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Comparative Politics

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12 views

Comparative Politics

Uploaded by

milagros salazar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Course Outline: Comparative Politics

Course Title: Comparative Politics


Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate
Course Duration: 12-16 weeks

Course Description:
This course examines the major themes, concepts, and methodologies in the field of
comparative politics. Through the study of political systems, institutions, and
processes across different countries, students will gain insights into how
governments function, how societies interact with the state, and how political
outcomes are shaped.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the course, students will:
1. Understand key theories and concepts in comparative politics.
2. Analyze similarities and differences across political systems.
3. Evaluate the impact of political institutions on governance and policy
outcomes.
4. Apply comparative methods to examine contemporary political issues.
5. Critically assess the role of culture, economy, and social forces in shaping
politics.

Course Structure:
Week 1: Introduction to Comparative Politics
 Definition, scope, and significance of comparative politics.
 Historical development of the field.
 Methods of comparison: case studies, cross-national analysis, and statistical
methods.
Week 2: Political Systems and Regimes
 Typologies of political systems: democracies, autocracies, hybrid regimes.
 Concepts of state, nation, and sovereignty.
 The role of constitutions in shaping political systems.
Week 3: Political Institutions
 Executive, legislative, and judicial branches: structures and functions.
 Electoral systems and party systems.
 Federalism vs. unitary systems.
Week 4: Political Culture and Socialization
 Defining political culture and its impact on political behavior.
 The role of ideology and identity (ethnicity, religion, gender).
 Political socialization processes: family, education, media.
Week 5: Political Participation and Representation
 Voting behavior and elections.
 Political parties and interest groups.
 Civil society and social movements.
Week 6: Authoritarianism and Totalitarianism
 Characteristics and typologies of authoritarian regimes.
 Mechanisms of control: propaganda, censorship, and repression.
 Case studies of authoritarian states.
Week 7: Democratization
 Theories of democratization: modernization theory, cultural explanations, and
elite-driven models.
 Transitions from authoritarianism to democracy.
 Challenges to democracy: populism, corruption, and backsliding.
Week 8: Political Economy
 The relationship between politics and economics.
 Capitalism, socialism, and mixed economies.
 Economic development and inequality in comparative perspective.
Week 9: Conflict and Political Violence
 Causes and consequences of political conflict: civil wars, revolutions, and
terrorism.
 The role of the state and international actors in conflict resolution.
 Post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding.
Week 10: Globalization and Its Impact on Politics
 The impact of globalization on state sovereignty and governance.
 Transnational challenges: migration, climate change, and trade.
 Comparative analysis of global institutions (UN, WTO, IMF).
Week 11: Case Studies in Comparative Politics
 In-depth analysis of selected countries.
 Comparison of political systems, institutions, and policies.
 Application of theories to real-world cases.
Week 12: Future Directions in Comparative Politics
 Emerging trends in the field.
 Technological advancements and their implications for governance.
 Final reflections and synthesis.

Assessment Methods:
1. Class Participation: Discussions and debates on readings and case studies.
2. Short Essays: Analytical responses to specific comparative politics
questions.
3. Midterm Exam: Multiple-choice and essay questions covering foundational
topics.
4. Research Project: Comparative analysis of two or more political systems.
5. Final Exam: Comprehensive assessment of all course topics.

Core Texts and Readings:


1. Essentials of Comparative Politics by Patrick H. O'Neil.
2. Comparative Politics Today: A World View by G. Bingham Powell et al.
3. Selected articles from journals such as World Politics, Comparative Politics,
and The Journal of Democracy.

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