POLn4002 Comparative Political Science

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2019
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Marek Rybář, M.A., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Marek Rybář, M.A., Ph.D.
Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Lucie Pospíšilová
Supplier department: Division of Politology – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites (in Czech)
SOUHLAS && POL402 Czech Policy Analysis && POL440 Modern Political Philosophy && ! POL401 Comparative Political Science && ! NOW ( POL401 Comparative Political Science )
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
After successful completion of the course the students will be able to understand key questions of comparative statics and comparative dynamics of modern political and social processes. Students will learn how to assess conceptualization and operationalization of these processes, their origins and impact, as well as to evaluate the epistemological questions related to their understanding.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Comparative method and comparative politics,
  • 3. Long-term development I (modernization, geography, natural resources)
  • 4. Long-term development II (institutions, demography, infrastructure)
  • 5. Origins of nations and states
  • 6. Governance, state capacity and political institutions
  • 7. Types of political regimes
  • 8. Mid-term exam
  • 9. Institutions of the modern state I (parliaments, cabinets,executive-legislative relations)
  • 10. Institutions of the modern state II (courts and bureaucracies)
  • 11. Democratic competition and political representation
  • 12. Organized interests and political participation
  • 13. Political culture
Literature
  • The Oxford handbook of comparative politics. Edited by Carles Boix - Susan Carol Stokes. 1st pub. Oxford: Oxford University Press. xi, 1021. ISBN 9780199566020. 2007. info
  • INGLEHART, Ronald and Christian WELZEL. Modernization, cultural change, and democracy : the human development sequence. New York NY: Cambridge University Press. x, 333. ISBN 0521609712. 2005. info
  • Democracy, accountability, and representation. Edited by Adam Przeworski - Susan Carol Stokes - Bernard Manin. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ix, 351. ISBN 0521646162. 1999. info
Teaching methods
The course consists of lectures and class discussions.
Assessment methods
Three in-class written tests, five position papers.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2019, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2019/POLn4002