Politics Workshop: Comparative Government

Catalog description

This course examines the similarities and differences of various political systems. It looks at political institutions, political parties and political cultures. The course will examine how these factors may or may not support democratic systems, as well as how political actors can manipulate and undermine democratic governance. The impact of external pressures on domestic politics, including regional integration, globalization and international crises, will be another area of study. Questions that may be asked include: What is required for democratic governance? What is meant by illiberal democracy? How do organizations like the European Union influence national policy-making? How do economic interdependence and globalization constrain domestic decision-making? How do we make comparisons across time and place?