SS486 examines states and state building in the modern world. Whether one focuses on international relations, comparative politics, or American politics, the state remains a critical component to our understanding of political life. Cadets in this course engage a robust theoretical literature that forms the foundation for an understanding of contemporary and future state building efforts. Throughout the course, we explore major theories of state formation such as warfare, economic development, and institutions. Next, the course adopts the view of the state and investigates a critical challenge confronting civilian and military leaders - why do some states become strong and others weak? Subsequently, we adopt the view of the civil society and examine state building dynamics from the vantage of those whom the state seeks to rule. Finally, the course examines how the state building project functions around the world through a variety of regional case studies. Cadets completing this course join a small but critical set of military officers prepared to lead and advise the next state building project.
