewashing of their reputations, and the exacerbation of vast inequality, both within the countries that kleptocrats systemically plunder and between the Global South and the West which receives and benefits from many of the proceeds of these corrupt activities.

The first part of the course (Weeks 2-5) examines the transnational actors, service professionals and institutions that facilitate money laundering by kleptocrats. The second part (Weeks 6-7) concentrates on how kleptocrats launder their reputations, by presenting themselves as global philanthropists or business professionals and by acquiring residency in other jurisdictions through the growing market for citizenship. The final part of the course (Weeks 8-10) examines recent developments in international policy efforts to counter kleptocracy, including incorporating such efforts into national security strategies, enacting extraterritorial legislation to punish corporate bribery, sanctioning individual kleptocrats and oligarchs, and amending libel laws in countries like the UK that are routinely used by kleptocrats to intimidate journalists and deter investigations into their dealings.

Finally, throughout the course we will grapple with the methodological challenges posed by trying to study and detect illegal and secretive patterns of behavior. What are the tools, resources and research techniques available to researchers and policy makers interested in making more evidence-based assessments about kleptocracy and grand corruption?

M 10:10 a.m.-noon
Instructor: Alexander A Cooley
CULPA: 22 h-index: 33 Info
4 points

Details

POLS BC3367

DEMOCRACY'S GUARDRAILS?

TR 4:10 p.m.-5:25 p.m.
Instructor: Marjorie Castle
Info
3 points

Details

POLS BC3407

COLL: BUILDING PEACE

T 12:10 p.m.-2 p.m.
Instructor: Severine Autesserre
CULPA: 19 Wikipedia h-index: 14 Info
4 points

Details

POLS BC3411

SOVEREIGNTY, DEMOCRACY, AND THE EUROPEAN

SOVEREIGNTY, DEMOCRACY, &

As a supranational organization—in which states transfer portions of their sovereign decision-making powers to the organization as a higher authority—the European Union is unique. The impact of this extraordinary organization on the ability of individual member-states to achieve promised goals of prosperity and peace is often the primary focus of analyses. But there is another important question: Is the European Union good or bad for democracy in individual states? This course examines the impact of the European Union on the politics of prospective, actual, and former member-states. The benefits and constraints of EU membership--indeed, even the prospect of membership--were expected to foster and shore up democracy, but the relationships here may turn out to be much more complex than imagined. In fact, since political backlash can result in states leaving the EU this is an urgent question for the future of the EU itself.

As a class we will explore the political impact of the EU—its accession processes, its policies, its institutional incentives, the constraints it creates--on member states. After introducing key concepts and acquiring and confirming a shared understanding of the EU itself (no previous background knowledge is required), we’ll look at how the prospect and the reality of joining the EU may affect political incentives and outcomes within individual states. We then switch gears and focus on Brexit, the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union, considering both its causes in British politics and its consequences for British democracy. Next we examine conflicts between the EU and individual member-states, most notably Hungary and Poland, over the rule of law. Our meetings on these topics will use both lecture and discussion. In the final weeks’ simulation you will make use of all you have learned as you play the role of a political actor from a particular member state in negotiations over revisions to the Treaty of Lisbon.

MW 5:40 p.m.-6:55 p.m.
Instructor: Marjorie Castle
Info
3 points

Details

POLS BC3418