POL 222T Politics and Society in the Baltic Region
The countries around the Baltic Sea are among the most progressive liberal democracies in the world and boast some of the highest levels of human development indicators. How can this success be explained? This course will take a comparative approach to the study of their political and social institutions. Readings and lectures will first review the Hanseatic League, an early confederation of trading cities largely centered in this area, and then focus on Germany and Sweden, two of the historical and economic powers in the region. The course will also look into recent developments in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, that broke away from the Soviet Union and have successfully rejoined the Baltic community. The role of Russia and current international relations in the region will also be explored. Assignments will allow students to explore specific historical, political, economic or cultural issues. The travel portion of the course will feature Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn and Helsinki, in order to get an impression of the socio-cultural vibrancy of this region. Lectures, meetings with local leaders, and visits to their spectacular Old Towns will provide the basis for understanding their recent history and present situation.