State-Building and the Rule of Law Seminar

Why are some states able to achieve its leaders¿ goals whereas others are unable to do so? Why are certain states committed to the rule of law? How does state capacity and the rule of law relate to development? The State-Building and Rule of Law Seminar is centrally concerned with bridging theory and practice, and understanding the relationship of law to political, social, and economic change. The seminar introduces the key theories relevant to state-building generally and strengthening the rule of law in particular. This course expounds on the multidisciplinary nature of development--through readings, lectures, case studies, and seminar discussions--and asks how lawyers fit in and contribute to the process. Case studies will be used as a way to analyze international development and rule-of-law practice. The set of countries considered within the scope of this workshop is broad. It includes, among others, economically advanced states like Japan and South Korea, fast-rising economies like India, China, Rwanda, and Bangladesh, and economically-lagging states like Pakistan, Haiti, and Timor-Leste. Grading is based on participation and a research paper or proposal. The automatic grading penalty will be waived for research papers. The research paper may be a group project (Section 01) graded MP/R/F or an individual in-depth research paper or proposal, either of which could be the basis for future field research (Section 02) graded H/P/R/F. Students approved for Section 01 or Section 02 may receive EL credit or R credit. Automatic grading penalty waived for submission of the final work products. Stanford non-law students may apply for this course by submitting a non-law student course add request form available at https://law.stanford.edu/education/courses/non-law-students/ to Dinsha Mistree (dmistree [at] stanford.edu (dmistree[at]stanford[dot]edu)). Cross-listed with International Policy (INTLPOL 352).