Comparative Regimes

Catalog description

This course provides an overview of comparative analyses of regimes as they relate to the field of political science. PL SC 555 Comparative Regimes (3 per semester/maximum of 9) This course focuses on the comparative study of particular types of regimes, including democracies and authoritarian regimes. It is designed for Ph.D. or M.A. students who have completed the foundational graduate statistical methods courses. The course examines current research on both the institutional structures of different political systems (e.g. the state, party systems, administrative structures) and on aspects of political behavior (such as political participation, interest groups and social movements, public opinion). Topics include theories of regimes, measures and typologies of regimes; formal theories of regimes; political institutions (legislatures, parties, and elections); political behavior; consequences of regimes for economics; and regimes place in current international relations research. Building on this literature, students will be expected to conduct replications or original research focused on these regimes.