INTS 200-01, Introduction to Comparative Politics, Spring 2011

Abstract

Comparative politics is both a sub-field of political science and a method of political study whose focus is comparing and contrasting different political systems. It seeks to enhance our understanding of politics by comparing the political systems, political institutions, and political processes of different countries around the world. In doing so, comparative politics seeks to address questions as to how different societies organize themselves politically; why some societies are democratic and others non-democratic; why many go through peaceful social change as others experience violent social revolutions; whether there is a link between type of regime and economic performance; as well as the consequences of type of regime for policy outcomes and citizen participation in politics. In seeking to address these issues among others, this course is premised on the concept of democracy. We will assume that democracy is a continuum and is predicated upon the manner in which political institutions and processes are structured in a given polity. Following a methodological introduction and an examination of institutional approaches, we will proceed to examine the different ways in which political institutions are structured around the world and their implications for governance, participation, and political outcomes. We will then focus on country-case studies divided into three sets on a democratic continuum. First we will focus on established democracies, including Britain and India; and then non-democracies including Iran and China, and finally transitional democracies including Mexico and South Africa. It is expected that at the end of the course, students would have: (a) gained skills for comparative political analysis; (b) enhanced their knowledge and understanding of the different ways in which politics is conducted around the world; and (c) grasped the consequences and implications for these differences.