COMP. POLITICAL SYSTEMS

Catalog description

Students learn to use comparative theories and methods to address major questions in political science and public policy. In comparative politics, we want to know how and why major political, economic, and social processes operate differently (or similarly) in different countries. We use these theories and methods to explore central questions in the field of comparative politics: Why are some countries rich while others suffer from dire poverty? Why are some democratic, while others experience various types of authoritarian rule? How do political institutions, such as federal vs unitary constitutional structures and presidential vs parliamentary systems, affect political outcomes? The course culminates with a research project in which students apply comparative methods to answer a question of their choice.