This module will compare political systems across the globe, examining both authoritarian and democratic systems, although focusing more on the latter. In particular the distinction between majoritarian and consensus democracies will be explored. In addition, students will seek to identify and explain variations and similarities in parties and party systems, electoral systems and voting behaviour, constitutions, legislatures, executives.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Understand the strength and weaknesses of the comparative method.
Display a familiarity with some of the most widely used theoretical and methodological perspectives in the field of comparative politics and an ability to relate them to the practice of political phenomena in the contemporary world.
Identify and analyse the differences between political systems, institutional frameworks electoral politics across the globe
Apply the frameworks of comparative politics to specific case studies
