Conflict patterns in the world suggest that regions play an important role. Certain regions of the world appear especially conflict-prone and establishing political order and democratic institutions has proven to be difficult. This research seminar covers the current literature on conflicts, including civil wars and other societal conflicts, and the problem of establishing political order.

Introduction to theories of state formation, nationalism and post-nationalist processes. The seminar focuses on how these macro-historical processes have been conceptualized and evaluated in both the qualitative and quantitative empirical literature.