Comparative Politics - Fundamentals (Basic modul)

The module introduces the fundamentals of comparative analysis of political systems. It focuses on the main concepts, theories and methods of comparative analysis of political systems. Different political system types, and particularly democracies, will be systematically presented and analyzed comparatively in terms of their structures and institutions (polity), actors and processes (politics) and policies and policy content (policies). The content emphasized is thus: the methods of comparison, system theory, comparative political regimes, majority and consensual democracies, parliamentary and presidential democracies, veto players theory, electoral and party systems, political values and attitudes, interest group and social movement influence, and policy analysis in selected policy areas.

After participating in the module’s courses, students will be able to: define basic terms, concepts, theories and questions found in comparative political system analysis; to use basic scientific methods of comparative analysis; to identify structural elements of political systems; to understand fundamental operating logics of political systems; and to be able to identify the general conditions and factors determining system dynamics of political communities; and to reconsider criteria to the evaluation of political processes in different contexts.

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In a lecture format, basic concepts, theories and methods of comparative analysis of political systems will be presented using general examples. In accompanying exercises, these contents will be deepened and extended with the help of specific examples. As part of the course, students have the opportunity to consolidate the material learned with in-depth discussions and comments and to put it into practice themselves with concrete examples.

Course reserve readings, Online-Reader, PowerPoint, Exercises

Detlef Jahn: Einführung in die vergleichende Politikwissenschaft. 2. Auflage. VS Verlag, Wiesbaden 2013. Hans-Joachim Lauth, Gert Pickel, Susanne Pickel, Vergleich politischer Systeme. Schönigh, Paderborn 2014. Kenneth Newton, Jan van Deth, Foundations of Comparative Politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 2009.

The module exam consists of a 120-minute written exam in which students are expected to recall and remember basic theories, methods and empirical findings of Comparative Analysis of Political Systems without any aids (international students are allowed to use a German dictionary). Both knowledge and transfer questions will be asked, which must be answered with the help of independent formulations. Half of the exam content consists of questions related to the content of the lecture and half of questions related to the content of the exercise.