Course 2017-2018 a.y.

30487 - POLITICAL REGIMES


BIG

Department of Social and Political Sciences

Course taught in English

Go to class group/s: 31
BIG (6 credits - II sem. - OBS  |  SPS/04)
Course Director:
LIVIO DI LONARDO

Classes: 31 (II sem.)
Instructors:
Class 31: LIVIO DI LONARDO


Course Objectives

The main objective of this course is to provide students with a deeper understanding of the main features of the different political regimes. More specifically, students become able to understand

  • What democratic and authoritarian regimes have in common and where they differ.
  • How the set of formal and informal institutions within a regime affect the behavior of the main actors operating within the regime.
  • The different ways in which regimes change and evolve.
  • The challenges associated with democratization and nation building attempts.  

Course Content Summary

  • Formal vs real institutions across regimes.
  • Methods of selection of rulers: self-appointment, cooptation, elections.
  • Accountability.
  • Limits on rulers’ powers.
  • Repression, Propaganda, and Censorship.
  • Regime change: transitions, revolutions, and coups d’etat.
  • Democratization and nation building.

Detailed Description of Assessment Methods

For attending students

Written midterm and a written final exam covering respectively the first and the second part of the course.


For non attending students

Written final exam covering the entire material taught during the course.


Textbooks

  • Most of the course is based on scientific articles and/or other readings.
  • A complete list of mandatory readings is provided at the beginning of the course.
Exam textbooks & Online Articles (check availability at the Library)

Prerequisites

  • No formal requirements.
  • Introductory level course of Comparative Politics is suggested.
  • Basic concepts from econometrics and game theory is used throughout the course.
Last change 15/06/2017 16:06