Session 1: Montesquieu and the Despotism Debate. Readings.

Session 2: Elie Kedourie and Modernized Despotism. Readings.

Session 3: Bernard Lewis and the Freedom Agenda. Readings.

Session 4: Francis Fukuyama and History’s End. Readings.

Session 5: Samuel Huntington and the Clash of Civilizations. Readings.

Session 6: Fouad Ajami and the Arab Awakening. Readings.

Session 7: Joseph Nye and Soft Power. Readings.