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§ 5 (1) 12 Vergleich politischer Systeme - Verteifung

Students acquire the ability to illustrate and explain the structure and function profiles of different democratic governmental systems. Moreover, they are able to individually analyse and evaluate complex phenomena from the field of comparative government based on relevant theoretical-conceptual approaches.

Political parties are key actors in modern democracies, performing a number of crucial functions. Firstly, they create a manageable number of consistent policy packages for voters to choose from. Secondly, parties establish a connection between governments, legislatures, and voters, making it easier to overcome the collective action problems inherent in democracies, while also allowing for effective representation and accountability. The course explores, firstly, what parties and party systems are, and how parties compete with one another. The course then analyses the political ideologies which parties represent, party families, the rise of new parties, and the transformation of the ideological space. Empirically, the course takes a comparative approach, with a particular emphasis on party politics in Europe. 

No specific methodological approach is favoured in the course; readings cover a wide range of approaches to the study of parties

30% of the grade will be given based on an assessed presentation and discussion; 70% will be based on a research paper.

Sartori, Giovanni. 2005. Parties and Party Systems: A framework for analysis. ECPR Press.

Ware, Alan. 1996. Political Parties and Party Systems. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Böhmelt, Tobias, Lawrence Ezrow, Roni Lehrer and Hugh Ward. 2016. “Party Policy Diffusion.” American Political Science Review 110(2):397–410.

positive Absolvierung der Pflichtmodule 1, 2, 3 und 7