Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines the conceptual, philosophical and practical aspects of public policy analysis as it is conducted in government, universities, interest groups and policy research institutes. Specific attention is paid to the question of the role of policy research in the process of public policy making and the design of government programs and services. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

(Students who have taken POL 339 with the same instructor are not eligible to take this class for further credit.)

This course will examine the conceptual, philosophical and practical aspects of public policy analysis as it is conducted in government, universities, interest groups and policy research institutes. Specific attention is paid to the question of the role of policy research in the process of public policy making and the design of government programs and services.  After considering different perspectives for explaining what happens during particular stages of policy making, students will explore these signposts through both a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the dozens of Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (TRC) in different parts of the globe.

Six forms of coming to terms with a past tyrannical regime can be distinguished: 1. Amnesia (Postwar Germany, Japan, Spain, Russia) 2. Trials and Justice (Nuremberg, ICC) 3. Lustration, i.e. disqualification of collaborators with previous regime from public office (Eastern Europe) 4. Negotiated restitution (Canada’s compensation for abuses in residential schools, Australia’s similar settlements about land rights and recognition of indigenous minorities) 5. Political reeducation and memorials 6. Truth Commissions. Several of these strategies frequently are employed simultaneously or with different emphasis over time. Of all cases, two countries are particularly relevant : Germany, because of its barbaric past of Auschwitz and South Africa as an exemplary experiment of restorative justice with the goal of nation-building.  

Students will research such topics as: How many TRCs are currently operating in which countries? How many have completed their work in the past? What were the reasons and political pressures for establishing TRC’s in the first place? Which countries have resolved deep conflicts without TRCs and why? Which are the leading institutions and civil rights organizations lobbying for human rights (Amnesty International, International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ)? Who finances such lobbies and civil society institutions?  Number of members of TRC in each case - international or local? How were they selected and appointed? Qualification of members? Terms of reference, defined by whom? Were victims and perpetrator representatives included in the composition of the TRC? Did the TRC operate in camera or were deliberations public? What were the main stated goals - public education, public shaming of perpetrators, disclosure and confessions? Were material reparations included or only symbolic recognition of victims sought? What controversies/opposition did TRCs elicit? What overall impact did past TRCs have-did they contribute to good governance and stability? Which states apologized for which crimes in recent years?

There will be a 4 hour seminar each week.  Lectures, group discussions, presentations on selected readings and select films will be used to make this course a stimulating learning experience.  Students are expected to attend regularly, read widely and conscientiously and participate actively and critically.

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING: