Occurrence | Teaching period |
---|---|
A | Semester 1 2024-25 |
The aim of this module is to enable students to develop an advanced understanding of central questions in the comparative analysis of political institutions around the world. Students will examine most important institutional configurations across political systems, namely electoral rules, party systems, parliamentary vs. presidential government, models of public administration, federal institutions and models of welfare provision. As students engage with the operation and function of key political institutions, they will also be introduced to some of the most interesting questions and current debates within comparative politics. These include the analysis of the consequences of institutional configurations for government performance and political stability, the definition of democratic vs. authoritarian systems and the challenges for democratic governance under regional integration. To do so, it will develop comparisons across a broad range of countries that will include long-established western democracies as well as newer democracies.
Subject content:
Academic and graduate skills:
Introduction
The comparative method
Democracies and dictatorships
Electoral Systems
Parties and party systems
Presidentialism versus Parliamentarism
Making and Breaking of Governments
Models of Public Administration
Autocratic Institutions
Democratic Backsliding
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Essay/coursework | 100 |
None
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Essay/coursework | 100 |
Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s feedback and guidance hours.
Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than 25 working days; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s regular feedback and guidance hours.
Gandhi, J. and R. Ruiz-Rufino (eds.) (2015) Handbook of Comparative Political Institutions. Routlegde.
Gallagher, M., Laver, M., & Mair, P. (2011). Representative government in modern Europe. McGraw-Hill.
Boix, C., & Stokes, S. C. (Eds.). (2007). The Oxford handbook of comparative politics. Oxford Handbooks Online.
Esping-Andersen, G. (2013). The three worlds of welfare capitalism. John Wiley & Sons.
Rodrik, D. (2011). The globalization paradox: democracy and the future of the world economy. New York.