Comparative Politics L2 PPE
Etablissement : ESPOL European School of Political and Social Sciences
Langue : Anglais
Formation(s) dans laquelle/lesquelles le cours apparait :
Période : S4
This course does not require specific prior knowledge, but a general understanding of political science concepts and terminology is recommended. Students should be prepared to engage with topics such as political regimes, electoral systems, and party dynamics, as well as basic comparative methods. Familiarity with reading academic texts in English and critically analyzing political phenomena will also be beneficial for successfully following the course.
The course aims to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the field of comparative politics and its methodological foundations. Specifically, it seeks to:
-Familiarize students with the comparative method as a central tool for analyzing political systems, institutions, and behavior.
-Deepen students’ understanding of key concepts and classifications in comparative politics, such as political regimes, party systems, electoral processes, and patterns of political participation.
-Equip students with the analytical skills to identify causal relationships between political phenomena, enabling them to critically engage with debates in the field.
This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts, methods, and debates in comparative politics. The course focuses primarily on the macro and meso levels of political analysis, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of political systems, institutions, and collective actors. At the macro level, it examines the structure and functioning of democracies and authoritarian regimes, the roles of governments and cabinets, and the processes of policymaking and welfare state development. At the meso level, the course explores the dynamics of political parties, party systems, social movements, and electoral representation, as well as the factors shaping political participation and communication.
