huji2020/21

The transformation of Spanish American “territories” into a system of modern “national states” was a defining geopolitical event in the 19th century; however, several important dimensions remain understudied. At the macro level, Latin America’s contributions to the emergence of modern "international relations" and a "global economy" are often overlooked. At the national and local levels, important questions remain about the different ways in which this historic process has shaped the persistent weaknesses and governance challenges faced by Latin American states today.

Building on insights from politics, economics and historical sociology, this seminar offers advanced students (third-year undergraduates and postgraduates) a critical introduction to the formation of modern states in Mexico and Latin America (ca. 1820-1920). As part of the course, students will acquire the tools to situate the traditional literature on “historical state formation” within the context of global history and comparative politics, and to articulate effective comparative analyses of the outcomes of these trajectories in different periods/regions.