Course 2012-2013 a.y.

20270 - COMPARATIVE POLITICS


CLMG - M - IM - MM - AFC - CLAPI - CLEFIN-FINANCE - CLELI - ACME - DES-ESS - EMIT

Department of Social and Political Sciences

Course taught in English

Go to class group/s: 31
CLMG (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - M (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - IM (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - MM (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - AFC (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - CLAPI (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - CLEFIN-FINANCE (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - CLELI (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - ACME (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - DES-ESS (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - EMIT (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04)
Course Director:
PAOLO ROBERTO GRAZIANO

Classes: 31 (II sem.)
Instructors:
Class 31: GIOVANNI CARBONE


Course Objectives

The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to the major debates, topics, and methods of comparative politics with a particular focus on contemporary democratization processes and political regimes. The course is divided in two main parts. The first part begins with the introduction and discussion of the concepts of state, conflict, liberalism and democracy. The key notion of democracy, in particular, is the object of close scrutiny and operationalization. Special attention is devoted to the economic and cultural causes of democratization processes and to the modes of regime transitions in areas such as Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. Finally, the impact of democratic reforms on economic growth and welfare policies is examined.  
The second part is devoted to an in-depth analysis of the institutions and politics of advanced democracies from a political economy perspective. In particular, political participation and competition are empirically examined through notions such as preference, interest, information and partisanship.


Course Content Summary

  • State, conflict and democracy
  • Democracy: concepts and operationalization
  • Democratization: main causes and modes of transition
  • The effects of democratic reforms
  • Democratic reforms in Latin America, Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa
  • Political institutions in advanced democracies
  • Political participation and competition
  • Interests, preferences, information

Detailed Description of Assessment Methods

  • Oral presentation (or paper, maximum 5.000 words): 30% of the final grade
  • Written exam (75 minutes): 70% of the final grade

Textbooks

Coursepack

Exam textbooks & Online Articles (check availability at the Library)
Last change 27/06/2012 17:07