Comparative Political Systems

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This course offers a broad introduction to comparative politics, the subfield of political science concerned mainly with political ideas, institutions, and behavior within states. The course examines such themes as the origins and functions of states, formal institutions such as legislatures and executives, the variety and impact of electoral systems, the nature of democracy and autocracy, internal and external challenges to political order, and the impact of international and domestic factors on state performance. Discussions of theoretical and cross-regional issues will be accompanied by the treatment of individual countries and contexts. This course counts for the Comparative Government distribution requirement. The course is taught by Dr. Manuel, a research fellow at the Berkley Center and an affiliated professor in both the Department of Government and the McCourt School of Public Policy. Manuel has published twelve books and numerous peer reviewed articles. His scholarship has contributed to democratization literature in Portugal, with a focus on religion and politics.