GOVT 479Seminar Comparative Politics

Catalog

Seminar in Comparative Politics (3) This course introduces the complex study of comparative politics; it provides students with a foundation in the methods used by comparativists and the subjects that form the basis of their studies. The course explores why and how researchers compare countries and look at the relevance of comparative politics to policy-making both domestically and internationally. Students consider subjects such as construction of the nation-state, the characteristics of democratic and authoritarian regimes, the determinants of regime type (including the role of economic development and culture), comparative democratic institutions, comparative political behavior, economic and political development and underdevelopment, as well as topical issues like political violence, climate change, and democratic backsliding. Crosslist: GOVT-679.