Course Description
The historical, political, and cultural origins and consequences of political institutions, with emphasis on societal outcomes.
Athena 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