Comparative Institutions & Public Policy - POL00077M
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2023-24 |
Module aims
The aim of this module is to enable students to develop an advanced understanding of central questions in the comparative analysis of political institutions around the world. Students will examine most important institutional configurations across political systems, namely electoral rules, party systems, parliamentary vs. presidential government, models of public administration, federal institutions and models of welfare provision. As students engage with the operation and function of key political institutions, they will also be introduced to some of the most interesting questions and current debates within comparative politics. These include the analysis of the consequences of institutional configurations for government performance and political stability, the definition of democratic vs. authoritarian systems and the challenges for democratic governance under regional integration. To do so, it will develop comparisons across a broad range of countries that will include long-established western democracies as well as newer democracies.
Module learning outcomes
Subject content:
- Understand key institutional differences between political systems
- Analyse the implications of different institutional configurations for democratic governance and political stability
- Identify most important differences and similarities between models of welfare provision
- Understand key issues in the debate on democracy as well as on its challenges under globalisation
Academic and graduate skills:
- Communication skills - present clear and cogent arguments in both written and oral forms
- Interpersonal skills - through team exercises and case studies
- Research skills - especially using primary sources from international organizations and governments databases, as well as secondary sources.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Ongoing oral feedback through seminars and feedback and guidance hours. Written feedback within five weeks of submission.
Indicative reading
Gandhi, J. and R. Ruiz-Rufino (eds.) (2015) Handbook of Comparative Political Institutions. Routlegde.
Gallagher, M., Laver, M., & Mair, P. (2011). Representative government in modern Europe. McGraw-Hill.
Boix, C., & Stokes, S. C. (Eds.). (2007). The Oxford handbook of comparative politics. Oxford Handbooks Online.
Esping-Andersen, G. (2013). The three worlds of welfare capitalism. John Wiley & Sons.
Rodrik, D. (2011). The globalization paradox: democracy and the future of the world economy. New York.