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Course ID: | INTL 4300. 3 hours. | Course Title: | Comparative Political Institutions | Course Description: | The historical, political, and cultural origins and consequences
of political institutions, with emphasis on societal outcomes. | Oasis Title: | Comparative Pol Institutions | Prerequisite: | INTL 3200 or INTL 3200E or INTL 3300 | Grading System: | A-F (Traditional) |
| Course Objectives: | The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the
both the origins and consequences of political institutions.
Students will explore why there is such a variety of institutions
observable, and what the differential effects are of such
institutions. At the end of the semester students should be able
to understand how institutions shape outcomes and the historical,
structural, and cultural factors that contribute to the creation
of these institutions. | Topical Outline: | 1) What are political institutions?
a) Formal and informal political institutions
2) Differences and similarities between American and European
political institutions
3) The historical preconditions of institution-building.
a) Nation building in Europe
b) Nation building in the United States of America
c) Transplanting political institutions: nation building in
the "Third World"
4) Major forms of political institutions:
a) Presidentialism vs. parliamentarism
b) Turning votes into seats: the variety of electoral systems
c) Parliaments: how many chambers?
d) Federalism vs. Unitarism
e) Citizen empowerment: referenda and plebiscites
5) Do institutions matter?
a) The effect of institutions on political representation
b) The effect of institutions on macro-economic outcomes
c) The effect of institutions on equality and well-being
d) Other effects of institutions | |
Syllabus:
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